Funny how we aim for perfection all the time when experience itself will tell us that it just isn’t possible. Yes, we seniors have seen it all but that doesn’t mean we know all the ways of the world—and do it perfectly too—that, my friend is insane. And, well, it can also drive you insane trying to be one.

The worse kind however is when a senior finds himself expecting perfection from other people around him, like his kids and even grandkids, or perhaps seeking perfection on everything your partner does. You know that it not only will drive them crazy but also make them avoid you like a plague. You can never be happy pushing for perfection all the time, there will be times when you need to relax and just settle for “okay” than always pushing for perfection.
Not that perfection is bad; of course, it is not. But, let’s face it, at this point in your life, you don’t need the added pressure trying to be Mr. or Ms. Perfect brings. This is the time when you just let the wind take you wherever it blows.

But what if perfectionism is a deeply embedded habit of yours? Don’t you just love to break free from the bonds that tie you to perfectionism? Below are some simple tips you can do to overcome perfectionism:
•    Build your self-esteem. You probably won’t believe it but perfectionism is a direct result of low self-esteem. Notice how you instantly become fierce about things when you are feeling bad about yourself; you tend to be more critical of your work as well as those of people around you. It is because you are trying to channel the “lacking” feeling to something you think you can take control of.
•    Don’t take things personally. So what if your brownie turned out to be a little bit drier than you expect it to be? Your brownie should not define you as a person nor should you associate yourself to a failed brownie mixture.
•    Find happiness in everything you do. You should not wait for happiness to come, instead, chase it! Enjoy the moment and never let the pressure of making things perfect get you.
•    Embrace your imperfection. Your imperfections define you as a person. If we, people, are meant to be perfect then we will just be a bunch of boring old people doing the same, old boring things.
•    Accept criticism with a smile. This one’s going to be hard I know, and it may even be impossible to do but once you learn how to handle criticism the right way, it will be easier to accept yourself just the way you are—warts and all.