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Laundry piling up, deadlines breathing down your neck, and that nagging voice in your head saying, then the voice in your head goes,“You should be doing more. You should be doing better.” It’s like the universe handed you a to-do list titled “How to Be a Perfect Human” and you’re failing at every single line item.
But here’s the thing: What if the point of life isn’t to get everything right? What if it’s not about looking like you have it together, but about actually living a life that means something? Not the Instagram version of your life. Not the “what will they think of me?” version. The real, messy, wildly imperfect, purposeful version.
Because let’s be honest: perfection might look shiny on the outside, but on the inside? It’s exhausting. And spoiler alert, it doesn’t even exist.
Perfection: The Beautiful Lie That’s Killing Us
We’re told from a young age that we need to strive for perfection. Perfect grades, perfect looks, perfect relationships, a perfect career. And when we inevitably fall short, we feel like failures. Like imposters. Like we’re somehow less than everyone else who seems to have it all figured out.
But let’s break this down. Perfection isn’t real. It’s a mirage. A trap. And the more we chase it, the more we lose ourselves.
Take it from Brené Brown, who has built her life’s work around vulnerability and authenticity. She says, “Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.” But here’s the kicker: perfection doesn’t protect you. It isolates you. It turns life into a performance instead of something you actually experience.
And let’s not forget the most dangerous part of perfectionism: it keeps you stuck. You don’t start the business because it might fail. You don’t write the book because it might not be good enough. You don’t have the hard conversation because it might get messy. And before you know it, you’re living a life that’s safe but empty.
So, if perfection is the problem, what’s the solution? Purpose. Purpose doesn’t demand that you get everything right. It doesn’t care what your hair looks like today or whether your house is spotless. Purpose is about knowing your why, the reason you’re here, the impact you want to make, the legacy you want to leave.
Here’s the thing about purpose: it’s not always loud and obvious. It doesn’t necessarily show up as a lightning bolt moment. Sometimes it’s a whisper, a quiet pull in a certain direction. Sometimes it’s found in the things that break your heart or the things that light your soul on fire.
Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Your purpose isn’t just about what you do, it’s about who you are. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about living in alignment with what truly matters to you.
Think about Rosa Parks. When she refused to give up her seat on that bus, she wasn’t trying to be perfect. She wasn’t concerned with how history would remember her. She was tired, physically, yes, but also emotionally tired of a world that had no room for justice. Her purpose wasn’t loud or glamorous. It was simple: stand up for what’s right. And that simple act changed the world.
Progress Over Perfection
Living with purpose doesn’t mean you’ll never mess up. In fact, it guarantees that you will. Why? Because purpose requires action, and action is inherently messy. But that’s the beauty of it. Purpose isn’t about getting it right no, it’s about showing up.
Here’s how to start living with purpose:
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Know Your Values: What matters most to you? Family? Creativity? Justice? Adventure? Your purpose often aligns with your core values, so take some time to figure out what they are.
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Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Stop waiting for the perfect moment to start. Newsflash: it doesn’t exist. Take the first step, even if it’s small, even if it’s scary.
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Embrace the Mess: Life is messy. People are messy. You are messy. And that’s okay. Purpose doesn’t require you to have it all together it just asks you to keep going.
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Find Meaning in the Small Things: Your purpose doesn’t have to be monumental. It could be as simple as raising kind kids, writing a story that matters, or showing up for the people you love.
The Big Picture: Why Purpose Matters More Than Perfection
Here’s the truth: perfection is overrated. It’s a shiny, soulless goal that will leave you empty every time. Purpose, on the other hand, is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright hard—but it’s real. It’s fulfilling. It’s what makes life worth living.
As the poet Mary Oliver famously asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” You don’t have to have the perfect answer. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.
So, let go of the pressure to be perfect. Let go of the fear of messing up. Lean into your purpose, whatever it looks like, however imperfect it may be. Because in the end, it’s not the perfect life that matters. It’s the purposeful one.
And trust me, the dishes can wait.
Because this is what we do now
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