During all the craziness of the last few weeks, one thing I have found myself saying a lot, and hearing from others is, “We’ll just have to do the best we can” (or some such variation of that idea).

What’s interesting to me about that is that it is an explicit admission that while circumstances are not ideal, a solution is better than a perfect solution that is unavailable. As some people say, “Done is better than perfect.” It could be referring to what’s in your pantry when it’s time to make dinner, to a specific project at work, attempts to remain connected with those closest with you through video chats, etc.

It in no way excuses a lack of effort—quite the opposite, in fact. That phrase is both a promise to try, and an agreement not to judge or criticize the outcome.

Accepting imperfection sometimes comes easily to me and sometimes doesn’t. I’ve written before about being a perpetual beginner, which necessarily requires patience and an acceptance of imperfection. But there are some areas of my life where I am so much harder on myself than I really need to be—to the point of paralysis.

There is a filmmaker I follow on YouTube who recently posted a video about perfectionism and the value of imperfect space. It’s a great video, and I’ve linked it below for you to watch. It was a good reminder that I need to allow myself space to be imperfect. That imperfect space is where growth can happen, and where new ideas can be explored.

It also reminded me that perfection paralysis, in the end, doesn’t serve anyone.

I’m not sure why that is so easy to apply in some areas of my life, and so difficult in others. The logical part of my brain knows, understands, and believes that. But there is apparently some part of my brain, somewhere, that thinks it knows better. Brains are strange.

I hope the video below will help inspire you be a little kinder to yourself in moments where you are confronted with an abundance of imperfection—particularly in this time where it seems like perfect solutions are few and far between.