I have a confession to make…

My name is Claire, and I’m a procrastinating perfectionist.

It’s nice to get that off my chest. Hopefully, I’m not alone in that confession. Procrastination and perfectionism can be a toxic combo, and it’s one that has caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. Although those tendencies still pop up from time to time, I’ve learned a lot of hard lessons about what perfectionism really is that have helped me recognize and overcome the mental hurdles that used to trip me up.

At its core, perfectionism (or my brand of it, at least) is rooted in fear—fear of irretrievably messing up, of letting people down, and of working hard and still failing. In moderation, fear can be a healthy, necessary source of motivation and discernment. But, perfectionism turns valid, helpful fears into roadblocks that stifle action and growth. In order to move past those fears, I had to confront the lies that tricked me into thinking of those fears as legitimate barriers rather than obstacles to be overcome.

I grew to recognize three common lies at the heart of my perfectionist struggles, and I’m ready to pass those lessons on to you.

Lie #1: I can’t start until I’m ready.

Ah, the classic excuse: “I’ll start tomorrow…or next week…or when I feel more prepared.” Sound familiar? This lie thrives on the idea that we need to have all our ducks in a row (or at least in the same pond) before we take the first step. For perfectionists, “ready” often translates to “infinitely prepared with 2.5 backup plans,” which, let’s face it, is an impossible standard.

The truth is, you’ll rarely feel 100% ready to begin something new. Whether it’s launching a project, making a big life change, or simply trying a new recipe, waiting for the perfect moment is just another form of procrastination. Perfectionism whispers that starting without impeccable preparation is reckless, but in reality, it’s brave.

When I realized what perfectionism really is, I decided to take a different approach: starting messy. It’s uncomfortable and vulnerable at first, but choosing to take small, imperfect steps builds momentum. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. All you need is the willingness to take one imperfect action and trust that you’ll learn and adjust as you go.

Lie #2: It’s not worth trying if it won’t be perfect.

This lie has robbed me of so many opportunities. Why bother if I can’t guarantee it will be perfect? I’d subconsciously tell myself. And so, I wouldn’t even try. To understand what perfectionism really is, you have to look beyond the surface—it’s less about doing your best and more about avoiding perceived flaws at all costs. If you’ve ever talked yourself out of a dream, a project, or even a conversation because you feared falling short, you know how destructive this mindset can be.

Here’s the thing: perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. Life isn’t graded on a scale of perfect versus failure—it’s about growth, learning, and showing up. This is why perfectionism kills creativity; it convinces us that anything less than flawless is worthless. But some of the most impactful art, ideas, and innovations I’ve encountered are far from perfect—they’re honest, heartfelt, and real. As a writer and speaker, I’ve realized that the words that scared me the most to share often resonated the deepest with others.

So, if you’ve ever felt paralyzed (like me) by the idea that your work won’t measure up, remember this: nothing will ever be perfect, but it can still be meaningful. Dare to try anyway. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s awkward. Even if it’s far from perfect. The value lies in the effort, not the outcome.

Lie #3: I already messed up, so it’s not worth finishing.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever checked out of something halfway through because it didn’t turn out how you imagined. (Yep, me too.) Perfectionists are experts at abandoning projects when they hit a snag because we’re so focused on the end product that we forget about the importance of the process.

When you dig into what perfectionism really is, you’ll see it’s less about achieving perfection and more about trying to control outcomes to avoid criticism or failure. Here’s the truth: mistakes don’t define your work—they refine it. Just because something went off course doesn’t mean it’s doomed. In fact, some of the best results come from learning to adapt midstream. You don’t have to toss the whole project just because it’s not perfect right now or give up when it starts to get tough. Keep going, learn from your mistakes, and trust that the process will teach you more than perfectionism ever could.

What Perfectionism Really Is