Tuesday, January 13, 2015

good enough

hello.

My name is Chrissy and I'm a perfectionist. A really awful perfectionist because pretty much absolutely nothing I do is perfect. I guess you could say I am a recovering perfectionist, I just wish they had meetings for it. I no longer actively seek out my next opportunity to be totally flawless, whereas I end up being not-even-close, and therefore, end up hating myself to some degree, depending on the enormity of the task. And I always claim that it just want to do right by you or my children or some outside source, but it's really just ME that ends up disappointed. I learned others usually don't expect as much from me as I expect from myself. So I think a lot about my imperfection. I judge it. I get mad at myself. I feel sorry for myself. I feel angry or defeated. Notice the pattern? Me, me, me, me, me. It's all about me. Which is really quite vain if you ask imperfect me.

Much like an alcoholic never stops wanting a drink, there are still parts of me that ache to be perfect. Painfully so in some moments. I just want more time to focus more on others and less on me. I actively seek out opportunities for good enough- which I am learning to simply call "good". I talk myself off ledges. I focus on what matters in the silver lining of my soul. It's pretty hard to unstripe this zebra sometimes. 

Sometimes I look at the perfect-perfectionists and I judge them. Their perfectly fixed hair. Their every single day shower. Their outfit - yes OUTFIT complete with accessories- not a mom uniform of tshirt and jeans when I am DRESSED UP. I'm mad at them for being SO much better at perfect than I am. I'm mad at them for always being so put together when I feel so darn scattered. I'm mad at them for always showing up on time, for the pristine inside of their car that does NOT look like the crime scene of a CSI show, for the bottom of their purse that does NOT have mystery goo crusted on it, and for the fact that their children eat vegetables. I don't know the last one for a fact, but I'm assuming.

But then I also feel sadness for them. Because they don't get the opportunity to name the three-- yes THREE huge rudolph zits on their nose they woke up with yesterday morning.

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Edited bigger to prove my point. Tony, Roberta and Jude Law by the way.That's their names. Why Jude? I just feel like he's kind of a zitty guy.

Perfect people either don't get zits at all or they aren't allowed to leave the house when they get them. That must be so exhausting scheduling your entire life around your cycle like that. They can't complain to their friend if they haven't pooped for 4 days. Perfect people are extremely regular AND they do not talk about bowel movements. Gross. Perfect people have a perfect reputation to uphold, and I imagine that is EXHAUSTING-everyone always assuming you can do it- and do it perfectly at that. I feel like I don't have nearly enough time each day to do all the things I need to do good enough,  I can't imagine how much time it takes to do it all perfect.

Perfect people can't lay in the mulch with their children and laugh over how HILARIOUS fake sneezes are. They would get their cute pants dirty. They would never eat tortilla chips and ice cream for dinner because that's unhealthy.

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They would never think that a 3 year old walking around wearing a too big beer hat is the funniest thing ever. They may even call it "inappropriate."

They don't ever get to sleep in because they are too busy blowing their hair straight and smooth and perfect. They can only be friends with other perfect people and perfect people are in short supply. It all sounds so exhausting. 

So I'm starting to realize that being imperfect is kind of a luxury.

And I'm also starting to realize that I don't know what's going on under the hood of ANYONE else's car. I bet perfect people are more like me than I realize. Maybe no one ever told them about the theory of good enough. Someone might have even let them think that in order to be loved they must be perfect. So I'm trying to extend the same grace and kindness to the perfects, as well as the imperfects like me. I'm tired of being an awful perfectionist. The truth is- I'd rather just be a decent human. Sometimes that's more than enough.

I also want to share these words I put on Facebook earlier today. They remind me that judging is never the option and none of us are ever alone...
_________________________


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I am that mom.

The mom I judged before I was even a mom at all. The mom who made me think- why are you out in public sister? You need to take that crazy mess of a child home and feed them or put them down for a nap or something. The mom I knew must ignore her kid, or at least deliver a hefty void of discipline. 

