Growth Is Not Linear
Why we should embrace the zigzag
When life’s rug was repeatedly pulled out from beneath me, perfectionism became my first line of defense. I used it as a tool to develop myself, generating ways to avoid letdowns and mistakes. I was eager to control my surroundings and the future.
I prefer predictably. Such as predicting if the road ahead will have a sinkhole. And if so, can I have a map of multiple routes around it?
But there is not much we can control in life, a blow to my perfectionistic gut.
I had no tolerance for errors. But to live is to err. When perfectionism teams up with anxiety, I end up judging my journey, especially if it seems less than impeccable.
The truth is, perfection has no character. Like the human face. It is never exactly symmetrical. Studies have been done to replicate a mirror image of one half of the face to make both sides equal. Surprisingly, this produces an eerie result. It changes the face, rendering it less appealing, and observers typically prefer the slightly asymmetrical “before” picture. Because asymmetries and imperfections produce beauty and express our character.
One way to combat intolerant perfectionism and pursue personal growth is to understand that growth is not linear. We are quick to become discouraged when…
