Life in Progress Diaries

Let me start by saying this: I don’t have it all figured out. I’m not some zen master floating through life perfectly hydrated, perfectly organized, and perfectly on top of everything. Honestly, I’m still winging it most of the time. But I’ve learned something along the way that’s made a world of difference: progress over perfection.

What Inspired Me to Embrace Progress Over Perfection?

Picture this: I’m in the middle of yet another health flare-up, feeling like my body is actively plotting against me, and I’m desperately clinging to the idea that I can still “do it all.” Spoiler alert: I couldn’t. That’s when I stumbled across Lenalifts on YouTube. She was talking about how it’s okay to just do what you can, and something clicked. I joined her Day by Day Club on Skool (shoutout to my fellow girlies there), and suddenly, I had this community cheering me on, reminding me that showing up—even imperfectly—is more than enough.

That’s when I realized: chasing perfection was making everything harder. Adjusting my goals daily, sometimes hourly, to suit my situation became my new normal, and you know what? It actually works.

How Perfectionism Messed Me Up

Oh, perfectionism. My old frenemy. If I slipped up once, even just a tiny bit—say, eating something “forbidden” or missing one gym session—I’d spiral. It was like, “Well, I’ve already messed up, might as well go all in.” And then I’d give up entirely. Waiting for the perfect time to start something? That just meant I never started. Let’s be real, the “perfect time” doesn’t exist, and I’ve wasted so much energy waiting for it.

What Small Wins Have Made Me Proud?

Okay, so here’s where I’m learning to give myself a pat on the back, even for the tiniest things:

• Starting My Blog: Is it perfect? Not even close. But it exists, and I’m posting regularly—even if the schedule isn’t always what I planned.
• Morning Routine-ish: I’ve started waking up earlier and hitting the gym. And when I don’t? I’m (mostly) kind to myself about it. Progress.
• Surviving a Flare-Up in Another Country: Battling a colitis flare-up while living abroad, with a language barrier and no family nearby? Let’s just say it wasn’t cute, but I’m doing the best I’ve ever done during a flare-up. That’s a win.

How I Keep Progress Over Perfection Top of Mind

Mantras are new for me, and honestly, they felt a little cringy at first. But now? They’re a game-changer. Saying things like “Something is better than nothing” or “One step at a time” helps me reframe my thinking. Plus, sharing my wins—whether on this blog or with my Day by Day Club friends—keeps me accountable and reminds me that progress is happening, even if it’s slow.

A Recent Example of Choosing Progress Over Perfection

Not long ago, I was this close to skipping movement altogether. Instead, I told myself, “Just move for five minutes.” Five minutes turned into ten, and I ended up feeling better for it. Another time, I didn’t hit my water goal for the day, but I still drank more than I usually would. Small wins, right?

What’s Actually Easier Now?

Blogging, for one. I’ve stopped stressing about creating the “perfect” post and started focusing on sharing my story. Health, studying, and self-care feel more manageable, too. It’s amazing how much mental space you free up when you let go of the pressure to be perfect.

Advice for Fellow Perfectionists

If you’re struggling to let go of perfectionism, here’s what’s worked for me:

• Start Small: Give yourself permission to do less than “perfect.” Even tiny steps forward are better than standing still.
• Celebrate Wins: No matter how small they seem, they matter. Write them down, share them, or just take a moment to feel proud.
• Find Your People: Whether it’s a community like the Day by Day Club or just a supportive friend, having people who encourage you makes a huge difference.

So here I am, still figuring it all out, one imperfect step at a time. But you know what? That’s progress, and I’ll take it.

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Links
www.youtube.com/@lenalifts

www.skool.com/daybydayclub/about

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