… Image by Cathy Nichols (Sanctuary) …
(1) Effortless Perfection: Is it For You?
During the fall semester of my freshman year at Duke University, an article was published anonymously in our school newspaper. I think everyone can relate to this article on a different level.
While published in the newspaper at Duke, the issue of effortless perfection is evident on college campuses across the nation as well as almost every neighborhood. This article reminds me to strive for what makes me happy rather than solely for what makes others happy. Living in a structured box with no crayons is no fun!
“She worked hard on that exterior. It was important. Because what no one suspected was the demons that controlled her life, that had ravaged her self-esteem during her four years at Duke. No one realized how she felt from the moment she rolled out of bed to the early morning hours when she hit off the light. Like a failure. ‘Effortless perfection,’ the Women’s Initiative called it. Female undergraduates wanted ‘effortless perfection.’ It was the new catch phrase. She didn’t even want effortless perfection. Just perfection. She’d work for it. She wasn’t afraid of work. But she was fixated on the ideal, and sooner or later, it all began to come undone.” — An excerpt from Effortless Perfection
(2) The “Imperfection” Photography Project
Photographer, Jessica Hilltout, describes a powerful trip to Madagascar which led to her project, “Imperfection.”
In an interview, Jessica is asked, “What thoughts and concepts are you trying to express with this body of work?”
Jessica responds, “My world… people… privilege… perfection… This project was almost a reaction against that… (the machine and the manufactured, the excess of consumption, the lack of individuality, media and advertising’s influence, the conformity…).
Imperfection for me speaks of uniqueness, character, that which is not asceptisized, that which is made by hand, unique that which has lived a long life and has been respected and cherished. Less is more, little things are big… the ingenuity of people with so little who achieve so much (ex. Recuperating old metal, plastic etc to create new objects).”
(3) Accepting Imperfection as Beauty
Nicolle Camarata of Nicolle Shops Portland describes Portland jewelery shop, Rock On Jewelry Design.
“Features Earth friendly, funky neckwear (necklaces not ties) made from things found. Using natural forms of stones, shells and beach glass, local artist Deanna Wohlgemuth has created a jewelry line with meaning. Her focus and inspiration? …accepting imperfection as beauty. By doing this it allows the true beauty to shine through. It is after all, imperfections that make things unique. Each piece is wire wrapped in sterling silver and adorned with a balance of new, salvaged, and antique beads….” — Nicolle Camarata
Artist, Deanna Wohlgemuth describes her jewelry line: “I’ll never have two designs that are exactly the same. The wonderful thing about my work is that it can be viewed simply as unique jewelry, but the story behind each piece is often what attracts others to my art. My pieces are keepsakes, and they won’t be out of style next season. Each piece has a story, and the meaning and purpose behind the story is always fashionable because it’s genuine.”
(4) Be Happy Without Being Perfect
Be Happy Without Being Perfect: How to Break Free from the Perfection Deception (Author: Dr. Alice D. Domar)
- Listen to an interview with Dr. Alice D. Domar on BlogTalkRadio
- Great article and interview from Today Show
- Learn to be happy, without being perfect: Goals are good, but not reaching them isn’t the end of the world
Dr. Alice D. Domar, author of the book Be Happy Without Being Perfect, is a pioneer in the application of mind/body medicine to women’s health issues. She not only established the first Mind/Body Center for Women’s Health, but also conducts ongoing ground-breaking research in the field. Her research focuses on the relationship between stress and different women’s health conditions, and creating innovative programs to help women decrease physical and psychological symptoms.
(5) Girls who Draw present… Misfits (… and you really want to be part of this crowd)
- From the “Girls who Draw” Blog: Girls who Draw are an international group of all female illustrators each one with their own unique visual language. Their work is very diverse including slick digital graphics, quirky hand drawn characters, and humorous sequential imagery. Other than being women the main thing members of our group have in common is that we all make and sell our own work be it prints, t-shirts, artist’s books or other multiples. We got together in order to showcase our work to a wider audience. This has been the catalyst for our first collaborative project, a limited edition book based on the theme Misfits. We will combine our work to launch an exhibition of the same name in the UK during 2009.
