Letting go

[JenTwo]

I don't know if anyone does this but I have a habit of putting something off or not doing something at all because as a whole it won't be perfect. This applies in all aspects of my life.

I have this poor thought process in my head that things have to be done MY WAY and in order for that to happen I have to do it all myself. It's making my life more difficult than it has to be, I'm setting a poor example for my children and I'm secluding myself from others by doing so.

So I'm letting go of the thought that I have to do it all and that if it's not done perfectly it shouldn't be done at all.

[mamabear]

Thanks for posting this, Jenni. I struggle with this often, as well.

Check out this website on mindset theory - I think it's fascinating, and it explained some of the roots of my perfectionism:

MindSet: A Book writen by Carol Dweck. Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, and sports.

[Kbsmama]

Flylady has helped me some with this, at least on the housecleaning front...
"Housecleaning done incorrectly still blesses your family." I have to say it to myself quite often, but I continue to learn that it really is true.

But, I struggle with those same things. I've never really considered myself a control freak, either, but when I say, "Oh, let's go for a walk," and I'm met with whining and fussing, I tend to lose interest really fast. Outings with my kids never are like I envision them.

I, too, recognize my need to let go and enjoy things as they are and not be frustrated and angry because they are not what I thought they would be.

[stephanielynn]

what a great lesson. it's soooo true! i might be afraid to do this or that with isaac, and yes it turns out to be a little difficult, but he will come home talking about the simplest things. getting water from the fountain, riding in his orange stroller, etc.

i had been wanting to take ds to the laser show at stone mountain this summer, and we just decided to go last wed night. i had envisioned it one way, and we didn't have money to buy cool food and picnic with a nice cool breeze and then lay on our backs and watch the show. ummm...it was over 100 degrees that day, we were drenched in sweat, we ate before we left...dd screamed the entire way there (b/c she screams in the car now most times) and we almost turned around twice. but...ds had the absolute best time. he's still talking about it. it was a great great memory we made as a family for $8 to get into the park. i have a million examples like this.

good for you for catching this and changing!

[Katie]

Good for you Jenni.

I struggle with some of these things. It creeps back up on me and I spend a great deal of time beating it back. I'm also a terrible procrastinator so that doesn't help much.