The Gift of Imperfection: One Thing at a Time

Have you ever asked ChatGPT to roast you? I have. After that very humbling experience (IYKYK), I told Chat, in so many words, “Since you know so much and you got your little degree now, why don’t you give me some book recommendations?” It suggested The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. Funny enough, I already own it.

A dear friend gave me this book years ago—shortly after I had my first child, who’s now seven. But ask me how many times I’ve read it. The answer: I’ve started and stopped more times than I can count. It’s not because the book doesn’t resonate—it absolutely does. The subtitle alone, “Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are,” feels like it was written just for me.

And yet, I’ve avoided fully committing to it. Why? Because it’s hard to sit with the truth that imperfection is not only okay but necessary.

Expecting Magic Overnight

This week reminded me just how much I need that message. Life feels full right now. I recently went back to work after giving birth to our third child. This time, I had a C-section, and let me tell you, the recovery has been an entirely different experience. All the things—physically, mentally, emotionally. It’s been a journey of adjusting and trying to find balance, but mostly learning to give myself grace. I’m juggling work, home, breastfeeding, and trying to figure out how to balance it all. Somewhere in the mix, I convinced myself that I should be able to transform into that girl overnight.

You know the one: the 4:30 AM girlie who gets up, feeds the baby, crushes her morning routine, tackles her to-do list, moves mountains at work, and does it all with ease.

I told myself, This week is the week! I’m going to wake up at 4:30, crush my goals, stick to a routine, and make it all happen. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. None of it did.

The Weight of Invisible Expectations

If you’re anything like me, you probably have this invisible checklist in your mind. It’s filled with things you think you should be doing, based on some impossible standard you didn’t even consciously agree to.

I’ve been holding myself to expectations that don’t even make sense for the season I’m in. And when I inevitably fell short, I felt like a failure.

But here’s what I’m realizing: Sometimes, the biggest gift we can give ourselves is permission to stop. Stop trying to do it all. Stop holding ourselves to standards that don’t fit our lives. Stop pretending we can fix everything overnight.

Task Paralysis and Giving Grace

One of my biggest struggles is task paralysis. I’ll spend hours preparing to start a task—setting up productivity apps, tweaking my routine, trying to “get in the zone”—but the truth is, I’m overwhelmed. I busy myself with planning because the actual work feels daunting.

This week, I had to admit to myself that it’s okay to take small steps. Saying yes to one thing often means saying no to something else. And that’s not failure—it’s balance.

The Bible reminds us that we all fall short. Perfection isn’t required for growth. Growth happens one step at a time, in the middle of the mess, with all the imperfection intact.

Embracing Where You Are

Here’s what I’m learning (and trying to practice):

• You don’t have to wake up at 4:30 AM to be productive.

• You don’t have to meet every expectation, real or imagined.

• You don’t have to “fix” yourself or your life in a week.

You just have to start. Take one small step. Forgive yourself for not having it all figured out.

I don’t want to be cliché or tell an untruth by saying that who I am right now is enough. So I won’t. But I will say this: who I am right now is necessary and worthy of being embraced. Because when we talk about “enough,” whose measuring stick are we even using?

Maybe the real gift of imperfection is realizing we don’t have to measure ourselves at all. And maybe this time, I’ll finally finish the book. Not because I need it to “fix” me, but because it’s time to fully embrace what it’s trying to teach me: that imperfection is a gift.

The Gift of Imperfection

Imperfection is a gift because it creates the space for us to fully rely on God. When we embrace our flaws, we’re reminded that we can’t do it all on our own. It’s in our weaknesses that God’s strength shines through, showing us that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved or to fulfill our purpose. Our imperfections invite grace into our lives, drawing us closer to His wisdom, guidance, and provision. Surrendering our need for control and perfection deepens our relationship with Him, revealing that our imperfections are not something to fear but an opportunity to experience His power and love in ways we never could if we were perfect. So, today, just in time for Christmas, let’s embrace the gift of imperfection. Instead of striving for the impossible standard of perfection, let’s allow ourselves the freedom to be exactly where we are—flaws, struggles, and all. In this season of grace and renewal, may we find peace in knowing that our imperfections are not only accepted, but also part of the beautiful, messy journey that draws us closer to God. Perfect doesn’t exist—but His love and grace do, and that’s all we really need.

Practical Tips for Embracing Imperfection

I know that sometimes concepts like “embracing imperfection” and “giving yourself grace” can feel a bit abstract, especially when we’re in the thick of it. So, here are some practical tips to help us navigate this season of releasing the need to be perfect:

1. Set realistic expectations – Rather than striving for a flawless outcome, focus on what’s achievable given your current circumstances. It’s okay to lower the bar when needed and honor where you are in your journey.

2. Embrace “good enough” – Perfection can be paralyzing. Instead of trying to get everything just right, aim for progress, not perfection. Sometimes, “good enough” is all that’s needed.

3. Give yourself permission to rest – It’s okay to take breaks, even if it means not ticking off every box on your to-do list. Resting is a vital part of productivity and growth.

4. Practice gratitude daily – Take a moment each day to acknowledge what’s going well, no matter how small. It can shift your perspective from focusing on what’s lacking to appreciating what is present.

5. Release comparison – Stop measuring yourself against others, especially during a season when social media highlights seem to set unrealistic standards. Your journey is unique, and so is your pace.

6. Celebrate the small wins – Each step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Celebrate your victories along the way, even if they don’t feel monumental.

7. Pray and surrender – Take time to invite God into your day and release the need to control everything. Ask for peace in knowing that He is with you, guiding you, even in your imperfections.