Curiosity Catch-Up #7
Procrastination-busting and perfect pliés
In last week’s issue of The Curiosity Journal, I mentioned that I had slipped back into my procrastinator-perfectionist ways. So for this week’s Curiosity Catch-Up, the book that always gets me out of that mindset, plus we go dancing.
📖 The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power - Katherine Morgan Schafler
I have read The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control cover-to-cover at least twice and certain sections probably dozens of times. It is one of my go-to books when I need a reminder that perfectionism is my superpower, but it can also hold me back in certain ways. I often recommend it to clients, even if they don’t consider themselves perfectionists.
Perfectionists are intelligent people who understand that everything can’t work out perfectly all the time. What they sometimes have trouble with is understanding why they still feel so disappointed by imperfection in the face of that intellectual concession. What they sometimes wonder about is why they feel so compelled to endlessly strive. What they’re sometimes confused by is what they’re striving for in the first place. What they often question is why they can’t just enjoy relaxing “like a normal person.” What they want to know is who they are outside of what they accomplish.
Every human being encounters versions of these existential curiosities at some point. Perfectionists think about them all the time. (Morgan Schafler, 2023: xvii)
📺 Étoile
Étoile is a new comedy series on Prime Video, which takes you into the world of professional ballet. I love anything that is a behind-the-scenes look into a creative industry. The cast is great, the ballet is beautiful, and it’s my kind of humour. Plus, I love strong, quirky female characters, and this series has plenty. It reminds me a bit of Mozart in the Jungle, another Prime Video series, which, if you haven’t watched it yet, you should.
📲 STEEZY Studio
I have been wanting to do dance classes for awhile now but kept procrastinating. After watching Étoile, I sucked it up and downloaded STEEZY Studio (the name is a bit rubbish but it’s a good app). It’s an app with various dance styles and levels that you can do from the comfort of home. It’s been fun learning ballet again and discovering muscles that my yoga body hadn’t been activating. I’m now doing perfect pliés in the kitchen while I make dinner.
Next thing on my procrastination-busting list is horse riding lessons. I’ll let you know if I’m brave enough to do that one…
Speaking of procrastination-busting, don’t forget to subscribe to Collected Curiosities I for the first piece of writing coming soon.
Ax