Perfectionism

I used to be a perfectionist. I wasn't obsessive compulsive about it, but I certainly liked to have things organized and in their place at all times. I was proud of this character trait. However, after getting married and having two kids my perfectionism has gone by the wayside. My husband gets frustrated that I want the house picked up and company ready at all times. He doesn't understand the embarrassment I feel when my neighbor stops by and sees my kitchen in a horrible state of disgust! But I know that our home, family, and children won't be the picture I have in my head. I really do KNOW that, but I'm not going to stop wanting my home to be clean, my children to be polite, and my attitude to be positive. Even if it takes work to get it all there. Why do I have to feel bad for wanting theses things? We may not be able to afford better things, but we can make the best of what we do have. My mom always said that you don't have to be dirty just because you're poor (or something like that). I'm going to continue to want a clean home. I'm going to continue to work at having it, but not at the expense of time with my children or husband. That is the point my husband tries to make. He doesn't like that my attitude is bad when our home is a mess. I put stress on myself to keep our home at least picked up, but it is far from clean. There is always more to be done. Life is such a balancing act.

This sort of puts things in perspective:
http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/12/dear-mom-who-likes-everything-perfect.html