About Me

Hi there! My name is Michelle Russell, and I’ve learned something astounding over the last few years that I’d like to share with you.

It’s okay to screw up.

I never really knew that before. Oh, sure, I could say the words and admit intellectually that they might be true. But deep down I didn’t believe it. At least not for myself.

Other people were allowed to have a reasonable number of commitments, make mistakes without being blamed, and take time for things like self-care and fun. Not me. I “knew” and never questioned that:

  • I always had to say yes when people asked me for things, especially when they involved time commitments.
  • If I didn’t volunteer to help, it meant I didn’t care.
  • I had to make sure that each minuscule detail of every project I undertook was as perfect as I could possibly make it (even when it didn’t matter).
  • I could never rest on my past accomplishments; I had to prove myself over and over again in every relationship and every situation.
  • Everyone was counting on me, so I couldn’t let any balls drop no matter how desperately I was juggling.

Sound at all familiar?

I’ve spent my entire life in some type of self-work or another, and the last three years specifically in recognizing my perfectionist tendencies so that I can overcome them—when I choose to. (That last bit is important.) I’ve learned to recognize an unrealistic expectation when I see one, and how to react when I do. (Hint: Screaming and stamping on it doesn’t work too well.)

Here are just a few bite-sized samples of what I’ve learned so far:

  • “Good enough” really is good enough.
  • Self-acceptance does not equal laziness or complacency.
  • Most people will not hate you if you say no. (The few who do aren’t the ones you want to be hanging out with anyway.)
  • Just because it’s on a to-do list doesn’t mean you have to do it.

Other stuff about me?

I own cohabit with take daily instruction from two cats.

I’m very non-judgmental about people, unless they’re deliberately doing things that hurt other people. Or animals. Or the precious planet we live on.

I believe that “truth” is a personal thing, no one has the right to dictate what anyone else should believe, people are basically good and doing the best they can, and giving them the benefit of the doubt is one of the kindest things we can do.

On a good day, I can do a pretty good impersonation of Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”

I have no self-control when it comes to wordplay, especially puns.

I love the sound of most languages and accents—they’re like music to me. But speak to me in a Scottish accent, and I’ll probably follow you around like a puppy and want to be your friend forever.

Okay, enough about me. What about you?

If this whole “self-acceptance-even-though-I’m-not-perfect” theme resonates with you, feel free to hang out on the blog. I’d love it if you shared your own experiences, too!

So go ahead and leave a comment. Subscribe. Follow me on Twitter (where I’m @joyfulmess).

You can also contact me directly by e-mail at michelle (AT) PracticeMakesImperfect (DOT) com.