Perfectionism Was My First Armor
- 3 日前
- 読了時間: 2分
I didn’t grow up trying to be perfect.
I grew up believing I should be.
Perfectionism was my first armor—the way I learned to stay safe, to belong, to be worthy.
And for a long time, I didn’t question it. I thought it was simply how the world worked.
This is where that belief began—and what helped me begin to unlearn it.
Growing Up Surrounded by Perfection
I grew up watching my father create kimono using a traditional silk-dyeing technique passed down through generations.
His work is pristine, one of a kind, and executed with extraordinary precision.
In that world, perfection matters.
A single stain or scratch can reduce the value of a piece to a fraction of what it once was.
Every seam must align. Every detail must be exact.
I absorbed that standard quietly and deeply.
Everything had to look right, be presented right.
And slowly, I internalized a belief: if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t enough.
The Quiet Philosophy of Imperfection
There is a fascinating philosophy in this tradition—artists often include subtle imperfections, such as leaves eaten by insects.
Nature is not idealized; it is honored as it is.
But as a child, I didn’t absorb that philosophy.
I absorbed the pressure. I felt suffocated by a standard I could never fully meet.
Even when my father designed a kimono for my coming-of-age ceremony, choosing a Kabuki motif while I dreamed of musical theater, I felt the tension of two worlds inside me—tradition and individuality, expectation and desire.
Theater Taught Me a Different Truth
After graduating high school, I moved to New York and entered the world of theater.
There, I learned something entirely different.
Humans are not meant to be perfect.
We cry, we laugh, we fall in love, we get angry, we break down—and we begin again.
Our contradictions are what make us interesting.
Our imperfections are what make us human.
Through theater, I learned that every person carries their own motivations, values, and desires—and that no two paths to a fulfilling life are meant to look the same.
A Gentle Reflection on Perfectionism
So here is something to reflect on: Where in your life are you being especially hard on yourself for making a mistake?
You don’t need to change it. Just notice it.
If you notice perfectionism in your life, maybe it’s not something to judge.
Maybe it’s something you learned.
Maybe it once helped you survive.
And maybe now, you can begin to explore a different approach—one that feels more spacious, compassionate, and human.
And remember — even if today feels limited, how your life unfolds is Unlimited.
You Are Unlimited. 🌈
✨ If this reflection on perfectionism resonated,
you can explore the full story in the video — watch it here 👇
📩 Receive weekly insights on communicating your worth,
presence, and confidence — delivered straight to your inbox.
↓↓↓
