Welcome to Tea with a Taurus! If you’re new here, I’m Ashley—a Taurus who loves a good cup of tea, self-discovery, and all things empowerment. This space is about pausing, reflecting, and growing together. So grab your favorite mug, get cozy, and let’s chat about something I know so many of us struggle with: perfectionism.

Perfectionism—that pesky little voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough unless you get this exactly right.” Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve experienced it while preparing a presentation, starting a creative project, or even planning something as simple as a family dinner. The truth is, that striving for perfection often holds us back more than it pushes us forward.

What Is Perfectionism, Really?

Perfectionism isn’t about being perfect (because, spoiler alert, nobody is perfect). It’s about fear.

• Fear of failure.
• Fear of judgment.
• Fear of feeling vulnerable.

For some, perfectionism means obsessing over every detail, tweaking and re-tweaking until exhaustion sets in. For others, it looks like procrastination—delaying or avoiding a task altogether because the fear of getting it “wrong” is too overwhelming.

I’ll be honest; I’ve been there. I once spent hours editing a blog post, convinced it wasn’t good enough. I kept questioning myself: Would it resonate? Would people like it? That need to “perfect” almost stopped me from hitting publish. Ironically, that post ended up being one of my most well-received pieces—not because it was perfect, but because it was authentic.

How Perfectionism Holds Us Back

When we chase perfection, we lose sight of progress. We miss opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive. Perfectionism shows up in sneaky ways:

1. The Overthinker: Spending endless hours trying to perfect something that’s already good enough.
2. The Procrastinator: Avoiding tasks because starting feels overwhelming.
3. The People-Pleaser: Trying to meet impossibly high standards to gain approval or avoid criticism.

The result? Stress, anxiety, and often, a sense of being stuck.

Overcoming Perfectionism: How to Focus on Progress

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay stuck in the perfectionist mindset. Let’s break it down into actionable steps:

1. Recognize That Perfection Is an Illusion

Let’s be real—nobody is perfect. Not your favorite influencer, not your boss, not even Beyoncé (though she’s pretty close).

Instead of chasing an impossible ideal, ask yourself:

• What am I afraid of? Fear loses its grip when we name it.
• What’s the worst that could happen if this isn’t perfect? You’ll often find the answer isn’t as scary as it feels.

And remember this mantra: Done is better than perfect. Taking action—even messy, imperfect action—is what moves the needle forward.

2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Perfection feels like an unattainable mountain; progress is about taking one step at a time.

• Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Writing a book? Start with one chapter. Launching a business? Focus on one service.
• Celebrate your wins—big or small. Did you finally finish that first draft? Call it a victory!
• Learn from mistakes. A burned dinner teaches you about oven temperatures; a failed pitch sharpens your communication skills.

3. Embrace Mistakes as Part of the Process

Mistakes aren’t proof that you’re not good enough; they’re proof that you’re trying, learning, and growing.

Reframe how you view failure:

• Not a Detour: Mistakes don’t derail your journey; they enrich it.
• A Lesson: Every misstep teaches you something valuable for next time.

4. Be Kinder to Yourself

Would you criticize a friend the way you criticize yourself? Probably not. So why not extend that same compassion inward?

• Replace negative self-talk with affirmations like, “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
• Practice mindfulness to stay present. Sometimes, perfectionism is fueled by replaying past mistakes or worrying about future ones. Staying in the moment can quiet that noise.

Why Progress Over Perfection Matters

When we shift our focus from perfection to progress, life feels lighter. We give ourselves room to breathe, to try, and to celebrate the journey—flaws and all.

Think about it: The last time you felt proud of yourself, was it because everything was perfect? Or was it because you pushed through fear, learned something new, or achieved a goal step by step?

Your Challenge for the Week

I want to leave you with a challenge. Think about one thing you’ve been holding back on because it doesn’t feel “perfect” yet. Maybe it’s writing that book, launching that project, or even trying out a new recipe. Whatever it is, take one small step this week.

Progress isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about showing up, trying, and learning as you go.

Final Thoughts

Perfectionism may feel like a safety net, but it’s really just a barrier. When we let it go, we create space for authenticity, creativity, and joy. So here’s to embracing imperfection, celebrating progress, and savoring the messy, beautiful journey of life.

What’s one step you’ll take this week to let go of perfectionism? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear from you. And if this post resonated, don’t forget to share it with someone who could use a little encouragement.

Until next time, be kind to yourself, keep growing, and remember: Progress over perfection, always.