Life is all about striving for perfection. We all want to be perfect. Well, as perfect as we can be. Though, the truth is nobody is perfect. We all want to reach perfection but it just isn’t possible. Everything and everyone has its flaws. Including us. This leads me to the topic of this essay being, “Strive for progress rather than perfection”.

Through the trials and tribulations I have been through, I have realized that it is best to strive for progress rather than perfection. Progress shows growth which is ultimately what you should strive for. Life is all about growth and becoming the best versions of ourselves that we can be. The idea of perfection is unattainable but the idea of progress is. It is important to remind yourself of this whenever you catch yourself wanting or needing to be perfect. The idea of perfection is toxic and creates these unrealistic goals we may set for ourselves. So, setting your goals based around progress is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself.  

When doing something like homework, school projects, practicing a sport, or even doing your nails- it is hard to not want your work or your best efforts to be perfect. With math homework, trying to understand a problem over and over again until you finally get it. With sports, practicing again and again until you think you're the best on your team. With nails, starting over and over again until your nail is fully covered and there is no nail polish touching your skin. All of these concepts can make us feel like we aren’t good enough if we don’t successfully do something on the first try or if we aren’t perfect right away. That simply isn’t true as we all progress at different paces and something may come more naturally to some than it does for others.   

There is one experience in particular that sticks with me. I remember being a five year old little girl playing t-ball. I wanted to not only make myself proud but also my parents who were there to watch me and my teammates who were so supportive. Our team was called the “Comets”. I remember always getting it mixed up with the “Mets” as I thought we were named after the MLB team. Our bright orange uniforms still envisioned in my mind and the tiny gray baseball pants we all had to wear. I always loved feeling part of a group ever since I joined the team. I was up to bat and more nervous than ever. I thought, if I don’t get a hit then what am I worth to the team? Why am I here if I can't contribute anything?

 To be so young and want to strive for the perfection of my performance was setting unrealistic and harmful expectations for myself. Strike 1, strike 2, and finally strike 3. I was out. I knew it was just a game but I was still so upset with myself. After going back to the dugout, my dad consoled me. He told me I wasn’t going to get a hit every time and I needed to keep practicing to see progress in my swing. Once I heard the word “progress” it made me think. I don’t need to strive for perfection with everything I do. Rather, it should be progress as I will feel more satisfied with myself and the things I do. This motto has stuck with me throughout my life as I always find myself referring back to it.