At 70, I live by two mantras…do what brings you joy and expect the best. They both serve me well.

Your video reminded me of a sign I once saw hanging on an acquaintance's wall: "My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy". Love, Anneke

This is also so good for people like me that get paralyzed in the to do list and do NOTHING!

This reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha when Martha was too busy to sit at the feet of Jesus with Mary!!! When my children were young you literally could have eaten off my floors (which my sister use to tell all her friends!) but now I enjoy looking at the hand prints of my grandson on the windows and miss him when he isn’t here! My saying is “life’s short don’t sweat the small stuff”. There will be plenty of time for a clean house after your children are gone. Thanks for the reminder!❤️❤️❤️

It was Voltaire who said “Perfection is the enemy of good” and he was right. It’s a hard lesson to learn for those of us who are plagued by the desire to be perfect and to expect perfection. I had an Aha moment that changed me as well. Years ago I bought a mug in haste while on vacation. When I came home and unpacked it I noticed that one of the dots in the mug’s pattern was a little askew. No one would notice but it jumped out at me whenever I looked at it. It really upset me having wasted my money and suitcase space on ‘junk’. Needless to say the mug was relegated to the back of the mug collection. Then I injured my hand, and wouldn’t you know it, that mug was the only one I could comfortably hold because of the angular shape of its handle. The lesson for me was that imperfect things can end up being ‘just right’ for the job. Age has made me more humble and has lowered my expectations of others and the world in general. I’ve learned to say ‘good enough’ and I’m much happier and relaxed for it.

Renee your right, Done is better then perfect I say that every time I put on my makeup 💄 at 67 & full white gray hair 🎉🎉👍👍

In honor of Father’s Day, I will share my father’s lesson to us when we were kids. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” It isn’t exactly the same thing, but has the similar effect of not getting bogged down in the minutiae or stressing over things that don’t matter.

I love the real, simple and not “ perfect” videos you post! I’m a concert violinist and in all my professional life, I was expected to provide perfection…. There is no perfection in life, art or even humans! And I love the fact that you don’t have music in your videos. It’s very soothing, not pretentious and a pleasure to watch. Looking forward to your future videos on YT💐

Renee, I think when we get older we realize everything doesn't have to be perfect. We waste precious time when were young. I agree with everything you said. We only have a short time on this earth, let us not be so spastic about the little things. Love your show!

I love your mantra! When I was getting overwhelmed and stressed out at my new job, a coworker gave me a clip belt that states "Progress not Perfection!" You are so right. We aren't perfect and shouldn't expect to be perfect. Have a great weekend!

The reason we all love you, is because you're real. You girl, are a boss lady and that's what I admire about you. You don't know me, but I have adopted many of your philosophies and I'm better for it. So thank you for just being you! Much love from Ontario NY 🥰

Renee, you are so right sometimes we forget the important things. We need to stop and motivate ourselves, but not to the extent of feeling obligated to look perfect or be perfect in everything we do. I think that as we get older, we realize that those things that we thought were so important or not important at all. The sooner we realize this, we will be so much happier. Thank you for a great video! 😊

that is a perfect mantra. i imagine it makes you smile

I am so glad to hear this from you, Renee - It sounds like you spent so many years running on high level perfectionism, it is most likely much healthier to not obsess over every minute detail, and find joy and fulfilment in letting go a little bit! A few years ago I began to tell myself when I finished whatever project or chore that I was working on, "It's not perfect but it is better than when I started"; life is too short to stress out over little things!

Thank you for this video, All the perfectionists need to see this! Being a perfectionist myself, I see the truth in this mantra, always getting myself so caught up in the details, wasting time, stressing & not being productive, because it wasn’t perfect!! I’m also adopting this mantra starting today!❤

This reminded me about my late Mom who had chore day and we all had our chores. What I remember about my graduation day (1967) was hurrying to get the polishing done before we could leave for the ceremony. That’s so sad that that’s what I remember. Not that it was happy occasion to celebrate my achievements and awards.

I think you just described why I really love your videos and Instagram!! Perfection is not attainable and when I see creators who "create" the moment it doesn't feel like something we might actually live. Thanks for being real!

You are authentic and that’s what has made your channel so successful. You are our friend. Thank you for all you do for us.

I love your mantra! Though I have never been a perfectionist I can still relate to your mantra. I like things tidy but my husband doesn’t pay much attention to tidy. So, I make sure things get cleaned up and after 49 years together I just tidy up after him and don’t stress about trying to get him to do it. Tidy is my thing after all, not his…and I remind myself about this each and every day. 😊

I say “ I am living in REAL LIFE!” My home and life are lived in.

