Good Enough

I don’t like to “settle” for something that isn’t just right. If the line is crooked, I want it straightened. If the wall is rough, I want it smoothed. If the new bathroom fixture isn’t perfect, I want to send it back. That’s a lot of pressure I’ve put on myself over the years.

Now, I’m learning to be grateful for good enough. I can breathe so much easier and the weight on my shoulders is so much lighter when I can remember that good enough is really and truly ok. (Do you remember saying “really and truly” when you wanted someone in junior high to really and truly believe you?)

When I was a young mother (trying to be perfect), an older nursing professor acquaintance mentioned the concept of the good enough mother to me. That was a totally new notion to me. It opened my mind and gave me permission to breathe sometimes. I didn’t have to be a perfect mother; if I were just good enough, then my child would probably grow into a productive member of society and be reasonably happy anyway. Wow. Relief.

I’ve been thinking about the good enough idea again since I jumped on the blog bandwagon. I’m particularly hesitant about writing something that others will read (even if the four of you who read it are really good friends and/or family). [It’s especially intimidating to think that my sister, the journalism/English major/literacy expert who was a published author before she was out of elementary school, will read this.] Wait…can I use a bracket here? Oh well…it’s good enough to post.

I’m grateful I remembered the good enough concept. I’m going to give myself a break.