Quality is important, but seeking perfection can lead to paralysis. At least it can for me. I have wanted to start a blog for a long time, but the perfectionist in me prevented me from actually doing it. It had to be perfect, if I were to do it at all.
Perfection can also paralyze people from pursuing change. That is, some people won’t try something if they can’t do it purely or perfectly. Myself included. I’ve heard this excuse many times in response to people telling me why they couldn’t be vegan. “I would totally go vegan, but I just love cheese/sushi/lattes.” To which I usually respond, “Well, why not be a vegan who eats sushi?” It might not be purist or perfect veganism, but it is a lot closer than not trying at all. I encourage others to find comfort in imperfection, that is, to permit themselves to do things imperfectly. (After all, there are very few things anyone can do perfectly, all of the time or ever.) And yet, I rarely afford myself this same latitude.
And so…after many rational, and many more irrational reasons, for delaying the launch of my blog — yes, mostly related to getting it perfect — I am going ahead now, knowing it will never be perfect and that is perfectly fine.
For the past two years, I have shared bits and pieces of our family life through my Instagram account @hippieindisguise, and while I think Instagram is an excellent social media platform, I have often wanted more space to write and provide greater detail on our activities, based on requests from my kind and curious friends and followers. On this site I will document the moments I share with my children adventuring around our city to rivers, fields, parks, and pools, visiting galleries and museums, seeking out public and street art, crafting with natural materials, drawing, painting, and cooking — the everyday moments that make up a childhood and connect our family.
I will also share interviews with people who have inspired me as parents, as artists, as entrepreneurs, as people. I think it is really important to honour our inspirations. I want to create a space where I give people credit for the good they put out into the world. Stay tuned, I will post my first interview later this week!
Finally, while I am pursuing a minimalist lifestyle, paring down my possessions to the essential, I will from time to time share products here that I believe are worth choosing, if you are in need, because they are organic, fair trade, or handmade, for example.
So, that’s the plan, it’s not perfect, but I’m okay with that.
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Oh Danielle,
Embracing the perfectly imperfect is such a positive thing. You have a wonderful way with words and I know your images and aesthetic is so beautiful, I am excited to follow along on your journey xx
Thank you very much Leah! I really appreciate your kind words. You have inspired me in many ways.
Excellent Danielle!! Perfect or not, at least you got this out there. You’re inspiring people each day! Perfect is such a joke…but you’re right, it can be soooo debilitating to try and live up to everyone else’s images. I will follow you along here, as I also love following you on IG. 😉 Hope to meet you one day soon-and your beautiful family. XO
Dear Vanessa, thank you for reading and leaving such a kind comment on my first post. It is hard for me to put myself out there, but I know there is value in it. I hope to inspire people to get outside more, to slow down, to love more. Thank you.
Yay! What a wonderful pursuit. I’ve long admired your parenting & lifestyle philosophy; I look forward to following your blog & being further inspired. Congratulations Danielle????????xox
Dear Kristin, thanks for visiting and reading. You are too kind, really. You are full of your own light and inspiration. Xx
Oh girl, I so understand where you’re coming from!!! I’m regularly overwrought with anxiety at my impossible desire to create beautifully perfect things. It is paralyzing. I’m so glad you went ahead and hit the “publish” button! I’m going to enjoy learning more about you and reading your thoughts! 🙂
Dear Hannah, thanks for reading the post. I am glad it has hit home for a few people. Writing it was a bit cathartic and I feel somewhat released from the perfectionist drive at the moment. You have created many beautifully perfect images and perfect little individuals. Really perfect and imperfect are two sides of the same coin, neither really stops or starts.
Danielle!
I’am always exited to read new adventures from you and your fine family!
Bring back the joy of normal life. Just do normal things and enoy it. That’s a gift.
This “new” web is a nex step. The message reamains the same!
It’s good to see that we all are inspired by ourselves. Keep sharing the good news.
Even the stories of your kids are treasures to all of us.
Greetzzz. Wim.
This looks so much like my beginning! It’s nice to know I am not alone in this world like that.