day two

 

Perfectionitis

For quite some time now, I have wanted to resurrect this little blog, but that just didn't happen.  And while I could give explanations, reasons, excuses, whatever you want to call them, I won't.  Because it's not about that.  It wasn't the right time.  But now it is.  I promise I won't let you down... or myself.

If you're curious as to why the delay, I suffer from what is known as perfectionitis, which I talk about in my first post: write, rewrite, delete.  I'm working on it!  I have to constantly remind myself that because perfection is subjective, there is no such thing as perfection (and thus, imperfection), but it'll still sneak up on me.  And when it does, I'll spend a lot of time on something, only to continuously remain displeased with the final outcome.  Case in point: my hair.

One day this past summer I had a mini revelation as I was doing my hair.  I was standing in front of the mirror (as in I couldn't get any closer) and I had been standing there for about ten minutes.  I had already blow-dried and styled my hair.  I was just making sure it looked presentable before I left to go for a party.  I kept staring at the little flyaways floating across the top of my head like a halo.  I kept staring at the tendrils that insisted on doing their own thing.  I started to reapply styling product to tame the flyaways, change my part, brush my hair again... and then I took a step back.

Just one step.  To the distance that most people still wouldn't be at while we were talking.  And I looked fine.  In fact, my hair looked pretty good, if I might add.

Do you ever find yourself obsessing over something that only you would really notice?

Creating Your Own Path

It’s one thing to like a quote.  It’s another thing to live a quote.  I love reading quotes that are thought-provoking and spark a mini revelation.  This has always been one of my most favorite quotes – not only because I like it, but also because I try my best to live it. 

I avoid “following the crowd” even though I have been questioned time and time again as to why not. 

I refuse to partake in “popular” activities if they don’t feel right to me – for example, playing beer pong and smoking hookah.  If asked to join, I simply smile, say no and move on.  I don’t owe anyone an explanation, and I don’t dwell on the asker's reaction.

The point is… it might be a social norm, but it's not my norm.  My norm is to listen to my heart to help guide my decision.  This method works for me, and I hope you trust your heart to do the same.   

It’s like the saying that goes “what’s right is not always popular and what’s popular is not always right.” 

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. 



Message from The Times of India

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Write, Rewrite & Delete

I may not rinse, lather & repeat, as I am pretty sure that there is no need to actually repeat… it seems to benefit the hair product industry more than my actual hair ;)  However, I do write, rewrite & delete, much to the dismay of my keyboard.  I’m sure that my backspace key is the most worn out of all the keys. 

I’ve always enjoyed writing; my writing “career” dates back to elementary school.  I was the sole writer, publisher and marketer of my very own newspaper.  I even used to have my own news show, where I would broadcast the news in both English and Hindi, in an attempt to reach out to more viewers :)  I continued to write stories throughout school and was a section editor of my high school newspaper.  Most recently, I incorporated writing at my 9-5, where I wrote, published and distributed two monthly newsletters catered to two different audiences.  And, like all writers, I have an unfinished novel in the works.

Recently, I have been struggling with writing because I tend to overanalyze both the usage and aesthetic appeal of each word.  It’s so important to me that I write from the heart.  Yet, it’s equally important that the words string together in a harmonious manner. 

Write, rewrite & delete.  Story of my life.  Don’t get me wrong.  It is important to make revisions so that you can best express your ideas in a thoughtful manner.  After all, the first draft is hardly ever the best draft.  However, it’s also important not to become obsessed with perfection: the perfect story, the perfect paragraph, the perfect sentence, the perfect word.  I have even obsessed over the perfect punctuation marks.  Just to give you an idea… it has been 2.5 weeks since I created this blog and 2.5 weeks that I have been struggling to write the “perfect” first post.         

Think about how many stories we miss out on telling just because of this quest for perfection.  Perfection is subjective.  What is perfection to one may be subpar to another and vice versa.  Perfection does not exist in reality, only in our minds. 

I am going to make an oath to do the absolute best I can & not obsess over perfection.  Yes, I will continue my write, rewrite & delete pattern, mainly because I am a writer, but not to the extent that I currently do.  It will be difficult, but it is doable. 

 I have a strong vision in mind for missdesi and it’s time to make that vision reality.     

Your Perfect Shade

Embrace the skin you were born in.  It’s the perfect shade for you.

XO,

missdesi