Imperfectly Perfect

with guest author, Lizzie Brooks

As a “slowly recovering perfectionist,” I totally needed this blog today. Some days, it feels like the more I try to get things “right,” the more I wobble and simply miss the mark. But getting things perfect isn’t the goal—or at least, it shouldn’t be. Learning to have fun, connect with other people, and simply find joy in the middle of our struggles makes even the wobbliest effort SO worth it!

I’m so pleased to have KidLit author and writing coach, Lizzie Brooks, to the Writing While Impaired blog this month. I hope you find her journey as inspiring as I have!

Congratulations Lizzie on the upcoming publication of your picture book, IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY: A Wobbly Yoga Story! I absolutely LOVE that title. What is it about?

Thank you so much! The story is about a little girl who is great at just about everything so she assumes she’ll be perfect at yoga poses too–her name is Pose-y, after all. But to her dismay, she can’t do the poses like the other kids. Frustrated, she quits. She continues other activities, but yoga won’t leave her mind. One brave day, she returns and does all the poses perfectly. Just kidding! She still struggles—but this time, despite imperfection, she finds fun, connection, and joy, proving that success exists outside of perfection.

As a recovering perfectionist, that’s something I need to be reminded of every day! What inspired you to write this story?

It’s inspired by my own battle with perfectionism, and it’s a love note to my yoga students (and anyone who has found yoga less than easy). I hope readers come away with a helpful reminder that, as Posey says, “perfect’s not the point!”

That’s absolutely true! There’s so much joy to be found in the journey. And speaking of journeys, tell me a little bit about your writing process. How has your health impacted writing?

I'm "type-A" (slowly recovering–like Posey), so you'd think my process would have more structure. But for me, creativity wanes when I set a timer, or say I HAVE to write. So: half-caff coffee, kitchen table, dogs, and a glossary of terms related to my story at the top of the page–that's how I roll.

My health has impacted my work quite a bit. It's made it harder to stay in the flow of writing. No amount of rest makes my joint and eye pain go away, so I just write through the discomfort. And luckily, my occipital seizures and migraines are not daily, so I'm thankful. Sometimes I daydream about how I'd write if I didn't have so much pain. But I'm proud of what I can create in the midst of it.

Sometimes I daydream about how I’d write if I didn’t have so much pain. But I’m proud of what I can create in the midst of it.

I recently learned that I have a traumatic brain injury. I didn’t realize that you can have brain trauma decades before that still affects your brain inflammation and processing. This has explained a lot—even some of my vision issues and as mentioned, the processing. I’m taking things day by day and being kinder to myself when I get confused.

I’m so glad you are learning to be kinder to yourself. We have to focus on what we CAN do, right? Not what we can’t do. Is there anything you can do to overcome those hurdles to write?

I think I am in a place of acceptance where I know I just have to keep going because being creative is the most loving thing I can do for myself and my family. It sparks joy and wonder, and we all need that in this challenging world. I make sure not to beat myself up when I don’t write. I give myself permission to take long breaks. Sometimes the breaks are where I find the most inspiration. On breaks and while showering. The shower is the idea factory, no?

Yes! I get the best ideas in the shower—where I don’t have anything to write with! What advice would you give to writers who are struggling to write because of physical struggles?

Everyone is navigating different challenges, so it’s all very much up to what they specifically need, but I will reiterate that breaks don’t mean failure. Just like we put a bookmark in a book or pause a movie, we can take a moment away from the story we’re creating and come back later with more joy and fervor. Oh, and go outside. Listening to birds sing and watching bugs crawl around can be very therapeutic. I know those creatures don’t give a crud about my book and that’s somehow comforting. It makes me take it all less seriously. I’ll get back to spiraling tomorrow. ;)

Breaks don’t mean failure … We can take a moment away from the story we’re creating and come back later with more joy and fervor.

That is such good advice. I’m sure we can all relate to those spiraling thoughts. They can wait until another day! Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers today?

I’m not sure if your readers are familiar with Adriene Mishler of Yoga With Adriene on YouTube, but she was kind enough to endorse my little book and I am beyond honored.

Imperfectly Perfect Posey is a joyful reminder that the true practice of yoga - and of being human - has nothing to do with getting it “right.” Through Posey’s wobbles, flops, and brave return to the mat, this story offers children (and the grown-ups who love them) a gentle lesson in self-compassion, resilience, and the healing power of the breath. It celebrates the beauty in our bumps and the courage it takes to keep showing up–perfectly imperfect, just as we are.

-Adriene Mishler, Yoga With Adriene

What a beautiful reminder to keep showing up—perfectly imperfect, just as we are! Thank you so much Lizzie for sharing with us today!

How are you showing up today? Let us know in the comments so we can keep encouraging each other.

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LIZZIE BROOKS is a mom, yoga teacher, and recovering perfectionist. When she’s not writing, she mentors authors (her favorite people). She lives with some other favorites—her husband, son, and two dogs—who, despite her constant puns, still love her. Visit her at LizzieBrooksBooks.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Posey is great at art, climbing trees, and dancing, so she assumes she’ll be perfect at yoga poses too–her name is Pose-y, after all!

But to her dismay, Posey can’t do the poses like the other kids. Frustrated, she quits. She continues her other activities, but yoga won’t leave her mind.

One brave day, she returns and does all the poses perfectly. Just kidding! She still struggles—but this time, despite imperfection, she finds fun, connection, and joy, proving that success exists outside of perfection. We’re all imperfectly perfect!

Now available: Spinning Wheel Stories