I’ve just had a bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction and the hardest thing for me has been letting go and accepting the help I have needed during recovery, and not looking too closely at my house, or dwell on the things I cannot do right now. My husband has done his very best to take care of me and keep things in order. I’ve been forced to accept that it is enough, and boy, it is hard to do that. This has been a lesson I really needed, I’ve learned that if my house isn’t perfect and people come over, I won’t just die from embarrassment. I’ve learned to accept help from others and to really appreciate my friends and family for all they’ve done to help me through this. They don’t care if my house isn’t perfect, nor are they even expecting it, I put that on myself.

many of the fancy technical perfect videos I see are just smoke and mirrors. Trying to be perfect in such an imperfect world filled with facades. Thank you Renee for this video as a positive reminder to all.

Renee, I've been with you for years. I watched you through the ice cream store and threw your gray hair transition. I love your videos. But this mantra is going to be something I adopt. I'm like you, everything has to be perfect and I drive my own self crazy. No more. I'm 67 years old and I don't have the energy for it anymore frankly. LOL

I live with a husband that was taught from his father to be as close to perfect as you can. It makes everyone around you miserable. If he would do anything small around the house, it might take a lot of the day. Saying that, it was done right, but I think he has put more on his self and others around him. I believe that done is better than perfect. You don’t need to do everything you do like you will never need to do it again. He has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and can’t been his mind on doing the things he has done his while life. Enjoy life and the people you love, that’s what is the most important thing. Thank you for making this video, it may make people stop and think what is most important. Enjoy watching your videos. Have a good day.

I’ve always loved that saying too. Hard for me at times…but good to remember.

I get this. “Done is better than Perfect”. I love this. I’m retired and I realized that I don’t have to spend a full day cleaning my home. I take one or two rooms and the rest wait for another day. This mantra speaks exactly how I feel. Thanks for sharing. I love your content the way it is. This is what keeps me returning and why I subscribed 😊

I’m a worrier for sure and how I have helped myself to relax is this, “Bless it and let it go”. By that I mean, I ask myself have you done everything you can do to rectify the issue? Is it out of your control? If the answer is yes, I just let it go. This mantra has served me well!

Love your quote to live by. I was a procrastinator due to trying to be perfect. Now I "Live by grace, not perfection". Much better for me and those around me! So glad I found your channel.

Just the message I needed today ❤ Thank you Renee!!!

yes, love your mantra and your videos are just fine the way they are.

Renee just wanted to say that my Saturdays were like yours used to be. Back then i was able to clean my entire house like you in just one day because I was young, had energy & good health. That also meant missing time with my husband on our only day off. When our only child was born it bothered me that I couldn't do that anymore because I was now a "24-hour" mom to a newborn. Thankfully, I realized that being a 24-hour mom was what I was meant to be, not a 24-hour maid. Mom & wife was more important than anything. I quit work, stayed home to spend time loving my child but still being able to keep a clean home, homeschool her and giving her all the tools to be a woman who one day may be in my shoes. She's almost 27 now living on her own living her best life enjoying friends and taking those trips and just being free enough to have no regrets. I must've done something right bc her place is "done but not perfect" and that's fine with me.

This was very helpful to me Renee. I am a perfectionist and it holds me back from getting chores done at times. I either go full force and get it as close to perfect as possible or I get overwhelmed by the thought of a task and just don’t do it, such as cleaning a closet. I am taking on your mantra….Thank you😃

Amen! I bought a t-shirt a couple of years ago that says “Be real, not perfect.” Like you, my Saturdays were spent cleaning and washing clothes, yardwork, all the things. I now regret in my old age not spending that time with my children doing fun things. I enjoy your videos and appreciate your hard work!🙌🏻

I'm retired for 12 years. Worked for the government for 30+ years. My office was never immaculate. But I did know where everything was and could produce it within a few moments. If I couldn't, I took it as a sign that it was time to clean my office. To the outsider, it didn't appear organized. But to me - totally organized. Cleaning everything immaculately is a waste of time. You'll just have to do it again tomorrow. It can be done well enough and that's enough.

Oh my! Did this video ever speak to me. Almost my life story, except we had 2 boys. It took my complete bed rest for my boys to convince me Done is better than perfect, But even though they are grown I still sweat the small stuff too much. I could totally relate to stressing over spacing/white space, being consistant with abbreviations, My husband would say who cares, my reply was I DO at 1:00 in the morning getting out a newsletter for my early childhood teachers in the district.

Love this saying, Renee! I learned about it a year ago and it has changed my life for the better. It has made medical school more manageable. The perfectionism was preventing me from getting things done. Thank you for sharing!! ❤

Thanks, Renee, I needed to hear this today. The desire for perfection keeps me from accomplishing many things. I wrote your mantra down and put it where I can see it all the time💕 Love your videos!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POLLUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may be a therapy session for yourself to speak what needs to get off your heart. Because as far as I can tell, none of us want your videos to have one more detail or be any different than what you brought to us today.

