Perfectionism: A Search for Fault
“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.”
~ Anne Lamott (American best-selling author)
“Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.”
~ Salvador Dalí (Spanish painter, 1904-1989)
The pursuit of perfection might seem noble, even motivating. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find it’s really a search for flaws. Perfectionism tells us that every blemish, every so-called shortcoming, must be eliminated. And once we start looking, we’ll always find something that isn’t quite “good enough”—in how we look, act, eat, speak, or live.
No wonder diets are so seductive. They come wrapped in promises: follow the rules, and you’ll finally be your best self. They dangle a polished end goal that seems to offer worthiness, control, and approval. But in chasing that ideal, we stop valuing the deeper, truer kind of self-care that fosters lasting change. We stop trusting ourselves.
Trusting Your Inner Compass
Do you see the beauty in this mix of wild flowers? Or do you compare it to the “perfect” row of tulips?
When we aim for some distant, flawless version of ourselves, we disconnect from the truth that we are already whole. We forget that our body—along with our soul—has preferences, rhythms, and wisdom. When we let go of the rigid vision of who we should be and how we should get there, we start to move with more ease, not less. We move not from shame, but from aliveness.
Nature is a wonderful mirror when perfectionism creeps in. Is a sky ever the wrong shade of blue? Do we call the porcupine flawed because he’s not soft and cuddly like a kitten? Would we shame a turtle for being slower than a hare? Would we say a squirrel failed if she gathered 14 acorns instead of 22?
Nature doesn’t strive to be perfect. It simply is. And in being exactly what it is, it thrives.
When we cling to perfection, our attention narrows to what’s lacking. We overlook what’s already working, already beautiful, already enough. And in doing so, we rob ourselves of the pleasure, energy, and satisfaction that come from living, not just performing.
The antidote? Let yourself be “good enough.” Let your meals be good enough. Your to-do list. Your appearance. Your parenting. Your productivity. Your body.
The Freedom of “Good Enough”
“Good enough” isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about shifting them—from punishing to peaceful, from rigid to real.
And here’s the irony: when we stop chasing perfection and start trusting our own inner compass, we often find ourselves doing better—because we feel better.
Stay Attuned Tip
Try this experiment over two days:
On Seek Perfection Day, try to do everything as perfectly as possible. Notice how you feel. Notice how your body responds.
On Good Enough Day, let yourself be a creature among other creatures—messy, wise, lovable, enough. Move through the day with your humanity intact. Pay attention again to how you feel in your mind, heart, and body.
Then reflect: What was different?
Stay Attuned Affirmation
“Today, I choose to honor what’s good enough—in myself and in the world around me.”
About Eating Wisdom and Drs Karin and Hannah
We are two PhD level Registered and Licensed Nutritionists whose passion is to help others escape diet culture and to learn to use their natural, innate Eating Wisdom to, finally, find peace with food, eating and weight.
Copyright © 2018 Karin Kratina, PhD, RDN, LDN
What if your body was never the problem? This powerful read invites you to see your body through a whole new lens.