We all can carry impossibly high standards for ourselves and others. At work, we want to be the leader who always has the right answer. At home, the parent who never loses patience. In community, the friend who shows up flawlessly every time. But here’s the truth: we’re all just humans human-ing. Messy, imperfect, trying, failing, learning, and trying again.
The sooner we admit that, the freer we become.
Imperfection is a Gift
When we drop the myth of perfection, something beautiful happens: people exhale. The meeting that was stiff becomes honest. The team that was afraid to speak up starts sharing bold ideas. The child who thought they had to get it all right suddenly feels safe to experiment. Imperfection doesn’t lower the bar; it creates the trust that makes excellence possible.
Giving Ourselves Permission
It starts with us. How often do we replay in our heads over and over again the awkward moment, the misstep, the thing we should’ve said differently? That loop of self-criticism is not serving any purpose. So, what if, instead, we replaced the script with: “I’m just a human human-ing.” We are all generally trying out best and that’s all we can ask for.
Extending Permission to Others
The second step is grace outward. The colleague who missed a deadline. The houseguest who needed more than you expected. The friend who forgot to call. When we remember they’re just human-ing too, it softens our reaction. Compassion doesn’t mean ignoring accountability, it means recognizing that accountability lands best in a culture where mistakes aren’t met with shame or blame or criticism.
Closing Thought
Next time you stumble, catch yourself, or catch someone else stumbling, remember: we’re all just humans human-ing. Giver yourself and others permission to be imperfect, to learn, to keep going. In the end, we’re never going to reach the bar of “perfect,” so let’s not try. Instead, let’s celebrate the wins, the mistakes and the in betweens.