Letting go of perfectionism

INDIANA – When’s the last time you tried something new without worrying about whether you would be good at it? As children, we would happily play and try new things; thoughts of failure did not consume us. However, as adults, we often avoid hobbies unless we believe we can master them.

At what point in our lives does this change-up happen? How can we be successful role models to students, expect them to improve, and not add to the pressure of perfectionism?

We live in a society that thrives on performance, productivity, and perfection. This can be harmful when dealing with children. Students often feel pressured to be perfect at everything they do. If they are unsure if they will be good at something, they may avoid it altogether. The way society has made “good enough” seem like “not en