Perfection is Overrated

An intro on starting

Hello Friend!

I am attempting something astronomically insane for, well, me. I am writing a newsletter and not overthinking every bit of the process. The journey will be bumpy, I will be feeling out how to do this, the posting schedule might change, and the format I write now may change by the next article. I cannot promise permanence or perfection.

I can only promise you me.

I have struggled with the plaguing thought, “I am not ready to write something people might like.” I have written and re-written ideas. I’ve crumbled up countless pieces of paper that are never good enough. I have burned through my muse’s whispers, writing them in circles, desperately wanting to have it be just right. I have been, annoyingly enough, a perfectionist.

Here’s the thing, perfection is unachievable. If you struggle with this, please read that sentence again. Write it on a sticky note and post it somewhere you can see, say it out loud until perfection loses meaning. Write it in your palms, on the backs of your hand. Perfection is unachievable. Set yourself free.

Perfection is a trap and an excuse. I’ve used it to avoid sharing the poetry I’ve written. I have been using it as an excuse to not self-publish a project I’ve been working on for almost two years. I’ve been using perfection as a reason to not try.

I have a sticky note stuck on my laptop recently, it reads: imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.

I use these words as a reminder and a soothing balm. A little note to tide me over during my more neurotic days, whatever I can make now is enough. Whatever progress I make, regardless of my perception of it, counts.

I hope you beat up the urge to be perfect at something that you want to do. I hope you start. Perfection is overrated anyway.

Wishing you an imperfect start,

Dhan