Practicing Imperfection
Microphone Oopsies, AI Punking, and Hitting Submit Too Soon
Have you discovered the joyful freedom of screwups?
As a recovering perfectionist, I must admit, this came as a shock.
I’ve spent the better part of forty-five years never wanting to be wrong (being right didn’t matter as much), feeling the need to earn my spot, and subtly—and not so subtly—trying to prove to myself and anyone who ever doubted me that I can do this. Whatever that day’s “this” may be.
This unattractive truth has kept me from pursuing anything that involved editing or social media camera work outside of Facebook videos of my kids because I convinced myself that I couldn’t do it. Majoring in Mass Communications at LSU, along with hosting, editing, and producing campus television shows only added weight to my fear because I had a constant voice inside telling me that I should remember how to do this. I should, in fact, rock at it.
The story I told myself was that I was a failure. That everyone would expect that I’d kept up with technology over the last twenty-five years, and to put myself out there and flail would be embarrassing.
Our inner storyteller is a survival expert.
A determined strategist that has kept us safe for years by reading the room, responding to emotional echoes, and then offering up theory as truth while making predictions for future events.
Playing up our fears in the name of safety.
I appreciate how hard my Storyteller has worked for me…but I’m a big girl and I’m ready to reclaim the pen.
Here’s a few highlights from my experience of doing exactly that and finally stepping back into the media production ring:
I recorded my podcast trailer four times—three of those with the microphone facing the wrong way. Spoiler alert: it makes a big difference.
The AI in my podcast software is truly amazing and makes the whole process so much easier than it had been circa 2001. But, I truly believe it is punking me! Out of six recorded episodes, over two hours of footage, every single photo they offered up as promotional gold has been the most ridiculous faces ever.
Seriously. Don’t believe me?↓
I finally got my Substack branded and put together, and I wrote my first official post…and immediately noticed helpful suggestions at the bottom from Substack that were supposed to be deleted. I quickly pulled it back up and removed it, but not before my amazingly supportive husband asked me if I’d meant to do that. Nope.
But you know what?
I’m genuinely happy it all happened.
Sure, it would have been great to discover I’m naturally amazing and perfect—with zero mistakes this week…or ever.
But I live in reality, and to be honest, it takes the pressure off knowing I’d already messed up publicly. Not only did I survive, but I literally laughed out loud after every single Oopsident.
In my fiction writing, all my heroines have at least one moment of hilarity/embarrassment. I write adult romantic comedy and coming of age young adult. Silliness, hijinks, and fish-out-of-water moments are key plot ingredients—and for good reason.
Those moments are relatable because they’re part of the human condition.
When I see people in real life make mistakes, it honestly helps me lower my guard. It makes me feel comfortable showing my flaws, too.
So, yes…recording those episodes felt like accomplishment. Like freedom. Like gratitude. And like relief.
I’m certain I will continue to find new ways to prove I am, in fact, human and abundantly relatable. But I’m good with that.
Shrinking doesn’t always feel like fear.
Sometimes it feels like wisdom.
Like waiting until all the ducks are in a row, you’ve taken all the classes on every piece of technology, and preparing until you’re old and gray.
Living visible doesn’t always look like big announcements, or bold moments of perfection.
It can look a lot like Doing the Hard Thing Anyway.
Believing Done is Better Than Perfect.
Failure Is Just Another Chance To Learn.
Being Your Own Biggest Cheerleader and Your Own Crown Straightener.
Showing up in real life, unedited. Maybe that looks like buttons misaligned, lipstick on your teeth, and a big old zit on media day. Maybe that looks like rocking it and letting yourself enjoy that feeling.
Maybe it simply means acknowledging the strength it took to step out of your comfort zone and pausing long enough to send yourself some love. You did it, girl.
With that in mind, I would LOVE to celebrate your own Living Visible moments. Whether you rocked the moment, had an oopsident that proved you’re human, or landed somewhere in the middle, I would genuinely love to know.
Today’s Radiant Statement: Growth Begins Where Comfort Ends
