Is Perfectionism Hindering Your Visibility?

Are you ready to embrace some big, powerful Virgo energy?

As we enter Virgo season later this week (23 August to 22 September), ruled by Earth and the planet Mercury, we invite the star sign of true perfectionism, diligence, and first-class service. It's the season of inner peace and order.

Seizing the Virgo Energy for Inner Growth

Over the next four weeks, seize the opportunity to create rituals and practices that ground and heal you

Here are some ways you can make the most of this period:

1. Understanding Your True Self: Use this energy to take time to understand the person you’re becoming and truly feel at home with yourself

2. Celebrate Your Inner Goddess: Acknowledge and celebrate your unique qualities and strengths. Embrace your inner goddess and let your authenticity shine through.

3. Stepping into Your Power: Be brave enough to stand in your power and share it with the world.

4. Embracing Imperfection: Always remember that you are more than enough. Perfectionism can manifest in subtle ways, and it's important to recognize when it's holding you back.

The Perfectionism Pitfall

Perfectionism can often manifest in ways you may note even realise. Personally, I know perfectionism shows up for me in all kinds of ways,  which unchecked results in massive blocks.

I never realised that the self-imposed high pressure, high expectations, pursuit of perfectionism in any moment was a way of releasing dopamine in my brain.

It is an intrinsic part of ADHD and it has some BFFs that love to show up with it, procrastination, negative thoughts, self criticism, left unchecked lead to complete paralysis around a situation and worse still, burnout.

Unmasking the Different Forms of Perfectionism

It has been illuminating to me that  it doesn’t just show up around the ‘perfect end goal’ but way more in day to day things.

One form of perfectionism I have to constantly watch for is the front-loaded kind, which can hinder you from taking the first steps.

I’ll often catch my thoughts that are leading me to dance with perfectionism: ‘I can’t do ‘the thing’ until I’ve finished my to-do list, tidied my desk, sorted out the washing and got all the other things done, to have the perfect environment before I can do ‘the thing’.

Or it can show up in bigger ways where you might delay launching something until your website is perfect or make excuses about needing to feel a certain way before stepping in front of the camera. Perhaps you say, "I'll book the shoot once X, Y, and Z are done." 

I know this front-loaded perfectionism can even prevent people from making an initial inquiry about booking a brand shoot. Because by putting conditions on the end goal, it leaves too much of a gap from the reality of just making it happen and so things just drift because that ‘perfect’ threshold hasn’t been met.

The Illusion of Perfection

I’ll let you into a secret from much unlearning... That 'perfect' threshold probably won’t ever be met, because perfection is an illusion.

It is an illusion we either build up in our own minds, or absorb the constructs in society around us of what a perfect goal or outcome might look like. This takes a lot to unravel but oh my love it is worth it!

Embrace the Present Moment

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in pushing ourselves completely outside our comfort zones. I don’t recommend booking a shoot if you truly aren’t ready and your nervous system will be overwhelmed. However, one way I’ve been tackling my own perfectionism stumbling blocks is to connect with this affirmation: “The only moment we have now.”

When I embrace this mindset, I’m able to see procrastination and blocks for what they truly are, and I can be kinder to myself.

Because confidence comes from taking action.

Stepping into True Beauty

I witness this transformation every time a woman steps in front of the camera with me, whether it’s her first brand shoot or her tenth. Through action, we embrace the things we might have seen as our ‘imperfections’. We show up as we are in that moment, and that, my loves, is where true beauty lies. 

Breaking Free from Perfectionism

If perfectionism is standing in the way of your visibility, here are a few reminders:

• You have something unique to offer the world.
• You are in charge of your life.
• Perfection is an illusion and so too are imperfections.
• You are already enough.

Join Me for The Gathering

Ready to take action and be seen for all that you are? I'm extending a special invitation for you to join me for The Gathering. Taking place on 30 August, I’m hosting an intimate gathering and collective brand shoot I’m hosting at a secret location in Thanet. We’ll meet at 4pm for four hours of magick together. 

Click here for more details and to save your space. At £150 this is the most affordable way to work with me.

I’d be honoured to have you there.