For you, who feels crushed by the need to 'do things right'.

Words to let go of perfection and lighten your heart.

When you've started to get a little used to a new environment.

"I feel like I'm getting tired easily lately."

Don't you ever feel that way?

At first,

"Okay, I'll do my best."

Even though you started with that thought in mind,

before you know it,

"I have to do it right."

"I have to meet expectations."

You are driving yourself forward with words like those.

On days when things don't go well,

"Why can't I do it?"

you blame yourself.

If you are spending your days like that right now,

I would be happy if you could relax your shoulders
and read this.

I, too, was caught in the 'I have to do it right' mindset.

A little while ago,

I became a manager in a new department.

A new environment.

New staff.

New responsibilities.

"I want to make this a workplace where everyone can work with peace of mind."

That feeling was genuine.

But while receiving the handover,

I became a little impatient.

My predecessor

was very thorough in their work,

and was trusted by the staff.

Seeing that,

I thought,

"I have to become that kind of manager, too."

That feeling,

eventually,

"I have to get results quickly."

"I must not betray expectations."

It turned into that kind of pressure.

What was painful was not
the work.

It wasn't that I hated the work.

It wasn't that I hated the staff either.

What was painful

was the 'perfection' I was imposing on myself.

Even though I had just started,

I thought I should be able to do things just like someone with years of experience.

That,

is impossible.

On my way home one day,

I finally realized.

"I was expecting too much of myself."

One phrase that saved me.

Since then,

I changed my inner mantra.

Until then,

it was 'I have to do it right',

but I changed it to

'If I can do it, that's a bonus.'

At first, I was skeptical.

But,

with just those words,

my shoulders relaxed in a way that felt mysterious.

On days I could do it,

"I did it."

On days I couldn't,

"There's always tomorrow."

That's enough.

I became able to think that way.

People who can be happy about small 'I did it' moments
are strong.

We

tend to only look at the 100% mark.

But,

I smiled a little more than yesterday.

I was able to say thank you to a staff member.

I was able to go to work today.

Even those things

are wonderful 'I did it' moments.

If you only count big successes as success,

life becomes painful.

But,

when you become able to be happy about small 'I did it' moments,

every day becomes a little kinder.

To you, who is doing your best.

Right now,

you who are working hard in a new environment.

You who are trying to meet someone's expectations.

You who have a strong sense of responsibility,

and tend to put yourself last.

To you.

Just for today,

instead of 'I have to do it right',

please tell yourself,

'If I can do it, that's a bonus.'

Even if you aren't perfect,

taking one step forward is enough.

There are days you can do it,

and days you stand still.

That is what it means to be human.

So,

please give yourself a little gold star

for today.



On days you are tired, it is okayto come back here.
🌙

Thank you
for reading until the end.

The harder you try,
the stricter you become with yourself.

That is exactly why you should stop sometimes,
and say kind words
to yourself.

This is a place for those who have been
carrying everything on their own.

On days you are tired,
it is okay to come back here anytime.🌙