We all have this vision of what perfection looks like. We compare ourselves to others. We forget we’re all different people with our own unique skills that make us special. We forget to embrace our beautiful imperfections and instead listen to our inner critic telling us that we’re no good or that we can’t do it, and we give up leaving ourselves to feel discouraged and lowering our self-confidence and self-esteem, what if we stopped listening to our inner critic and just went for it? What if we weren’t afraid to be messy play, experiment and have fun?
Vision of Poised Perfection
Pitter, Patter, Pitter, Patter . . .
Little hands and feet,
round about again and again;
in circles without completion.
Boom, Bang, Boom, Bang . . .
falls to learn technique;
up against their own reflection.
Swish, Swoosh, Swish, Swoosh . . .
costumes sway in mingled whirlwinds,
with great attempts to win perfection.
I’ve always loved dancing, gymnastics, and figure skating, and their notability for the ability to move with such poise and gracefulness. Something that, to be honest, doesn’t come easily for me.
I’ve had problems with my ears and hearing since I was an infant, which in return caused problems with my balance. I frequently experience vertigo as a result. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t let that deter me from trying.
I’ve done a bit of both dance and gymnastics growing up. The thing I feel that tends to be my arch nemesis (or my kryptonite so to speak) is my need for perfection. ๐ Though I don’t truly believe in perfection, sometimes I struggle with my inner critic telling me I’m not good enough so why even bother.๐ฉ
Then I have to have a heart-to-heart and reassure that voice that it’s ok to make mistakes, that’s how we learn and grow. Recently a co-worker of mine asked me to join a ballet class with her and for a few days I wavered back and forth with my decision, ๐ถ some in part with good reason, but nothing I couldn’t work around if I really wanted to do it.
I finally decided to just go for it. I attended a class with her and I had a lot of fun. Granted a few times during the classes I had to comfort my inner critic and remind myself just to have fun. The dance instructor was just super bubbly and absolutely a breath of fresh air.
As a result of being willing to push beyond my comfort zone, I had a blast. Not to mention, I was reminded of an important life lesson when the dance instructor told how well I did and that I pick things up quickly, I was reminded of just how much we tend to get caught up listening to the critic in our head, that we fail to see things for what they really are. So next time your inner critic tries to tell you how awful you are or that you aren’t good enough, look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how awesome and fabulous you really are!๐คฉ
ยฉ The Sunshine Artist 2018
Jenna Gee
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Iโm glad you did not let your inner critic discouraged you. ๐โค๏ธ
Me too! ๐ I would have been missing out on a fun experience! I decided to sign up for a whole month (1x per week) of classes. And I’ve already decided I’m going to try some other fun activity that I’ve always want to try after that. I think it’s giving me more courage just to play and have fun with these experiences. ๐
Thatโs good to hear ๐
Indeed! ๐
โค๏ธ
Yes! I love this. Silencing the inner critic is so so hard, but when you do it, it’s so rewarding!
Thank you, I absolutely agree!๐ โค๏ธ
well written and well said!
Thank you, I’m glad to hear that it was a good read.๐
Well said!๐
Awww thank you! โค๏ธ ๐