Comments on: Addicted to perfection?

By: Cindy La Ferle’s Home Office » Blog Archive » Imperfect parenthood

Sun, 17 May 2009 13:37:10 +0000

[...] Instead we ought to be reminded that there is no foolproof, one-size-fits-all method of parenting. Motherhood is something we learn as we go along, and we’re bound to fall short from time to time. Meanwhile, I wish we’d all stop comparing ourselves to other moms, including the fictional Donna Reed “role models” embedded in our collective psyche. Parenthood is no place for card-carrying perfectionists. [...]

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:43:54 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for your comments! Like all perfectionists, I revel in praise

Betsy,
I wrote this essay more than 5 years ago (it appears in my book, Writing Home). I ordered it from the Isabella catalog: http://www.isabellacatalog.com/
but am not sure it is still available there. I will do a search and see if I can locate it elsewhere, and post the info here on my blog if I do –
Cindy La Ferle

By: Betsy

Betsy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:33:09 +0000

I love this essay! Where did you get that plaque? I’ve got to have it!

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:56:29 +0000

Wonderful post! It really hit a nerve with me — I consider myself a perfectionist and a procrastinator — they don’t mix, but you do learn to embrace your own quirky personality as you mature (or at least I hope that’s happening . . . )

By: debra darvick

debra darvick — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:01:33 +0000

Speaking of Lauren Hutton, she’s on the cover of J.Crew’s latest catalog. She’s smiling wide and that space between her two front teeth is there for all to see and celebrate.

When I was much younger I came across a magazine quiz, Are YOU a Perfectionist? I turned the page thinking — I can’t be a perfectionist, because if I were I’d be perfect; I can’t be a perfectionist, because if I were I wouldn’t mess up the way I do.

Realized only later what a perfectly perfectionist reaction that was! Perfection is a huge burden we all deserve to put down.

Great column, Cindy. Thank you. (Love the plaque, too!)

By: Only the Half of It

Only the Half of It — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Great post! Thanks. Always a good reminder for types like us.
But remember, even Lauren Hutton and Jamie Lee are probably not as cool as you think they are. Or at least, they probably don’t feel as you cool as you imagine they would.
I try to keep in mind that the many images we judge ourselves against (from books and works of art to faces on TV) are usually heavily edited, photoshopped or managed.

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:24:18 +0000

As always, love your post!

I just wrote a post about that very thing concerning my exercise regime the other day! As someone once asked me as I procrastinated on some inconsequential something, “Is great getting in the way of good here??” So true.

Some things are worth aiming for perfection on, maybe 2% of the things we THINK should be perfect RE: exercise…some push ups, lunges and dips at home may not be perfect but it’s head and shoulders above waiting for the ‘perfect’ time that never comes to go to the gym

By: Cindy H

Cindy H — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:09:51 +0000

Well said, Cindy. I struggle with this, too, and I’ve learned a lot from reading everyone’s posts.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:33 +0000

Thanks for the cyberhugs and great comments, Jan!

And Pam, I know what you mean about letting perfection control your work (paid or unpaid). It’s a struggle. When we do let go, I think our work is freer, better, more natural. But oh, I know how hard that is!

By: Dianne

Dianne — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:02:37 +0000

I LOVE this post. It’s a lesson that is so important and so hard to learn!! Thanks for writing it.