I've recently realised I've been trying to do my therapy work 'perfectly', become the 'perfect human being'.. Someone who never hurts anyone else. And I've only done it so I could show my mother 'This is how you should have been!'

I need to stop. It's exhausting trying to be perfect as it's something I can never achieve.. Also, I feel I'm doing it for the wrong reasons. There is no way I can change my mum. If she ever chooses to change, it'll be totally her decision. It's not my responsibility, so I can stop trying!

I feel it's a very noble thing, trying to become someone who hurts others as little as possible.. I still want to keep getting better but I'm always going to make mistakes. I've also begun to feel like I'm wasting my life not having any fun along the way. I just thought I could make my mum see what she's done wrong.. But it's not my place - it's up to her! I can just say she was a bully and leave it at that - I don't have to try and change her.

I'm going to be imperfect from now on and love myself like that, walking my own path

[Skeezyks]

[MichaelNJMS]

My first response on this site! Yay!

As for your post... a hard feat! I am a therapist and I convince myself aloud daily that I am just as imperfect as everyone else, all while subconsciously trying to attain perfection. I think for me it's the constant need to look "in-order" and having all answers that I help others better themselves with. At the end of the day, I am sometimes disappointed that I was not more openly honest about my imperfections.