Hey — let’s talk about perfection for a second. I’ll go first: I’m a perfectionist. Like, hardcore. Working on being a recovering one, but it’s a process. (If you’re into personality tests, I’m an Enneagram 1 — aka, the “everything needs to be right” type.)
At Rising Goddess Fitness, our theme this month is Bloom Where You Are Planted — and honestly, it couldn’t feel more personal. Because for a long time, I thought I had to earn my pride. I thought I had to be flawless, polished, ready before I could step into something new — whether it was trying something scary, chasing a goal, or even just feeling proud of myself.
Spoiler alert: that mindset will steal the joy right out of your journey.
Because here’s the truth I’m still learning every day: You don’t have to be perfect to live a life you’re proud of. You don’t have to be perfect to go after the things you want. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of joy, connection, or growth.
You just have to start. And you have to keep going. Messy. Uncertain. Brave anyway.
Why We Think We Have to Be Perfect
Perfection feels safe. It feels like if we just do everything right — say the right thing, look the right way, perform the right way — we’ll finally feel enough. But perfection isn’t real. It’s a moving finish line. And chasing it keeps us stuck. It makes us overthink every move. It convinces us we’re “not ready yet.” It keeps us waiting… and waiting… and waiting.
The reality is, growth never looks perfect. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s trying and trying again — even when you don’t feel like you’re getting it “right.”
Perfectionism Steals More Than You Think
The worst part is, perfectionism doesn’t just steal your joy. It can steal your voice. Your creativity. Your impact. When you wait until you’re “ready,” you hold back gifts the world actually needs. When you tell yourself you’re “not good enough yet,” you rob yourself — and everyone else — of the magic only you have to offer.
You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. You just have to be willing to show up as you are.
How Perfectionism Messes With Your Progress
Perfectionism tells you that if it’s not easy, you’re failing. If you don’t get it right the first time, you’re failing. If you struggle, if you doubt yourself, if you have to start over — you’re failing.
None of that is true.
The messy parts — the doubts, the do—overs, the small steps nobody sees — that IS progress. You don’t have to feel like you’re nailing it every day to be moving forward. You just have to keep going.
Let’s Talk About Imposter Syndrome
If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, like you weren’t good enough, like you were just faking it — welcome to the club. Imposter syndrome shows up whenever you’re doing something brave.
It whispers in your ear: “Who do you think you are?” “You’re not good enough.” “Someone else could do this better.”
I still hear it sometimes. Even after years of teaching, leading, and building a community I love. And you know what? It’s just noise. It’s not the truth.
The real truth is:
- You don’t have to feel 100% confident to belong.
- You don’t have to be fearless to be good at something.
- You don’t have to earn your spot by being perfect.
We see it all the time at the studio, too. Students walk in carrying labels they’ve put on themselves:
- “I can’t dance.”
- “I’m not strong enough.”
- “I’m too old for this.”
Those labels? They’re just fear talking. They are not the whole story.
Stop Comparing Your Chapter 1 to Someone Else’s Chapter 20
This is something we say a lot at the studio — and it’s a reminder we all need sometimes. One of the fastest ways to kill your momentum is to start looking sideways. You see someone further along and think: “I’ll never catch up.” “Why does it seem so easy for them?” “Maybe this just isn’t for me.”
But what you’re seeing is the highlight reel. You’re seeing the results of years of messy, imperfect work you weren’t there to witness. You are not behind. You are not late. You are not less than.
You are exactly where you need to be — growing your own roots, in your own season, in your own way.
Start Anyway
You don’t need perfect timing. You don’t need perfect conditions. You don’t need a perfect version of yourself. You just need a willingness to begin. And the guts to keep going — even when it feels hard, even when you’re doubting yourself, even when it’s not Instagram—worthy.
Start today. Start scared. Start messy. Because showing up for your own life is how you become everything you’re meant to be.
We’ll be right here cheering you on. 🌸
If you’re ready to take that first step, our Foundations Series is the perfect place to begin. You can start anytime — messy, imperfect, and completely welcome.
(Click here to check out the package and get started.)
Bonus if You’re Curious
Earlier I mentioned being an Enneagram 1 — aka, the perfectionist type. If you’re curious about your own type, here’s the Enneagram quiz I took. It’s not about putting yourself in a box — it’s about getting a little more language around how you move through the world. Take it if you want — and just remember, no quiz can define you.
You’re always allowed to grow beyond any label.
With Love,
Michelle 💙
