Embracing Imperfection: Why Good Enough is Truly Good Enough

My mantra for this year and beyond is going to be: Good enough is good enough. I know it’s not revolutionary, but for me, and I dare to say for a lot of us navigating midlife and menopause, it’s essential. We’re constantly bombarded with new "musts": Must drink water swished with a magic wand. Must have a skincare routine so elaborate it requires a degree in chemistry and an hour of free time you definitely don’t have. Must balance work, family, fitness, and meal prep with a smile. And don’t forget—you must age gracefully (whatever that even means).

So, I’m ready to kick all those “musts” to the curb and dive into the art of imperfection. It’s time to be unapologetically human, embrace the chaos, and reclaim joy in our lives. I hope you’ll join me. 

The Myth of Perfection

First, let’s acknowledge the giant elephant in the room: perfectionism is a fantasy. Perfectionism is like chasing a rainbow—you’ll never quite catch it, and you’ll miss all the beauty around you while you try. Perfectionism is the ultimate killjoy. It whispers in our ears: "If you try harder, you’ll finally feel enough," or "Once you lose that weight, you’ll be happy."

Except you won’t. Because the truth is, perfection is subjective, ever-shifting, and entirely unattainable. And, fellow menopausers, who has time for unattainable nonsense? Not me!

Why Imperfection is Beautiful

Imperfection is what makes us relatable, lovable, and—let’s be honest—a lot more fun to be around. Think about your favorite moments: Was it the perfectly posed Instagram family photo or the time your kid painted the dog’s tail blue? It’s the tail, for me, every time  (even if it’s not fun to clean). I once taught an entire group fitness class with jelly on my lips. I got up at 4 am that morning to teach the first class and ate my toast in the car, not double-checking that I had wiped off all the crumbs or jelly. After the class, I went to the bathroom and saw it. At first, I was mortified but it’s turned into one of the most fun stories to tell. It has helped me be better at not always having it “together.”

The class was still super fun, no one walked out because I had jelly on my face, and no one told me that I had jelly on my face because no one cared.  Imperfection isn’t failure; it’s showing up as you are, no filters or edits. And midlife is the perfect time to embrace this truth.

Practical Tips for Embracing Imperfection

Now, I’m not suggesting you ditch all goals and spend your days binge-watching Netflix in your pajamas. (Although, occasionally? Highly recommended.) What I am suggesting is finding ways to live joyfully, messily, and unapologetically. Here’s how:

1. Redefine Success: Success isn’t about hitting arbitrary milestones. It’s about progress, not perfection. Did you go for a 10-minute walk instead of a marathon? Celebrate it. Cooked dinner but forgot the side dish? Call it minimalism. Redefine success in ways that honor your effort, not some idealized outcome.
2. Embrace Imperfection in Fitness and Nutrition: Fitness and nutrition are two areas where perfectionism often creeps in. When it comes to fitness, there’s no perfect workout. The "best" workout is the one that fits your body and life right now—not the one you did 10 years ago or the one you might do a year from now. Maybe it’s a gentle walk, dancing in your living room, or lifting weights for 20 minutes. It all counts. Movement doesn’t have to be picture-perfect; it just has to be yours.

As for nutrition? There’s no gold star for eating kale three meals a day. Nutrition isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about flexibility and balance. Some days you’ll crave veggies; other days, it’s pizza and ice cream. And guess what? Both are okay. Nourishment isn’t just about food—it’s also about joy. So listen to your body and give it what it needs, not what some diet guru says it should want.

1. Say No Without Guilt: Midlife comes with an avalanche of requests: Can you volunteer for this? Host that? Solve global warming by Thursday? Practice saying "no" without guilt. A simple "No, thank you" is a complete sentence. 
2. Stop Comparing: Comparison is the quickest way to feel like you’re failing. Social media makes it tempting to compare your blooper reel to someone else’s highlight reel. Remember: behind every perfect post is a pile of laundry just out of frame.
3. Prioritize What Matters: Ask yourself: "What truly matters to me?" Midlife is an incredible time to refocus on what lights you up. Maybe it’s family dinners, quiet mornings with tea, or finally learning to salsa dance. Focus on what fills your cup and do it.
4. Laugh at Yourself: Life is messy—and that’s hilarious. Learn to laugh at your mistakes; it’s the best way to deflate perfectionism’s ego.

The "Good Enough" Toolkit

Ready to put imperfection into action? Here’s my "Good Enough" Toolkit—a collection of easy, practical ideas to embrace imperfection and add a little more joy to your days:

1. Try Intentional Imperfection: Challenge yourself to do something imperfect on purpose. Wear mismatched socks. Leave the bed unmade. These small acts of rebellion against perfectionism can feel surprisingly freeing.
2. Celebrate Small Wins: Give yourself a high five for the little things. Did you finally tackle that pile of laundry? Amazing. Remembered to drink water today? Gold star. Recognize your efforts, even when they seem small.
3. Create Space for Joy: Make time for what lights you up. Dance in your living room. Watch your favorite comedy. Call a friend just to laugh about nothing. When joy is the goal, perfection takes a backseat.
4. Practice Gratitude for the Chaos: Take a moment to appreciate the messy, imperfect parts of life. The dog fur on the couch? We call it Golden glitter now (we have two Golden retrievers). Shifting your perspective can transform the chaos into charm.

This toolkit isn’t about fixing your life; it’s about living it fully, mess and all. Keep it handy and pull it out whenever you feel perfectionism creeping in.

The Joy of Letting Go

Letting go of perfectionism is liberating. It’s saying, "I’ve done enough," and actually believing it. It’s giving yourself permission to rest, to fail, and to try again without beating yourself up.

And letting go doesn’t mean you stop caring. It means you start caring about the right things: your happiness, your relationships, your peace of mind. It’s about letting go of what’s weighing you down so you can fully enjoy what lifts you up.

This year, I’m going to try and embrace imperfection with open arms, and I’m inviting you to join me on this journey. Let’s tune out the noise, celebrate the messy amazingness of our lives, and focus on what truly matters. I think we’ll find that we can laugh at the chaos, savor the small wins, and show up exactly as we are—because that’s more than enough.

If this resonates with you, I want to hear from you! Email me at [email protected] and let me know how you’re planning to embrace imperfection this year.