When Perfectionism Keeps You Stuck: Why Small Wins Matter More Than the 'After' Photo

Are You a Perfection Seeker Like Me?

I was chatting with a client recently, and she shared something that hit me hard.She said,

I am a perfectionist but I’m afraid of telling people because I know they will not understand the many piles I have all over my home.

It made perfect sense to me.

Beautiful Spaces Feel Out of Reach When Perfectionism Is Running The Show

We’re constantly bombarded with perfectly organized pantries, rainbow closets, drawers full of folded clothes that could be in a catalog, and drool-worthy labels. (Seriously… is it just me who drools over a good label?)

I love a beautiful “after” photo, but when that’s the goal we’re chasing, it’s no wonder we feel stuck.

My client dreams of a life where everything has a home and her space feels beautiful. But it’s hard to start when the vision is so far from the current reality. And when you can’t see the middle part, the messy, awkward, non-Instagrammable part and it makes starting feel impossible.

That’s executive function in action (or in this case, inaction).

We know where we want to go… but the path to get there feels invisible.

This is why we have to name the perfectionism. It’s okay to want things to be beautiful and organized. It’s okay to crave a calm, clutter-free home. But it’s not okay when that perfection keeps us from making progress.

What Organizing Actually Looks Like

Organizing isn’t just a before-and-after moment. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s not real life, it’s curated content. Inspiration is great, but only if we understand that the real work looks different.

So what if we sought progress instead?

• Let go of one item instead of clearing the whole closet.

• Toss that expired spice instead of reorganizing the entire cabinet.

• Make space for the shoes you do wear by letting go of the ones you don’t.

Small wins matter.

Action breeds clarity.

And progress doesn't need to be perfect to be powerful.

A Habit That Shifted Everything

I still remember reading Atomic Habits when I was a corporate leader. James Clear’s concept of making a 1% improvement in the direction of where you want to go changed how I live.

Now, I ask myself this simple question daily:

Instead of seeking perfection, what do I want?

And what’s one small step I could take in that direction today?

Feeling like you want to take a small step today?

Find an episode on our new playlist page that aligns with where you're at today.

Need an even smaller one-click step. Check out this episode from season 1 for small change solutions. S1E29 – Embracing Incremental Change: Decluttering Strategies for ADHD S1E33 – ADHD Coaching for Clutter-Free Living and Self-Empowerment 

---

Megs is the creator of the Organizing an ADHD Brain Podcast, where she helps women with ADHD and other neurodivergent folks declutter their homes and routines without shame. Her work is rooted in lived experience, gentle honesty, and the belief that small steps count. She’s here for the real-life version of organizing—the one that makes room for joy, rest, and a little bit of chaos.