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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Don’t strive for perfection – find happiness in the everyday

Young laughing woman holding autumn leave on her face.
‘Often our parks, gardens, streets and public buildings are every bit as appealing as holiday-brochure vistas.’ Photograph: Getty

Like Sophie McBain, I’m fed up with articles about self-improvement, being the best and having the best (The big idea: is being ‘good enough’ better than perfection?, 1 January). But why do we even need to be good enough? For what and for whom? It all implies that life is a performance in which our possessions and actions are subject to judgment by eyes seen (our bosses, families and friends) and unseen (social media, news outlets, people we pass in the street).

Could we aim for what gives us satisfaction, happiness, contentment and fulfilment? It doesn’t have to entail the superlative or even comparative. Could we treasure the unexpected moments of happiness we have done nothing to merit and paid nothing for?

Often our parks, gardens, streets and public buildings are every bit as appealing as holiday-brochure vistas. You don’t have to queue for hours in an airport terminal. Delighting in the everyday is relaxing, affordable and sustainable.
Yvonne Williams
Ryde, Isle of Wight

• Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.

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