(Video originally posted to social media in 2022)
Where are all my perfectionists out there? Raise your hands. There’s no shame in the healing game. Let’s talk about allowing yourself to make mistakes — and why it’s one of the healthiest things you can do.
One of the simplest ways to start loosening the grip of perfectionism is to allow yourself to make 3–5 small mistakes every day. When a mistake happens, don’t dwell on it. Instead, think “oh well” and move on. Mistakes are part of being human, and every one of them offers a lesson.
This practice came from one of my teachers, Tim Simmerman-Sierra, and it’s stuck with me to this day. If I forget an attachment in an email, I just send another message with the file. Instead of beating myself up, I learn: double-check my work next time. That’s it. No shame, no spiraling.
Think about the word mistake — it’s really just a mis-take. So take it again, from the top!
The truth is, many of us were programmed from a young age to avoid mistakes at all costs. This conditioning leads us to chase a sense of “perfection” that’s unrealistic, exhausting, and isolating. But perfection isn’t about having nothing left to add — it’s about having nothing left to take away.
When you start releasing the pressure of “right vs wrong” and “perfect vs imperfect,” life becomes more fulfilling. By giving yourself grace and practicing small mistakes daily, you retrain your subconscious mind to accept imperfection and open up space for growth.
So go ahead — allow yourself to make mistakes. Several a day. And see how much lighter life feels.
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