Welcome to P.A.

“Hello, my name is Lola and I’m a perfectionist.” “Hi Lola!” That’s how I imagine my welcome would go down at the local Perfectionists Anonymous support group — that is, if there were one.  Perhaps other perfectionists have thought of organizing such a group but they probably got stuck in the mire of all the details: What’s the best way to advertise? How do we know if we’re getting the best rate? Which facility should we use? Do we serve regular and decaf coffee? Should we offer snacks, too? What if more people show up than we can accommodate? What if our group’s not good enough and no one shows up at all?

Oh, yes, a perfectionists work is never done. Funny thing is, they often don’t actually get as much done as they should. Quinn McDonald’s recent post discusses the importance of recovering perfectionists to just make a decision, any decision is better than none at all. That thought was echoed by a darling fellow student in one of my recent classes at Art & Soul. Well, actually, she kind of encouraged what she so aptly labeled as my “disability”. The way she sees it is that while we perfectionists are toiling away perfecting every detail of our work before we release it to the world, she’s out there selling her stuff with that much less competing wares. She doesn’t overthink all the little details, she makes a fine enough product, puts it out to be sold, and works on any future improvements along the way. Hmmm, interesting concept.

I know I’ve talked about this some before. I have many photos, artworks and jewelry designs that are never viewed by others let alone offered for sale. I don’t know how far I am on my road to recovery, but I have been taking small steps. For instance, the other night I was wearing the brown leather bracelet seen here along with two other leather wrap bracelets similar to the black one here. The ladies I was with expressed how much they liked them and wanted to know where to buy them. I thanked them, but told them they weren’t currently available citing something about how they’re still works-in-progress. Lame, I know.

But I did take a step by relinquishing the two wrap ones to one of my friends right then and there. I made them to fit my tiny bird wrists but she also shares the same size. Another friend said she wants the brown one. I asked her what design she would like me to make for her but she wants that one I was wearing. In my eyes it’s flawed and needs work, it’s not even done as intended, the brass disc was going to be a pendant at first and I’m not sure everyone will like the adjustable leather closure. But that’s the one she wants and I will take another step and let her have it.

Showing you these works-in-progress is a step unto itself. I pulled out one of the rings I had made, too, to include in this trio. It’s an adjustable silverplate base with a St. George medal over black leather. I don’t remember now why I opted not to share it before. Must have been one of my perfectionist blackouts.

“The perfect is the enemy of the good.” ~ Voltaire