My theme for the A to Z Blog Challenge @AprilA2Z during the month of April is ~ My Life Is My Masterpiece ~ Lessons Learned
“Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect.”
Brene Brown
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Trying to be perfect keeps us from really finding joy in our lives. Whether it comes from the way we’ve been raised as a child or from our expectations of ourselves now as adults, perfectionism holds us back from spontaneity and being more emotionally responsive to others. “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never achieve it.” Salvador Dali
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(c) Mary Lou Q
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“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.”
Anne Lamott
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The 2016 A to Z Challenge #atozchallenge@aprila2z is 26 Days in April (No Sundays) of blogging using each letter of the alphabet as a prompt for each blog. My theme for this Challenge is My Life is a Masterpiece ~ Lessons Learned
![A2Z-BADGE_[2016]](https://meinthemiddlewrites.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/a2z-badge_2016.jpg?w=151&h=150){kind=icon}
Blogger users can also follow me at atozchallenge2016.blogspot.com
* Note: My letter sketches were made from ideas I found on Google Images. *
I don’t know a writer or artist that doesn’t struggle with perfectionism. I think its part of the creative mind. But to allow ourselves the grace to be “perfectly imperfect”- therein we will find freedom to create.Great post! Thanks
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That reminds me of the quote on my theme for AtoZ……’We are allowed to be both a Masterpiece and a Work in Progress, simultaneously’. Thanks! 🙂
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I struggle with perfectionism as well. At the same time, I realize that being perfect is not possible as everyone makes mistakes and fails. These are the same people who keep going and strive to be the best they can possibly be. ~Meg
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Being the best we can be! I like that, Meg! 🙂
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Great captures Mary!
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Thanks, Val! 🙂
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I love Brene Brown too! I am a recovering perfectionist. Don’t know why I bothered – it made me miserable. Good enough is good enough – my new mantra 🙂
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I like that mantra, Gulara! 🙂
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I’m a reformed perfectionist who needs reminders like these to help keep me on the mellow path. I think Anne Lamott nails it, as usual.
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Anne Lamott calls it like it is! We all need reminders! 🙂
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Inspiring thoughts and I love your art.
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Thank you so much, Lizanne! 🙂
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Going to bookmark this! 🙂
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Thanks, Dahlia1 🙂
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Perfectionism has always been an issue for me – speaking of Brene Brown, I just listened to a 5 min snippet where she said that perfectionism is our way to try to avoid the fear of criticism and rejection. “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.” Interesting that it’s a negative quality and not the positive one we assume it is. Leanne @ cresting the hill
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I think it is our way of preventing ‘someone’ from finding fault or blaming us which is a losing battle because others will find something to criticize and find fault with no matter what if they want to. Thanks, Leanne! 🙂
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Yikes – I’m an 8 out of 10
This is a great message to start the day with.
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Haha! I’m some of those too! Enjoy the rest of your day Joanne! 🙂
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Once we accept ourselves for who we are and realise that we are perfect the pressure is removed and we can enjoy our life and be happy. It doesn’t mean we stop trying it just means accepting that we are human and all humans have failings. Sue @Sizzling60 from
Sizzling Towards Sixty
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Yes! Life’s too short to be under that kind of pressure. Live in the now! Thanks, Sue! 🙂
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loved the Salvador Dali quote. Hard to stop trying to be the best. Guilt is a big motivating factor
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I like the one by Dali too, Daisy! It was so obvious you had to laugh! 🙂
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The quote is perfect .
If we want to be perfect …we can never be happy .
@dixita011 from
Cafenined words
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It’s true, Dixita! We’re perfect just as we are! 🙂
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I totally loved the first quote. We need to choose progress over perfection. It’s so important to look at life as a journey and not a destination.
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Thanks, Parul! I like Brene Brown because of exactly what you said. She makes it OK not to be perfect. 🙂
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