Letting Go of Perfection: Real Stories from Women Who’ve Embraced Thei

Letting Go of Perfection: Real Stories from Women Who’ve Embraced Their Flaws

We’ve all been there—chasing some impossible standard, apologising for being human, and stressing over things that, in hindsight, really didn’t matter. But what if we just… stopped? At Dandy, we believe real wellness comes from self-acceptance, not self-critique. So, we spoke to women who’ve ditched perfection in favour of something far better—joy, confidence, and the freedom to just be.

By Dandy / Mar 03 2025

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Perfection is the illusion we were sold in glossy magazines, in airbrushed Instagram posts, and in the whispered expectations passed down from generation to generation. But what happens when women decide to unlearn it? When they stop striving for some impossible ideal and start embracing themselves—flaws, quirks, and all? The answer: freedom, joy, and a deeper sense of self-worth.

We spoke to real women who have taken the bold step of letting go of perfection and, in doing so, found something far more valuable. Here are their stories.

Sarah, 34: From People-Pleaser to Self-Acceptance

“I used to apologise for everything,” Sarah confesses. “If I was running late, if I took up space in a conversation, if I didn’t have perfect makeup on a Zoom call. It was exhausting.”

A turning point came when she started therapy and realised her perfectionism was rooted in a deep fear of being unliked. "One day, my therapist asked me, 'What would happen if you disappointed someone?' I didn't have an answer. It was a revelation."

Now, Sarah is practising setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and showing up as she is—even when that means messy hair and an unfinished to-do list. “I still have moments of doubt, but I remind myself: I am not here to be perfect. I am here to be real.”

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Jasmine, 29: Learning to Love Her Body’s Story

Jasmine spent years chasing the 'perfect' body—a shape that changed depending on which beauty standard was trending that decade.

"I used to think my body was something to be fixed," she says. "Then I realised it tells a story: my stretch marks from growth spurts, my scars from adventures, the softness that reminds me of meals shared with people I love."

She started following body-neutral influencers and surrounding herself with people who valued her for more than aesthetics. "It didn't happen overnight, but now, when I look in the mirror, I see someone who is alive, not a project to be perfected."

Lena, 42: Redefining Success

For years, Lena equated success with relentless achievement. "I thought if I wasn't constantly working toward the next goal, I was failing."

But burnout hit hard, and she was forced to reassess. "I realised I was chasing perfection at the expense of my happiness. So I redefined success: it’s not just about external achievements; it’s about joy, rest, and meaningful connections."

Now, she celebrates slow mornings, work-life balance, and creative pursuits that bring her happiness—even if they’re not 'productive.' "Letting go of perfection gave me my life back."

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Emma, 37: Motherhood Without the Pressure

Emma always imagined she would be the perfect mother—patient, always put together, never raising her voice. "But reality hit hard," she admits. "Motherhood is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes you just need to cry in the bathroom."

She struggled with guilt for not meeting the unattainable standard she had set for herself. "One day, my friend told me, 'Your kids don’t need a perfect mum, they need a happy one.' That changed everything."

Emma started allowing herself grace, leaning on her support system, and accepting that being a good mother doesn’t mean being flawless. "Now, I focus on being present rather than perfect. It’s so much more fulfilling."

Priya, 31: Embracing Career Detours

Priya had a five-year plan that didn’t go to plan. "I was supposed to climb the corporate ladder, get promotions, and have it all figured out," she says. "But life had other ideas."

After an unexpected job loss, she was forced to reassess. "At first, I felt like a failure. But then I realised—I wasn’t failing, I was just taking a different path."

She explored new interests, took time to travel, and eventually found a career she actually loved. "Perfection would have kept me stuck in a job I hated. Letting go allowed me to discover something better."

Why We Need to Let Go of Perfection

Perfectionism isn’t just exhausting—it’s isolating. It tells us we’re never enough, that we have to keep striving, fixing, hiding. But the truth is, the people who truly matter don’t love us because we’re perfect. They love us because we’re us.

So what if we started showing up as we are? What if we let our flaws be part of our beauty, our mistakes be part of our growth? What if we stopped apologising for being human?

There is a quiet power in imperfection—in the vulnerability of showing up as our full, unfiltered selves. And when we embrace it, we don’t just free ourselves; we give permission for others to do the same.

Ready to let go of perfection? You’re in good company.