
We’ve all heard it: “I need to be the best version of myself before I can be with someone.”
Sure, go ahead and aim for perfection — just don’t expect anyone to be around while you’re doing it.
If you’re waiting for the perfect version of yourself to finally show up, good luck, because that version may never exist.
Here’s the reality: perfection is an illusion.
It’s a shiny, unattainable myth designed to keep us chasing a ghost while we miss out on something real.
In the quest for perfection, you’ll likely find yourself constantly adjusting, improving, tweaking, and never quite getting to that perfect point. And guess what?
That’s totally fine.
Here’s the deal: relationships are about being willing — willing to accept love, willing to give love, and willing to compromise.
Perfection?
That’s irrelevant.
You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do need to have the basics: healthy boundaries, compassion, the ability to read red flags (because we all know they show up in neon lights if you’re paying attention), and a willingness to be present during the bad times, not just the good ones.
You see, you won’t be the perfect version of yourself tomorrow.
Or next week. Or probably even next year.
There will always be something to work on. So why not have someone by your side while you do? You’re never going to be a finished product — none of us are — but that doesn’t mean you can’t be worthy of love right now.
Here’s the kicker: being in a relationship doesn’t mean you’re co-dependent.
It means you’ve found someone who helps you grow in ways you didn’t even know were possible.
You don’t lose yourself in them; you rise together.
A partner doesn’t complete you — they challenge you to be better, to expand in ways that go beyond what you could do alone. But here’s the thing — you’re still you. You don’t need someone to “fix” you, and they don’t need you to fix them. You’re both doing the work together.
But let’s not sugarcoat this: it’s not always easy.
Relationships, like life, come with phases.
The highs are euphoric, but the lows? They can be soul-crushing. Some couples grow apart but come back stronger.
That’s not failure.
That’s love.
That’s two people pushing through the storm together because, at the end of the day, love isn’t about always being perfect. It’s about showing up — imperfect, raw, and vulnerable — and still choosing to stay.
So, stop waiting for the “perfect” you.
You’ll never get there, and you’ll be alone for a really long time if that’s your standard.
Relationships are messy, beautiful, and full of imperfections. Embrace them. You’re worthy of love in every phase of who you are, not just when you’ve hit some magical level of perfection. And, honestly, if you’re still trying to be perfect, you’re probably missing out on the most beautiful part of a partnership — the growth.
There is no perfect version of you — and that’s the best part.
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Hi, I’m Fiona, a writer going through an unexpected chapter in life.
I lost my job in April 2024, and my husband and I have been getting by on his small medical residency income. After stepping away from IVF, we were surprised and overjoyed to find ourselves pregnant, but it’s added financial stress as we prepare for this new journey.
Writing is my way of contributing to our family while covering essentials like groceries, bills and maybe items for our 🌈 miracle baby.
If you’d like to support us, your kindness would mean the world — every little bit helps. $1, $2…Anything is appreciated. Donate here (Venmo).
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Read also: Our Marriage Ended Before It Began: The Pregnancy That Shattered Everything
Read also: I’m Pregnant And Broke — My Cry For Help
Read also: How It Really Feels to Be That Person With $30K in Debt, Jobless, and Pregnant
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Zachary Ferguson on Unsplash
