Perfectionism in Wellness by Page Park
I've noticed we seem to have this obsession with wellness, being perfectionistic and rigid in our practices. I see this a lot in conversations with others when I'm at the apothecary. That rigidity can actually get in the way of our healing. Now, there is a time and a place for being rigid, but it's when it takes over and consumes us that things can get tricky.
I subscribe to the theory that our life is our medicine. So it's not just what we eat or the products we use; it's all aspects of how we show up. Here are some ways to release that grip of perfection:
1. The 80/20 rule. Aim for 80% consistency, 20% flexibility. Keep that 20% free from having to eat specific things or do specific things. If you "slip," it's okay; that's your 20%.
2. Our bodies are designed to heal. Sometimes our rigid thoughts and actions can get in the way of our bodies' innate work. Think about it: stress and rigidity create tension in the body, while ease allows everything to flow.
3. Give yourself grace. This isn't just a good idea, it's part of the process. Learning to give yourself grace gives you space to grow. We're supposed to have times of discomfort; going outside our comfort zone helps us do that. What does this look like? Maybe it's acknowledging you're tired and resting instead of pushing through that workout, or choosing what sounds good for dinner instead of what you "should" eat.
4. It's not just the practices or food we eat; it's our attitude toward them. We forget that our attitude is as important as the things we're doing to support ourselves. Our attitude toward it matters deeply. I've been guilty of this myself and have said things like "it'll take so much exercise to work off whatever I've eaten." These kinds of statements are more harmful than beneficial. Consider this: drinking green juice while resenting it does less for you than drinking coffee with genuine joy and presence.
5. Bring in as much lightheartedness and play as possible. These are things that actually help support us in our journey. We take things so seriously and forget that play and lightheartedness are actually the keys to our healing. When we play, we release more endorphins that help us feel better.
I would like to invite you to keep these things in mind as you are on your journey and remember that when we release perfectionism and get out of the way, our bodies can do what they do naturally.
