I’m writing this from my bed because, in my middle-aged brain, I forgot that I can hurt myself simply by participating in super fun activities. Snowboarding is said to be a super fun activity. Whatevs. It was awesome for three-quarters of my first run. I got a chauffered ride down the mountain, and during the first aid intake, they asked me what I could have done to avoid this accident. I answered that I could have gone even slower even though I was snowboarding like an old lady.
Hi. * Forrest Gump wave * I’m Jess.
I’ve been sitting on writing this blog post for a few months after putting this off last year because “my life was too up in the air” and “I had to wait until this one thing was over.” Then, in an attempt to convince myself that I was working in a forward direction, I completely redesigned the website and erased the content I wrote in haste last year. I love the new look and feel and will probably change it again. There was still no post. I was right where I started with a site that makes me happier to look at. I’m procrastinating, and I bet many of us do the same thing in different situations.
How often do we sabotage our goals because everything isn’t “just perfect” or exactly how we envision it? The end product, the look, the situation, life right now, and I’m sure I could come up with many more things that aren’t “just right” that are all a perfectly good reason to put off doing the thing, whatever that is. This is apparently my preferred method of operation. It drives me absolutely bonkers, and no matter how many little talks I have with myself over it, I will do anything else as long as it isn’t the thing. It’s a trap! It keeps us stuck, and we stay there trying to figure out how to get unstuck.
I’m not doing that anymore. I hate it. It stresses me out, so I’m writing this post. GO ME.
But really. What happens if it’s not perfect? Do people care? Will anyone notice? Is my life perfect where showing off this perfect little snapshot into my perfect life will accurately depict what’s reality? AM I OVERTHINKING THIS? Does any of this sound familiar?
To answer the above in order: Nothing. No. No. Not a chance. Absolutely. Yes
When we fall into the trap that everything has to be just right before we can present it in whatever form it’s taking, we are doing ourselves a disservice. We’re creating anxiety because we’re not actually moving forward. Some of us feel guilty that this THING isn’t happening because of whatever life throws at us. Some of us are very hard on ourselves for seemingly unable to achieve our goals and aspirations. It’s exhausting, and nothing is getting done. This is why it’s a trap. You get stuck in this loop of suck.
Some of us don’t even think about these things, so this entire issue probably sounds weird.
Now that I’m not doing that anymore, I can share my imperfect adventures on this very far-from-perfect blog. I’m no longer falling into the perfection trap and will extend the (best) new adventure of being my genuine self onto this space. I’ll continue to change the site’s look, just like rearranging the furniture in my house. I find it soothing, which will come in handy because the idea of putting things out there that aren’t up to the impossible standards I have made up for no reason is a bit terrifying. I’ll get over it eventually. Maybe.
So, welcome to Adventure Diggity. I’m trying to find the beautiful – the little joys, the things that make us smile, make life easier, and even the things that are hard but have to be done because adulting is stupid. And gluten-free recipes because we should all eat well while we’re doing this.