Welcome back, friends! It’s been a while since the last update here on *The Reclaim Strategy*, and I’m thrilled to share the latest insights from the newest episode of *The Reclaim Podcast, Shattered to Unbreakable*. This one’s for all of you who’ve ever felt like life demands perfection before you can make your next move. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. In fact, embracing imperfection might just be the key to progress and growth.
Why I’ve Been MIA
First things first: where have I been? Well, let’s just say life happened—a lot of life. Between juggling three online classes, a full-time job, and parenting, the podcast took a backseat. But, as I’ve learned, giving yourself grace is just as important as giving others grace. I’m back now, ready to share everything I’ve learned (and I’ve learned a LOT).
I’m currently a year away from earning my bachelor’s in psychology, and every class has been an incredible reminder that life experience is the best teacher. Psychology isn’t replacing what I’ve learned from my journey—it’s validating it. And guess what? That means I have even more tools to share with you to help us all grow together.
The Perfection Trap
One of the biggest reasons for my absence? The dreaded perfectionist mindset. I kept telling myself I had to have all the facts, all the right words, and all the answers before recording another episode. But as I sat with those feelings, I realized something: my silence might be hurting more than an imperfect message ever could.
At a recent retreat called Warrior Woman, I had a revelation: perfection isn’t relatable. People don’t connect with perfect. They connect with progress. And honestly, striving for perfection is exhausting. Whether it’s in relationships, career, or personal growth, perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
Truth vs. Facts
One of the most eye-opening lessons from the Warrior Woman retreat was the distinction between truth and facts.
- Facts: These are objective and undeniable. They’re what actually happened.
- Truth: This is your personal interpretation of those facts—your story about what happened.
For example, if someone says something that hurts you, the fact is simply that they said it. Your truth is how you interpret and feel about it. Both matter, but separating them can give you clarity and control. Instead of spiraling into hurt, you can choose to reframe the story you’re telling yourself.
This insight was a game-changer for me. It’s helped me move past the victim mindset and reclaim my power. Life happens. Good things, bad things, unexpected things—it all just happens. But we get to choose how we respond and what story we tell ourselves moving forward.
Lessons from a Farmer (and a Dragon)
During the retreat, I was reminded of one of my favorite parables: the story of the Chinese farmer. If you’re not familiar, here’s the gist:
- A farmer’s horse runs away. His neighbors say, “How unfortunate!” The farmer replies, “Perhaps.”
- The horse returns with seven more horses. The neighbors exclaim, “How fortunate!” The farmer again says, “Perhaps.”
- The farmer’s son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the horses. “How unfortunate!” the neighbors say. The farmer? “Perhaps.”
- The next day, the army comes to conscript all able-bodied young men, but the son is spared because of his broken leg. “How fortunate!” And you guessed it—“Perhaps.”
The moral? Life is a chain of events, and we don’t always know what’s fortunate or unfortunate in the moment. We just keep moving forward, doing the next right thing.
Oh, and let’s not forget the quote from *How to Train Your Dragon* that said, “When something looks too perfect, it probably sucks.” If even dragon-trainers think perfection is overrated, who are we to argue?
Moving Forward: Progress, Not Perfection
The biggest takeaway from this episode is that progress is what matters. Whether you’re healing from a breakup, navigating parenting, or chasing a big career goal, focus on the next right step. And remember to check the story you’re telling yourself. Is it serving you? If not, rewrite it.
I’m choosing to show up imperfectly—to share my lessons, my stories, and my growth with you in real time. This season of *The Reclaim Podcast* is all about embracing the messy, beautiful process of becoming our best selves. Together, we’re going to keep learning, growing, and reclaiming our sparkle.
Thanks for sticking with me, friends. Stay sparkly.
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