TO ALL THE ANXIOUS PERFECTIONISTS OUT THERE:

TO ALL THE ANXIOUS PERFECTIONISTS OUT THERE:

Let go of the idea that your self-worth is determined by your achievements. You matter because you are uniquely amazing, not because you are an honors student; because you get straight As; because you win awards; or because you are the best at something. People love you not for your knowledge or talents or accomplishments, but because you are YOU.

Because your smile can light up a room.

Because your laugh is contagious.

Because your enthusiasm inspires the same passion in others.

Because you make people feel loved.

Because you have a great sense of humor.

Because you give amazing hugs.

Because YOU ARE SPECIAL, AND YOU MATTER A LOT.

You do not need to be perfect for people to love you. Perfectionism is a drug. It seems like nothing you do is ever enough–it can always be worked on longer, made better, re-done, picked apart. An outside achievement can give you an amazing high, but you’ll always want more. Stop looking outside yourself to validate your existence as a human being. Look inside. You need to love who you are–not what you can do, nor what you tell yourself you SHOULD BE ABLE to or HAVE to do.

So please. Love yourself because you deserve love. Not because you defined yourself by a score on the top of a test and that number happened to be a 100% this time.

Because that number won’t always be a 100% and, when it isn’t, that ABSOLUTELY doesn’t mean you’re worthless.