Redefining the Purpose of Perfectionism

 

The world seems to be a place where sometimes we cannot focus on our priorities, or perhaps we haven’t even set them yet. Having so many things on the plate and not being able to concentrate on just a few important ones often leads to frustration. And then we wish we could find that motivation we had back when we started from home, when we felt more inspired, more driven, and genuinely looked forward to what was coming next. We often believe it is the hope that everything will eventually be alright that pushes us to take action, more than the actual experience of things being “alright.”

Have you ever noticed how there’s often less stability right after something new begins? You may find peace in those moments, but not the ideal state of mind, because you’re still struggling to survive. And yet, that struggle, in itself, makes you feel alive. If it weren’t for this struggle, many would stop seeking goodness and never discover the peace that comes from enduring.

The next step after forming a good strategy is often just an illusion of progress. Eventually, yes, things do improve—but at what cost? Often, we trade our good times for difficult ones in the pursuit of making life better. And when that “better” moment finally comes, does it truly feel better? Not always. In reality, we go through a long process of making and transitioning, reaching a point where all we want is to redefine everything for ourselves.

At any given time, life might feel out of place—but perhaps it is only realigning itself, piece by piece, into what it’s meant to be. And yet, who can really say what a perfect picture looks like?

Those perfect times exist only in the realm of infinity. Life is in constant flux, and change is the only true constant in anyone’s journey. What if no one ever told you what perfection looked like—would you still imagine it, or would you simply create your own version and accept it as it is?

Illusions, perspectives, and imagination are what shape our lives, yet we continue chasing the idea of "perfect." For me, perfection has always been something created or followed by someone else for their own time and purpose. It existed to fulfil their sense of being. But for us, it's often just scattered pieces we try to join together, hoping to build something meaningful that might one day leave a legacy after we are long gone.

Things don’t carry meaning on their own. It's we who give them meaning, who assign purpose and extract goodness from them. Had the circumstances of time been different, we ourselves would have been different.

Everything that begins with a purpose eventually takes the shape of something. But when things don’t unfold as expected, there is no rulebook that says everything must be perfect for you. You’re allowed to make your own rules, play your own game, dance to your own rhythm, and carve out a purpose that reflects your soul.