logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
43m 39s

How To Embrace Imperfection

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

In our first "How To..." guide of 2025, Dr Laurie is asking how can we stop striving for perfection and make peace with the idea that it's ok to lead messy and "half-assed" lives. 

Oliver Burkeman (author of Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time For What Counts) explains how we can embrace imperfection and find liberation and joy in just doing our best. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Want More Joy? Try Taking Yourself Less Seriously with Comedian Chris Duffy
When we’re exhausted, overworked, or just going through a difficult time, our instinct is often to put our heads down and simply focus on getting through it. But those serious moments may actually be when we benefit from a little silliness and absurdity the most. Laurie explores ... Show More
45m 58s
Sep 25
Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed
Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds us that happiness is not a destination, bu ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 21
Why Smaller Goals Can Lead to Bigger Changes with Eric Zimmer
Most of us are familiar with this frustrating pattern: you set a goal, start off strong, but then lose motivation and end up right back at square one. Why does it seem so hard to change — even when you have a plan in place? Turns out, you may be aiming too high, too soon. Laurie ... Show More
47m 54s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
How to Break Free from Perfectionism and Embrace Imperfection and Authenticity
[EPISODE SUMMARY] In this episode the topic of perfectionism and how it affects our health and well-being. Kimberly shares her personal experience as a recovering perfectionist and provides actionable tips and strategies to break free from perfectionism and embrace authenticity. ... Show More
32m 49s
Mar 2025
3524: Why I'm Not Waiting on Perfection by Melissa Camara Wilkins with No Sidebar on Self-Love
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3524: Melissa Camara Wilkins explores the hidden burdens of perfectionism and how the relentless pursuit of flawlessness ca ... Show More
9m 23s
Oct 2024
How to Accept Limitations and Make Time for What Counts with Oliver Burkeman
In this episode, Oliver Burkeman, discusses how to accept limitations and make time for what counts. He offers a compelling exploration of the challenges inherent in daily living. With a focus on understanding imperfectionism and life’s constraints, his work provides practical st ... Show More
59m 7s
Oct 2024
Ep 228. Imperfectionism, imposter syndrome and feeling behind with Oliver Burkeman
Chatting to journalist and bestselling author Oliver Burkeman. His new book is Meditations for Mortals.We discuss:How to embrace 'imperfectionism' in your lifeWhat to do when you feel like you're 'behind' or always 'busy'.Why doing the things that matter to you can be so hard - a ... Show More
45m 7s
Mar 2025
384. The Logical Case for Positive Thinking with Oliver Burkeman
Do you constantly feel like you need to control everything in your life? Like if you could just be more organized, more productive, more perfect, then you’d finally feel at peace? What if the real secret to feeling more fulfilled was actually letting go of that control? This week ... Show More
35m 59s
Oct 2024
Oliver Burkeman - How can I more fully embrace my finitude?
This is a distilled version of last year's conversation with the writer Oliver Burkeman. In it, you'll hear Oliver talk about our troubled relationship with time and how to more fully inhabit it.Oliver believes our obsession with productivity and efficiency is no route to happine ... Show More
20m 45s
Apr 2025
How To Be Sanely Productive | Oliver Burkeman
tail spinning
1h 12m
Sep 2025
How to Stop Overthinking & Start Living a More Meaningful Life with Oliver Burkeman #580
Many of us feel under constant pressure to optimise every moment, to become more efficient, more productive and somehow more worthy. But what if embracing our limits could be the key to living a calmer, more meaningful life? This week’s returning guest on my Feel Better, Live Mor ... Show More
2 h
Oct 2025
I Allow Myself to Be Imperfect
This week's mantra is: "I Allow Myself to Be Imperfect." Perfection is a moving target, and chasing it only disconnects us from our humanity, our joy, and our growth. In this episode, we explore how to release unrealistic expectations, make peace with our flaws, and show up as ou ... Show More
42m 8s