Perfect

I was talking to my son the other day about a few things, and we somehow got around to discussing things that concern us about ourselves. We talked at length about how we get anxious about things we had done, or should have done, or knew we shouldn't have done, but did otherwise.

He confessed that some of his issues sleeping were because his mind goes back to these things and he plays them over in his head, wishing he had done things differently. I admitted to him that I have done the same. I didn't tell him about the crazy conversations I have with myself in the car, when I ask myself "why did you do that?" (I always wonder what others think I'm doing when I'm having these "moments.")

It all goes back to our need to be perfect. Probably one of the best lessons I learned (or am still learning) in life is that nobody is perfect, and most people probably go through these moments at one point or another.

I told him that having these moments showed that he was conscientious and thoughtful, and these were good qualities. It means he's real, and true, and not fully self-absorbed or narcissistic.

I hope this got through to him. Being real is okay. There's no need to try to be perfect - no one is.