The Unimportance of Perfection by Courtney

The Unimportance of Perfection by Courtney - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

"Why you try and make everything so perfect? Nature is not perfect." Miss Ping, as we called her, promptly plucked the paintbrush out of my hand, spreading green beyond the thin line I had. I watched the weak, static-looking tree grow into one that was far more realistic and beautiful, despite its imperfections. While Miss Ping's advice at the moment applied to my artwork, I've been able to use this advice throughout all my life. It is not important to try and be perfect, but instead to just be yourself and do your best.

Before this advice, I was obsessed with perfection. It consumed me. While it pushed me to do better, it also held me back. Perfectionism can lead you to not get your work done as quickly, to constantly think the worst of it, and to even just give up. This often happened in my artwork, and the first two often threatened how I felt about my schoolwork.

When I started Miss Ping's art classes, I still strove for perfection. However, she soon showed me how it wasn't necessary. Her words and bold painting style opened my eyes to something that would change my view on not only art, but everything else. I did not have to try and be perfect; most art is not. Just doing my best in everything was enough, and actually improved everything.

Today, I still keep Miss Ping's advice to heart. I do my best in every assignment, class, and endeavor. I know that as long as I do my best to learn, I will still improve, without the pressure of perfectionism. Nature is not perfect, and that is where its beauty is that. In the same way, our differences and imperfection is what adds to beauty in our writing and discoveries.

Miss Ping opened my eyes in both art and my everyday life. Achieving perfection is not vital, but how you strive to be the best that you can be. Many times in life and in college, you can't know if your work is perfect or not. All you can do is your best. Doing your best will take you much farther than perfectionism will; I know it has for me.