As we end another calendar year, it is common to reflect back on the year thinking of all the highlights and pitfalls and then turn to thinking about how we want to make next year better. We tend to imagine what life would look like, better, in the New Year. If we just acquired that something that we are searching for- the perfect look, the perfect amount of money in our bank account, the perfect weight, the perfect location to live, the perfect job, the perfect relationship- then, everything else would fall into place. The problem with better is that we miss good enough and we miss the contentment and happiness that can come from accepting good enough because good enough is not perfect; it is perfectly imperfect.
It is quite common to seek improvement in life, relationships, and in oneself and this desire is positive. However, sometimes, the desire for improvement and the perfect—-fill in the blank—-clouds the contentment and value in good enough. Good enough is imperfect, and when we accept good enough into our life, we can learn to roll with the tide and accept the ebbs and flows of life with a different attitude. When we let go of showing up the perfect way in a relationship, we can show up more authentically and feel more connected. When we stop focusing on changing our body to fit whatever mold we see as perfect, we can start to actually learn to like who we are and focus our energy on enjoying life, and when we stop trying to find the perfect place to live/work/play, we can find connection and happiness right where we are.
As we enter the New Year, perhaps instead of focusing on making it better in the pursuit of getting it perfect, we focus a bit more on allowing for good enough to be enough and focus instead on tolerance, acceptance of the now, compassion toward self and others, and willingness to show up more, as we are, in order to find true acceptance, connection, and happiness.