This episode is a deep dive into perfectionism, what it is all about, and some things we can try instead. There are some perfect poems throughout the episode, and we take a look at how perfectionism might be destroying our dreams.

If you struggle with perfectionism, this podcast might NOT be the solution, but it will show you that you are not alone, and maybe we can't overcome it together. At the very least, we can try!

Here is the video I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EuWCFCgy58&t=14s

What's Memento Mori Lab?

Memento Mori Lab is our permission slip to experiment, try new things, and keep bringing ideas to life. In my case, that means writing mediocre poetry, some stories and scripts, doodling, and recording this podcast. Memento Mori reminds us, we are going to die. Whatever creative endeavor you've been postponing, now is the time to take action.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your podcasts!

Instagram: @memento.mori.lab

Twitter: @mementomorilab

POEMS:

Perfect

Is perfect a perfect word?

If I say perfect enough times,
Do I take away its power?
And if I never say it again,
Will it be something greater?

Maybe, if I rearrange the letters,

It might read better, roll off the tongue.
Like paradox, or marmalade, perfect.
How about preceft? Or trepfec?
That is absolutely ferpect.

What if I remove some letters?

Or add new ones, instead.
An L is always nice here and there.
Maybe I should add in a Q,
To make it sound more unique.

Wait! Put in a W for some wompf.

Werfect, perfect. I don't know,
It seems to be missing something.
It's not perfect just yet.

I'll have to come back to this later,

With fresh eyes, you know?

-

How Many?

How many words were lost in chasing perfection?

How many books not published, how many stories not told?
How many songs silenced? How many voices unheard?

How many paintings painted over and over until the thickness of paint was too heavy for the canvas to bear?

How many projects were abandoned before their beginnings?

How many sketches erased, how many photos not taken?
How many movies forgotten? How many poems torn?

How many lives lived quietly, locked in the cage of perfection, imagining one day they would create one perfect pebble?

-

Empire

An empire built on all imperfect things,

The most beautiful empire there is.
Invaluable items you failed to see.
Perfection has claimed all as its own,
The torn pages and tossed papers.
Piles and piles of your mistakes.
This is perfection's paradise, you're not welcome.

So, it leads you on a wild hunt with no end in sight,

And you hold on to scraps of potential perfection,
Hoping they'd amount to more than worthless pebbles.