Life is a journey filled with moments of clarity and chaos, and most of us oscillate between these states more often than we’d like to admit. The phrase “my shit def isn’t fully together, but it was extremely apart before” captures a common sentiment among those navigating the complexities of adulthood: progress is rarely linear, and sometimes just being a bit less disorganized than you were before is a significant victory.

The Myth of “Having It All Together”

Society often pressures us to present a facade of perfect organization and success. Social media perpetuates this by showcasing curated highlights of people’s lives, leading many to feel inadequate if their own paths seem messier. But the truth is, nobody has it all figured out. Even the most successful individuals face moments of doubt, confusion, and setbacks. The myth of having it all together creates unrealistic expectations and can be detrimental to mental health.

Embracing Imperfection

Acknowledging that your life isn’t fully together can be a powerful step towards self-acceptance and growth. It allows you to embrace imperfection and focus on the progress you’ve made rather than the ideal of perfection. Celebrating small victories and improvements over time is essential. After all, personal development is about moving forward, not achieving a flawless state of being.

Measuring Progress by Your Own Standards

One of the key aspects of self-improvement is setting your own benchmarks for success. Comparing your journey to others’ can be a source of frustration and disappointment. Instead, focus on your past experiences and how far you’ve come. Maybe a few years ago, your life felt chaotic, disorganized, and overwhelming. If today you’ve managed to find some semblance of order, even if it’s not perfect, that’s significant progress.

Learning from Past Struggles

Reflecting on how “extremely apart” things were before can provide valuable insights. Understanding what factors contributed to those chaotic times can help you develop strategies to avoid similar pitfalls in the future. Whether it was a lack of planning, poor time management, or unhealthy habits, identifying these issues allows you to address them and continue improving.

Building Resilience

Resilience is built through overcoming challenges, not by avoiding them. Each time you navigate a rough patch, you build the skills and mindset needed to handle future obstacles more effectively. A life that was “extremely apart” before but is now somewhat together demonstrates resilience and the ability to adapt and grow. This resilience becomes a cornerstone for tackling new challenges as they arise.

Focusing on What You Can Control

While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything that’s not perfect, focusing on what you can control can help ground you. Prioritize aspects of your life where you can make tangible improvements and accept that some things may remain uncertain or imperfect. This focus on controllable elements can reduce anxiety and help you make meaningful changes.

The Power of Small Steps

Significant changes often start with small, manageable steps. Whether it’s decluttering a room, organizing your schedule, or setting realistic goals, each small action contributes to a larger sense of order and accomplishment. Over time, these incremental improvements can lead to substantial progress.

Finding Balance

Striving for a balanced life is more realistic than trying to achieve perfection. Balance means acknowledging that while some areas of your life are improving, others might still need work, and that’s okay. It’s about finding a workable harmony between your aspirations and your current reality.

Conclusion

“My shit def isn’t fully together, but it was extremely apart before” is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Embracing the journey of self-improvement, with all its ups and downs, is crucial. Celebrate the fact that you’re better off than you were before, and use that momentum to keep moving forward. Perfection is a myth, but improvement is a tangible and worthy goal. Keep striving, keep growing, and most importantly, be kind to yourself along the way.

4o