Good enough is better than perfect

I was with a client the other day, and we were working on organizing her linen closet. I don’t know if you struggle with fitted sheets, but I do! They are my arch nemesis. I cannot fold a fitted sheet to save my life! Oh, I have watched so many videos on how to do it. I have yet to fold one successfully. The struggle is real. While we were folding sheets, my client made a comment on never folding them perfectly...a judgement of herself. And, then she said something that stuck with me: “Well, I don’t think Martha Stewart is coming over.” I laughed and said, “And if she does, she surely won’t go through your linen closet. That is just not good manners.” 

The truth is, we are all living busy (and sometimes messy) lives. “Good enough” is better than “perfect.”

Why? Because striving to be perfect is futile. There is no such thing.

Oh sure, we can make your house ready for the cover of a magazine, but guess what? Maintaining (near) perfection is a hard job to do. It’s also super-stressful and draining. We LIVE in our houses. Day in and day out. Can we tidy up each day? Sure. But, if the sheets aren’t folded perfectly in the linen closet, that is okay! 

My client and I talked about the importance of organizing the spaces in our homes for our benefit…not for other people’s benefit (unless they live with you, of course). It isn’t to be done to impress the next door neighbor or someone who “might stop by.” It is for you. Your comfort. Your peace. Your sanity. And, it will be done in ways that make sense to you. 

It’s normal to get anxious about tackling a project you don’t want to do (like organizing a linen closet). I am here to help. And, remember, it’s never going to get easier if you don’t expose yourself to the challenge. Hmmm…I guess I need to try and fold that fitted sheet.