Home is where you start from: In which I discover I am a perfectionist...stop laughing...now...

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In which I discover I am a perfectionist...stop laughing...now...

I've mentioned before that I love research. I love the hunt. The hunt for the best art materials, the best History/ Phonics / Math curriculum, the best way to make a smoothie. I love the hunt, but I get lost in the execution. I like to call it "being a creative person", or "my inner Bridget Jones" Sky calls it "scattered". One day, my BFF called it "Perfectionist avoidance".

I had my doubts.
I don't live in the same zip code with the word "Perfectionist"...
I'm more familiar with the term "make do". But, I deferred to Gracefulmom's analysis, since she is more educated than I. And, she doesn't ramble. You lose some credibility when you tend to ramble on...

Hello?

Back to my story- So, Gracefulmom put forth the idea that we (we are both very alike in many ways, hence the BFF part) tend to plan/dream up really spectacular ideas and then sensing that we will not follow through in a spectacular way, we give up and avoid/procrastinate. She could be onto something, but again, the perfectionist label was a hard sell.

I'm kind of in that place again, wanting to make some changes to our homeschool life- getting more of a rhythm/order to our day, adding back in more crafts, and dare I say it out loud? ..adding in some baking with the kids, and healthier snacks. I've done some research, read a few books, looked at a few websites..and then stalled. The holidays, having company, my messy house. Yes, it has all stalled.

I stumbled onto this blog post today,

Two Mamas

...Imagine for a moment Two Mamas on their way to Waldorf Homeschooling Land. One Mama rolls up her sleeves, plans the trip, and gets going. The other Mama wants everything to be PERFECT first...

go over to A Little Garden Flower bog to read the rest of a really enlightening parable, even if you are not into Waldorf homeschooling, or any homeschooling, I think this could apply to many of us.

So, how do you get unstuck? Any inspirational advice from moving to planning to doing? Or is your house as messy as mine is right now, and you just want to commiserate?
Spill, I'm listening :)

Labels: homeschool planning, Jen's world, waldorf

posted at 1:41 AM
11 comments

11 Comments:

At 4:06 AM, Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...: I get caught up in finding out new things and then have issues with trying to incorporate or get burned out in doing. Ugh!
At 5:28 AM, Jamie said...: This is the kind of perfectionist I am. I know I can't make things perfect, so why bother anyhow? I've really spent a lot of time over the past few years realizing that no one but me cares or notices if things aren't perfect. The baseboards really don't have to be dusted. The books don't have to be in alphabetical order. It's okay for things to be good enough and that freedom has allowed me to be more of who I want to be. It's liberating.
At 5:46 AM, Starlene said...: I didn't know it was possible but I miss you even more now after reading this post.
By the way, being a perfectionist in one area or another does not indicate (a) perfectionism in all other areas
OR (b) perfection in any area.
At 6:17 AM, Dawn said...: Hi! Stopping by from HHH. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
At 8:17 AM, Anonymous said...: I am working on a Lake Unit Study - but have gotten the idea somewhere that I need the whole "study" done before I start with the kids. We are just going to jump in and see where we go - well, today We'd go to the Dr's cause the lake is COLD! but we'll start with some creative fun this morning.

HHH!
At 10:20 AM, Aimee said...: Well, I will admit it: I'm a perfectionist! Sometimes it isn't a good thing though! Lots of stress!

I get caught up with things on a slow day. I specifically plan one or two slow days in a week. This year it is Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These are the days when we don't have outside things to do. I plan light schoolwork on those days too. that way, I have at least one day a week to clean up the clutter around the house, organize things,etc.
At 12:50 PM, LivingFree said...: I too struggle with perfectionism/procrastination. I blogged about it, http://itisforfreedom.blogspot.com/2011/01/boulder-of-perfectionsim.html , the other day.
At 1:59 PM, Hen Jen said...: Sherry,

exactly! right there with you :)

Jamie,

we're supposed to dust the baseboards??? :[

Starlene,

miss you so much! I think I am b) perfectionist in none of the above!!
At 9:30 PM, Amber@ClassicHousewife said...: My house is a disaster right now and I could nearly cry! =(
But I've discovered that school has to keep going.. if I waited til my house were clean enough we'd hardly ever do school so I try to keep up as best as I can and get school done. I know what you mean, though, there are times I waste way too much time thinking and planning over some new routine or addition to our day and then never get around to doing it because everything else hasn't aligned and it wouldn't be right. ;)
At 5:12 AM, Lizzie said...: I am so the same kind of person but I had never thought of it like that. I adore spending days planning, choosing stuff to use and mapping it out. I would prefer to not actually "do" school because it is so much fun planning it all out.
I had best make sure my dh doesn't see your post. :)
At 10:32 AM, Anonymous said...: I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. I get inspired and jump in with both feet. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't BUT it always HAPPENS and life is in the doing. :) That said my house is messy (but not DIRTY - there IS a difference) and I don't cook square meals. :)

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