The President's Message 9/29/25

"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." — Anna Quindlen

Perfection is a heavy mask to wear. It demands flawless performance, constant approval, and an image that rarely reflects the truth of who we are. Many of us chase perfection because we think it will earn us love, respect, or safety—but more often, it just leaves us exhausted, disconnected, and overwhelmed. Anna Quindlen’s words invite us to do something much harder—and much more healing: to stop striving to be perfect and start becoming real.

At its core, self-care is not just about bubble baths or spa days. It’s about choosing wholeness over performance. It’s about honoring our actual needs rather than pretending we don’t have any. And one of the bravest forms of self-care is letting go of perfection and learning to embrace the messy, beautiful process of becoming ourselves.

Perfectionism often disguises itself as ambition or high standards, but it’s fueled by fear—fear of being judged, misunderstood, or not enough. It creates a loop of constant comparison and silent shame. You might achieve a goal, but the satisfaction is fleeting because the bar just keeps rising.

Over time, this pursuit of perfection chips away at self-worth. You start to believe that your value is tied to how well you perform, how little you need, or how seamlessly you can keep it all together. And in doing so, you lose touch with your authentic self—the one who has limits, flaws, dreams, and a voice that’s worth hearing.

Giving up on perfection doesn’t mean giving up on growth. It means choosing authenticity over appearance. It means being honest about what you feel, what you need, and who you are becoming—even when it’s uncomfortable or unclear.

Becoming yourself is a process, not a destination. It involves tuning in to your values, honoring your limits, and being willing to make mistakes without tearing yourself down. It’s showing up for your life as you are, not as who you think you should be.

This shift can be hard, especially in a culture that rewards polished exteriors. But it’s also incredibly freeing. You begin to cultivate relationships built on truth, not performance. You start to feel more at home in your own skin. And you learn to trust that being real is more powerful than being perfect.

The most meaningful self-care begins when you stop fighting yourself and start listening. It might look like setting boundaries, saying no, asking for help, or taking a break when you need one. It’s not about fixing yourself—it’s about supporting yourself.

So if you’ve been holding yourself to an impossible standard, maybe this is the moment to release it. Let go of “perfect”. Embrace the real you—the one who’s still learning, still growing, still worthy.

Because becoming yourself is the work of a lifetime. And it’s worth every step.