But that’s just it, they’re YOUR expectations.
I tend to be really hard on myself. I sense the pressure of others’ expectations and then make them my own. I sigh at the piles of folded laundry on the couch that haven’t been put away yet. I am ashamed of the dishes in the sink from last night. There’s clumps in my brand new mascara. My shampoo doesn’t smooth my hair enough. I would have a nice manicure if it weren’t for that one broken nail. I get so distracted by tiny imperfections that no one else seems to be bothered by. And why should they be? I don’t notice other people’s flaws like I do my own. Even if I catch a glimpse of something, it’s no big deal to me. Oh, you’ve got laundry out too? Cool, I’m not the only one! At least it’s clean, right? No, your hair and makeup look fine, don’t be so critical of yourself. I understand your insecurities because I have them too.
And how about the mistakes that we make? I hate the feeling I get when I make a mistake. I hate the feeling of letting other people down. I even punish myself for “almost-mistakes,” you know, when something almost happens because you were distracted or forgot. I have given myself no grace whatsoever.
But that’s done now. Perfection is overrated. I refuse to be ruled by impossible standards. Yeah, I can do a lot of things, but not perfectly. And the more plates I spin, the greater chances are that some will fall and the others not look so graceful. I will do what I can.
Did you do your best? I don’t expect you to do better than your best. I don’t expect you to be perfect. There will be many tests to come and you will not get all of the answers right. And that’s okay. It’s okay if you don’t hit the ball every single time. The professionals don’t! In fact, the guy that had the record for most home runs also had the record for the most strikeouts!
Somehow, realizing that there are in fact OTHER imperfect people all over the place is very reassuring. It’s so easy to think that we have to be perfect in order to please others, and then we can be happy. The person that is hardest to please is the one looking back at us in the mirror. So stop looking so hard.
It’s okay to mess up. It’s okay to be less than perfect. It’s okay to (gasp!) lower your expectations to something attainable. (But don't compromise!) And if you mess up, make it worth it! Mistakes are a chance to learn and grow.
One fail does not make you a failure.
Keep pressing on, friend!