Now I am that mom. I am the mom at Home Goods store with a child screaming so piercingly that you turn your head and can't help but mutter JEEZ. I don't blame you, his most intense of screams still make me jolt. I am the mom not yelling at her child, not disciplining in this moment, not instantly gathering our mess of a family to run home. We are past the point of all of that. I am the mom who gathers her screaming son, set off because I said he couldn't have the saxophone toy. Sometimes I buy him something to prevent this moment that I don't always have the strength to weather. We sit for a minute on the floor and I hold him so tight that my love penetrates through to some of his pain. We rock back and forth for a minute while I shoosh in his ear to calm him. It's a Saturday and the crowd of people move so fast all I see are feet in a blur. There are so many moments in parenting that I have no idea what the hell I am doing. Moments that I wish someone could tell me the right thing to do. This moment is not one of them. 

I was born to do this.

We sit and rock for a few seconds, until the screaming falls in intensity. His face is purple and covered in tears and sweat. His hands shake in frustration and anger. He is certain if he doesn't get this toy he simply won't survive. I pick up his screaming, bucking body to carry him outside. He is getting so big and it's getting harder to do. I gather us up while my husband goes up to the register to pay. We sit out front where the cool January breeze cuts through the sound of his screams. Toy! Toy!! TOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYY!!!!!!! Greyson yells at me in a voice filled with rage and frustration. He gets louder, hoping it will make me understand. Not being able to really talk leaves you constantly feeling misunderstood. He's sick and tired of feeling misunderstood. Sometimes having autism really sucks.

And some look over in alarm. But most look with the kindest of eyes that love and support. Some with a sympathetic smile that says, "I've been there too." However my focus is on my son in my arms. He is beginning to calm. His sobbing transforms into exhausted shuddering. 

It hits me. I am that mom.

I am that mom, and these are strangely some of the most sacred moments of parenting. When it isn't easy- but it's still so good. When God reveals himself to me through my boys. I think back to that mom that I judged from years ago, and I understand important things about life I didn't know then. I'm grateful for the shift in perspective. 

I am that mom, and I am so lucky.



4 comments:

  1. You're amazing. Period. End of story.

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  2. You, my friend are perfectly imperfect - or imperfectly perfect. Your heart is what drew me to you. Anyone who loves like you do, and wants to make the world a better place like you do is nothing short of admirable. You are a zit nosed yoga panted guru and I will be the first in line to drink the Kool-Aide.
    I have always been a good enough gal. Eh, this house isn't perfect, but its good enough. This station wagon (cross over) isn't the perfect car, but good enough. I wondered if I was settling on too many things. You only go around once, shouldn't you strive for perfect? I'm trying to find the balance and forgive myself for having no desire to put the effort into perfect. I envy perfect - lots. But it sounds overwhelming, Maybe good enough has become my perfect? I think I found happiness in good enough. I hope you can, too.
    Love & happiness to you, sweet momma xoxo Miracle

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  3. I am really happy you wrote this post. I can relate to your desire for perfection. I try so desperately to be thank-up for all of the blessings I have, but find myself wanting more of myself. I beat myself up constantly for not being disciplined enough to lose 20 lbs, be in great shape, home cook meals for the family, be a better employee, be more present with Haydin. I find myself constantly comparing my life to others on Facebook and feeling like I don't measure up. It hurts my heart because I am so very grateful for Haydin, my husband and family and friends. Why do I strive for more? It all comes down to feeling like I am capable of so much more but am just being lazy, or what not. That I could be that much better of a Mom to Haydin if I put down my phone, was more present and did more of the fun Mom pinterest stuff. It all is magnified when it comes to his ASD. Could I do more? Would he be that much more along if I research more, worked with him more, instead of just playing and snuggling. I have never shared this with anyone, but if feels good to know that I am not alone in my striving for perfection with myself. The funny thing is I would never expect that of anyone I love. I love them just the way they are. Why is it so hard to love yourself the way you are? I hope you are enjoying your new home, very happy that they boys have adjusted so well. I know I am a broken record in saying Thank-you, I love this community you have built with your words.

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  4. You are such an awesome mum, chrissy!!! Thanks for this beautiful post. I also was the person, sometimes shaking their head at moms with screaming. Since I have my little son and I see a screaming child my first thought is: "thank God, it`s not my son right now". And my second thought is: how can I sent an encouraging, understanding smile towards that mom.
    Reading your blog is always like an enouraging smile toward me, and I thank you so much for that. Love from a recovering perfectionist:-).

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