Imperfect Practice: How Letting Go of Perfect Opens the Door to Progress

“You don’t have to get it together before you show up. You just have to show up.”

— Brené Brown

Last week, we explored how perfectionism begins in fear. A strategy shaped in childhood to stay safe, stay loved, and stay in control. For many, it worked—until it didn’t. Eventually, the need to “get it right” turned from armor into a cage.

But what happens when we know perfectionism is holding us back… and we still don’t let go? That’s where this follow-up begins.

You probably know the feeling: waiting for the stars to align before you take that first step.

You tell yourself you’ll begin once you have the time, the space, the energy, the perfect plan. But somehow, the starting line keeps moving just out of reach.

A client shared with me recently that she wanted to start her self-hypnosis practice to connect with herself and release limiting beliefs. But she was waiting. Waiting for the right time, the right environment, the perfect conditions to finally begin.

I recognized her struggle immediately—because I’ve done the same.

For me, it shows up in my exercise practice. If I don’t have a full hour, or if it’s not the perfect workout, or if I’m not feeling “ready,” I tell myself I’ll do it later. But later often turns into never.

What I’ve learned, and what I shared with my client, is that waiting for perfection is just another form of self-sabotage. It’s a way perfectionism sneaks in and keeps us stuck, disconnected, and doubting.

The good news is, the body doesn’t need perfection. It needs presence. The nervous system responds to consistency, not flawlessness. 

Even five minutes of intuitive movement can change your entire day. And five minutes of self-connection? That can change your whole inner landscape.

The Perfectionism Trap

Perfectionism doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers. It tells us that we’re not ready, that we’ll start when things calm down, when we have more clarity, when we’re less tired.

But the truth is, perfect conditions rarely come. And in waiting for them, we lose precious opportunities to connect with ourselves, to move our bodies, to practice, to grow.

When we tell ourselves it has to be all-or-nothing—that if we can’t do it perfectly, we won’t do it at all—we rob ourselves of the power of imperfect practice.

Why We Wait for Perfect

We wait for perfection because we’re afraid to “waste” effort. We don’t want to try and still feel like we’re falling short. We want our self-care practices to work. We want them to feel good. So we delay until we’re in the “right” mindset, until conditions are ideal, until it feels safe to begin.

But waiting for perfection is just another disguise for fear. A subtle way our protective parts try to shield us from disappointment, failure, or vulnerability.

That part of you is not wrong. It’s trying to help. But it might be time to ask: Is it actually helping? Or is it keeping me from what I need most?

Progress Isn’t Pretty—But It’s Powerful

There’s a truth many perfectionists don’t hear enough: The tiniest practice still counts.

You don’t need a full routine. You don’t need all your tools lined up or your mind totally clear. You just need a moment. A breath. A willingness to show up as you are.

• Messy practice is still practice.
• Imperfect practice still builds trust with yourself.
• Half-effort still nurtures your nervous system.
• And sometimes, starting with less is exactly what allows you to receive more.

Why Imperfect Practice Matters

Here’s what I know to be true:

• Even 5 or 10 minutes of intuitive movement can shift your mood.
• Even a few minutes of breathing and checking in with your body can reconnect you to your center.
• Even a brief moment of sitting quietly with yourself is a step toward healing and clarity.
• You don’t need the perfect plan.
• You need willingness.
• You need presence.
• You need to trust that showing up imperfectly is still showing up.
• Imperfect practice isn’t a compromise. It’s a doorway. A doorway to progress, to self-connection, to wholeness.

How to Begin Without Perfect Conditions

If you find yourself waiting for the ideal time, the perfect setting, or the right energy, I invite you to try this instead:

• Set a timer for 5 minutes. Breathe. Move. Check in with yourself. Ask yourself, “what do I need right now?” AND listen!
• Allow whatever comes up—without needing it to be “good” or “right.”
• Notice the stories your mind tells you about why this isn’t enough.
• Remind yourself: Imperfect practice is enough. I am enough.

You might discover that these small, imperfect moments build trust with yourself.

That they remind you of your inherent worth, even when everything isn’t perfectly aligned.

That they begin to unravel the all-or-nothing cycle, opening the door to progress.

A Gentle Invitation

If you need a place to start—a moment of grounding, a simple practice—I invite you to try this short morning meditation I created.

It’s designed to remind you that you are not broken, and that even a few minutes of self-care can create meaningful shifts:

👉 Morning Meditation for Self-Care | You Are Not Broken

Let it be your imperfect beginning. Let it be enough.

The Door is Already Open

You don’t need the perfect plan, the perfect moment, or the perfect version of yourself to begin.

You just need to begin.

Because progress isn’t reserved for those who do it “right.” It’s available to anyone willing to show up, even imperfectly. And in that willingness, you’ll find your way back to yourself. Not as someone who has it all together, but as someone who’s learning to honor their needs, one small step at a time.