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I am reading pretty awesome book titled Pretty Neat The buttoned-up way to get organized & let go of perfection. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the co-authors, Sarah Welch, while I was at Blissdom in January this year. And then I happened to win a copy of this book during a giveaway a few months later over a Tree Root and Twig. I have finally gotten around to reading it and it is an awesome book!
You see, I have this part of me inside that likes to think she’s organized and has it all together. I LOVE shopping at Ikea and Office Depot and Target for organizational supplies. I am drawn to articles and blog posts that have awesome pictures of neatly organized shelves and drawers and closets. I think I am so drawn to it, hoping that somehow it will rub off by osmosis!
So for me to be drawn to this book is not unique for me, by any means. However, it is the subtitle of the book that really speaks to me and where I am in my life right now, and I bet it speaks to a lot of you. A way to get organized and LET GO OF PERFECTION.
The quest for imperfection
Many of my readers will remember the book I wrote about a few months ago called Good Enough is the New Perfect- Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood. You might like to go check it out if you have not read the post. It was an awesome book to help a mother define what is her new perfect as opposed to the perfect that has been imposed on us by culture.
This book, Pretty Neat, deals with perfection in the context of being organized and having your physical world altogether, as well as your schedule. It is not about how to attain perfection in these areas, but to learn what level of imperfection is good enough for you.
To decide what things are REALLY important and must be done and to also decide which things really aren’t that important to you so why are you even stressing about them in the first place?
And letting them go.
Without guilt.
Giving up perfection
Think of some areas in your life where you may have already given up perfection, for whatever reason.
- Making the bed each morning
- Kids getting bathed every night, especially during the winter
- Clean kitchen every day
- No clutter in the family room
- A clean car
Many of us probably have given up getting all these things done on an everyday basis, simply because life is BUSY. I encourage you to do 2 things:
- Accept that it is okay that these things aren’t done, or aren’t done very regularly. That it is okay. It doesn’t make you a bad momma or a lazy person. (I love my friend Stacey over at I’m a Lazy Mom! Check out her blog!)
- Find other things in your life that you can put on your Not To-DO list. Or at least not-to-do-very-often! Um, I cannot tell you the last time I washed the windows on my house. Maybe when we painted 10 years ago? Not important to me!
Benefits of being imperfect
The benefits from the 2 steps above are awesome. First, you free yourself from the guilt that you aren’t doing what you SHOULD. Guilt can be quite a burden and you don’t need to carry it around for things such as how organized or clean your house is. Release yourself!
Secondly, it gives you the time and energy to focus on what IS important to you. Instead of worrying about all those things you SHOULD be doing, you can determine what you REALLY want and need to focus on in your life, and do those things instead.
Another great benefit for all of us is this: When we allow ourselves to be imperfect, we give those around us permission to be imperfect as well. We can learn to encourage and support one another in our imperfect lives rather than trying to always prove ourselves to one another.
How do you rate on this? Do you have standards you are trying hard to keep? Or have you released yourself from them? What could you STOP doing to make your life easier?
I will be posting a giveaway of this book, Pretty Neat – The buttoned-up way to get organized & let go of perfection, later this week! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out! If you enjoyed this post, please share by clicking the buttons below!
PS. This post is linked up at Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out Click over for some excellent stories!
Really, I think we’re better off not striving to be perfect. I feel like anyone who strives for perfection is missing the Big Picture of our time and experiences with our kids.
liz recently posted..Why Home Depot Needs a Baby Registry
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bernicewood Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Absolutely. Striving for perfection can zap the joy right out of living. We’d all be much happier if we just accept our flaws, and that others around us are flawed too!
Bernice
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I had an expectation when I started staying at home that I could home school, blog, garden, exercise, deepen my relationship with God, my husband and my children, all the while keeping my house organized and clean. I have come to realize the only way I could this all is if I did not sleep at night! I am slowly accepting good enough, and trying to figure out what to place on my NOT TO DO list! However, this has really been a personal struggle.
Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith recently posted..There Are Many Gifts
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Hello! I found you through Basilmomma’s Blog Hop. Yes, I think it’s all about defining priorities…what’s really important in life. Have a great day! Sherri
http://www.FoodBasics101.com
Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/3nd53r4
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I’m a recovering perfectionist so I totally got this post Bernice!
I’m learning to love the little bumps in life. It’s part of the human experience. Thanks for sharing this!
Tanja from Minimalist Packrat recently posted..The Unstuffed Life
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First of all let me say, I love your blog! This is my first visit and I’m so glad that I visited. Your post is what I needed to hear today. I can so relate as I’m currently learning to just let go and not worry about perfection. I’ve realized that perfection is darned exhausting
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. I’ve subscribed so I’ll definitely be visiting again.
Dori recently posted..Our Backyard at the Yellow House
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I spent many years stressing myself out because things around the house were no longer perfect after the birth of my three kids. It took a lot of tears and illness for me to finally say to myself that it’s okay to be imperfect – the world isn’t going to end because the kitchen table has books and crayons on it. Because I was able to let things go, I am a much happier, less stressed, more present person.
Michelle recently posted..All About Herbs- Tips for Growing- Cooking- and Storing
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YES! Love this! So glad to find your blog, in addition to this amazing post. I’m in a PhD program (which lets you know right off the bat how much I strive for perfection that can never be attained–stupid academia!) and have had to really work on letting go of some of my pet peeves so I don’t drive myself TOTALLY insane. My latest quest at pooping on perfection has been to let the playroom be messy for a day or two–and even when it is clean, I am trying to let it go if things are not in what I consider to be the “right” places. It’s a PLAY-room, it’s okay (I keep telling myself). Baby steps, baby steps.
Beth recently posted..When I grow up
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Oh, girl. I can’t even try to be perfect. I hope for okay.
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I am hopelessly drawn to stores like Hold Everything because I think, if I just find the perfect (there’s that word again!) product, I’ll be able to get and KEEP my act together. Ay ay ay. I try to let myself off the hook but it’s a very conscious effort.
Christine @ quasiagitato recently posted..Girl Meets Pet Peeve
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Freedom from guilt is a big one. I need to let go of perfection too! I’m tired of trying so hard. I’m starting to realize I like begin imperfect more! Great post.
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Bernice, I enjoyed this post. I love the idea of a not-to-do list! I like the idea of finding balance and I’m glad I found your blog. I am following you from the Friday Blog Hop and Never Growing Stop by my blog and visit when you have some time. Debbie http://thriftygirlvintage.com
Debbie Baker Burns recently posted..Day 5- Zucchini Cake and Zebra Stripes
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It’s true I get bogged down in doing it just so, and then it never gets done.
Anastasia recently posted..The Best Daddy In the Whole World And Fart Jokes
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I love this blog post b/c it gives me permission to play w/ my horses without guilt! Letting go of perfection: http://t.co/FDiUxtb
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I love your blog. Such an inspiration and so helpful! I follow you on Twitter.
Jen recently posted..The View From Penelope’s Window…
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I love how you said that by not being perfect, we give freedom to those around us to not be perfect as well. Very well said. I need to remember that.
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Learning to let go of perfection ~ http://ow.ly/5Lpun #perfection
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Sometimes good enough is great! RT @womanonajourney: Letting go of perfection ~ http://ow.ly/5IoNx
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Letting go of perfection http://t.co/Y15RTz0 via @womanonajourney
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A great way to make space for your strengths! RT @womanonajourney: Learning to let go of perfection ~ http://ow.ly/5MHJq
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Decide what is Really* important in your life!“@womanonajourney: Learning to let go of perfection ~ http://t.co/7fdEoRL”
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