- Check out each member of the “Girls who Draw” — Clare Power (Bogus Baby), Jess Bradley, Gemma Correll, Jane Anderson (Currentstate), Zoe Darnell (Mmm…Biscuits!), Yee Ping Kuit, Yee Ting Kuit, Tanya Meditzky, Karoline Rerrie, and Sarah Ray.
(6) Color outside the Lines
“By coloring outside the lines of her life she found her passion.” — Deborah C. Kracht
(7) A Ring with Magical Powers: A Reminder that it’s okay to be Imperfect
… image from Ordinary Courage Blog …
An excerpt from the blog entry by Brene Brown:
A couple of days after buying it, I found myself in a familiar situation. Someone needed wanted asked me to do something that I didn’t have the time, energy, or inspiration to do. Rather than saying “yes” right away, I stood there (looking crazy, I’m sure) and thinking. When I turned 40, I promised myself to be more thoughtful about saying yes when I really need to say no AND saying no when I really need to say yes.
As I stood there, I suddenly realized that I was spinning the little rings on my new ring. Each spin gave me confidence. It was a reminder about the real gifts of turning 40.
I said no. I chose discomfort over resentment.
Make sure to check out the blog post to watch a video demonstration of the ring in action!
(8) Creating a Collage
… image by megg on polyvore …
A collage: no guidelines, no checklist of items that must be utilized. The process of creating a collage forces us to think outside the box — to see items from a different perspective. Everyday items begin to look differently and a story unfolds.
You’re able to get out whatever you may be feeling — the good and the bad — mix it all together and create something beautiful.
A story is told as a result of a messy undefined process. You learn as you go.
It is that freedom — in those moments, when I’m simply focused on the joy of the moment. I feel weightless as if I can redefine the objectives — and we can at any time. Imagine if you had to define yourself like a word in the dictionary. Would you rather have a simple definition with a one line description or a definition with synonyms and antonyms, links to other words and no clear objective statement? I rather the latter.
Unclear and complicated, imperfection is filled with layers — layers that unravel and evolve. Layers that inspire. If life were purely a finished coat of paint, perfectly even — would that be beautiful?
(9) “If you can measure it, it’s probably not that important.” — Brene Brown
Trying to be Brave — Blog post by Brene Brown on Ordinary Courage Blog
Read this blog post, read the comments, and then re-read it over and over again.
The hard part of imperfection: letting go of perfection. Perfection feels safe — no judgment, no battles. Imperfection is scary. Admitting imperfection is even scarier.
Yet, remaining true to yourself and what you believe in is too important to neglect. I write this with more conviction than ever. It will likely be the topic of my next book (another book — one day!).
I am constantly being judged and analyzed by others. It is much easier to give in and be the mold that people want you to be. But to do so would be admitting to yourself that you are not enough. For me, that would be the ultimate betrayal to myself and to those I love and cherish. And particularly to those individuals who gave me the wisdom to know that life is too important to put on hold.
This picture reminds me daily what it means to be brave. I’ll never forget the moments I sat next to Kadeejah, holding her hand or creating collages. I never saw her without a smile — until she closed her eyes. And even then I felt that smile. Her birthday is tomorrow and I feel like it gets harder every single year to feel the loss within me. I realize now that I am scared to reveal that part of my life because it is so painful. Yet, it is also the most beautiful part of my life. The part that fills me with passion and courage. And so I continually try to be brave. I don’t think it’s something we ever master.
(10) Ordinary Sparkling Moments: The Video
Just watched! Strongly suggest watching this video by Christine Mason Miller inspired by her book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments.
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… Enjoy the Beauty of Imperfection …
… Relish the Unfolding Layers of Life …
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What do you love about imperfection?
At so many points in our lives and especially mine at this point in time, I find myself “not knowing” much more than usual. I’m in a period of transition after some time spent really grounding myself away from my 
Life unfolds every moment. There are good moments and bad moments. I am learning that even during these awful, yucky moments we have the ability to experience something beautiful. I am learning this through practice. Prior to becoming more mindful, bad moments meant dark clouds, tears, and sadness. I only saw black and white. I didn’t realize that there were other options. Of course, sadness is felt; however, it does not have to be the only emotion present. During rough experiences, I felt as if the only direction I could go was down. And so I went down… until my eyes finally opened and the pieces of my life started to make sense. They don’t fit perfectly together and I’m embracing that.