If you’ve ever found yourself stuck, waiting for everything to be *just right* before you launch your website, share the post, or finally hit publish on your podcast—this is for you. Perfectionism can feel safe, but it often keeps us from sharing our gifts with the world. I’ve had to work through this myself, and today I want to share a few reframes that have helped me let go of perfectionism and move forward with more freedom and joy. ✨

P.S. Prefer to listen? Check out Episode 180 of the Bright Life Podcast: 3 Mindset Shifts to Let Go of Perfectionism or watch below.

How to Overcome Perfectionism and Move Forward

Perfectionism Trap #1: Believing You Need to Be Perfect to Be Safe

Most of us learned at some point that perfection equals safety—whether it was at school, in our families, or from the world around us. Getting straight A’s, doing things just right, or earning gold stars gave us praise, security, or approval. No wonder perfection feels protective!

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be PERFECT to be SAFE anymore. You’re an adult now, and you get to create a new belief. Instead of, “I have to be flawless,” what if your new belief is, “I’m safe to be human. I’m safe to learn. I’m safe to grow.” Give yourself the grace you’d give a child or friend when learning something new. You don’t need 100% every time—you just need the courage to try.

Perfectionism Trap #2: Thinking People Want Perfection Instead of Authenticity

When I look back at building my podcast, writing books, and starting my business, the things that connected most weren’t the perfectly polished moments—they were the real, sometimes messy, human ones. People don’t remember if I misspelled one word in an email, but they remember how I made them feel.

Your energy, your authenticity, your genuine heart—THAT is what people resonate with. Perfection doesn’t translate as much as PRESENCE. So instead of waiting until your work is flawless, focus on letting your ENERGY shine through. Your audience will feel it, and that matters way more than spotless grammar or studio-quality production.

Perfectionism Trap #3: Waiting for More Approvals to Start

Here’s the sneaky version of perfectionism: always needing one more certification, one more degree, or one more piece of validation before you finally feel ready. The truth? You don’t need to be the world’s foremost expert. You only need to be a few steps ahead of the person you’re called to help.

Think about it: there are clients and readers who don’t want (or can’t afford) the top expert in the world—they want someone relatable, approachable, and accessible. They want someone a few steps ahead of where they are, because anything more would be too overwhelming. They want someone like you—exactly as you are, today. Start where you are. You know enough. Share what you know. Keep learning as you go. If you wait until you’re perfect, the world will have already shifted to something new, and you’ll be starting from scratch again.

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At the end of the day, perfectionism is just an old safety mechanism. But you don’t need it anymore. You can choose a new belief system. Say to yourself: I give myself permission to do it messy. I’m proud of myself for taking imperfect action. I know I can help people exactly as I am today.

Perfection isn’t what makes an impact—your energy, your presence, and your willingness to show up do. So let go of the pressure, take the step, and let yourself be human in the process. That’s how you’ll build momentum, find joy, and actually get to live the big, beautiful vision you’re dreaming of. 💛

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