Great video reminding all of us ladies (& men) to leave time for life. Take that little or big trip, have fun with family, read a book, make those crafts, play a recreational sport with friends and enjoy being in the moment. Time passes in a blink of an eye and it doesn't go backwards for us to change how we spent our days. ❤

Amen sister agree 120%. Have a great weekend. Your friend Rena'

I love your videos ! As a perfectionist I get this ! I’m sixty and look back with regret at how I mothered my children because of feeling stressed out so much . Play more with your children and learn to let go !

I LOVE this mantra!!!!!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Renee, perfect timing! I was just getting ready to upload my video to utube and noticed paper noise from my notes in the background. Then the dog was barking at a squirrel right outside my window, I stopped the video, went to take care of the dog, she got off the deck and chanced the squirrel. By the time I got back in the house to start shooting the video again I was hot so I took off a sweater I was wearing to cover my old arms and left my microphone hooked to it! So, the sound was hallowed on the last video! After listening to you I just uploaded the darned thing! Thank you! 💕💕

This is such an important message - thank you so so much ❤

hair is gorgeous today. all sparkly in sunshine

I totally agree Renee. I used to make custom couture dresses. I would finish a dress and find myself checking it over and over. Every seam. Every part of it. I would then decide it was perfect but when I went to bed I would start stewing about it and thinking things like the customer is not going to like it or maybe I should have done something different.. I never ever had a complaint and one for one my dresses were a hit but the stress I put myself through was unnecessary . It took me a long time to learn this lesson but it is very true

Great message Renee, you are wise and dedicated to your projects. Thanks for sharing parts of your life journey and thoughts as we all strive to sojourner on,

I really needed to hear this today. Meeting a new potential fur family member (cat) tomorrow. Working today as usual. Had to remind myself that new special litter box for a cat with mobility issues has been delivered, the new food dishes get delivered today, and got told what brand of food he's eating at the shelter and that's being delivered tomorrow. Needed this reminder to take a breath and just be and focus on the important things things.

I like your mantra and I think it will help many to value their time and do what is truly important to them.

I agree with your mantra, Renee, but let me expand on that. I’m older than you, and I’ve noticed that by trying to be in the moment and actually paying attention to what I’m doing, I do a better job and it’s more fulfilling. Instead of trying to rush through things, barely focused on wiping that counter just trying to hurry with my mind whirring about what I need to do next, or dwelling on something that already happened and can’t be changed, I simply think about wiping the counter, I “slow my roll” 😂 and think about the task at hand, not just swiping and running to the next thing. It takes no extra time, and it makes me feel more content about what I did. It sure takes practice being in the moment, but it helps me feel like my life isn’t rushing by, while I’m running around like a deranged chicken 🐔 😊

Perfect mantra Renee! 🙂

I love that quote so much!!!

Greetings Renee! This is such a helpful video! That certainly is a wonderful mantra, and I hope it will help me as I go throughout my day. Love and blessings ♥️🙏

You help all of us so so much love your channel thanks again 🥰

I like the more realistic video's, they're more relatable! Love you and your channel! 🤗🥰

Amen sister! Progress not Perfection.

You have GOT to be a Virgo!!! I am the same way, I drive people crazy and I drive myself crazy!!!

Love this !! I will be using this❤

It’s a great philosophy I’m glad you found it……..

Here’s a little challenge for Renee and for anyone who likes to stay “busy” every day never resting. Eliminate coffee in the morning. Wait about two weeks. After the two weeks analyze all of your busy-making activities and decide which ones really matter to you. Then rest more. Sleep more. Watch how your body and hormones regulate themselves. I used to be like this, just “busy” all day long never resting. I ended up with chronically elevated cortisol because of the daily coffee consumption which causes weight gain. It’s the hardest challenge I’ve ever conquered, and the most eye opening. You’ll value being busy less and your own wellbeing much more. Cheers to you all.

Great video Renee, I try to do a room a day. My mum used to say the dust will be tomorrow ❤

Done is better than perfect- love it my new mantra.❤

Awesome video, Renee! Thanks for this.

Brilliant Renee. I Will incorporate into my day to day “done is better than perfect”

So true! Thanks for the reminder. I have incorporated this into most of my life. I,too, was too caught up in shoulds and perfectionism when my children were young. I have learned to lighten up. On many areas of life- but not so much on new and unknown things. Your words today have given me grace and inspiration as I have contemplated content creating for a long while now but my fear of perfect has held me back. Thanks for the loving kick in the pants!

Yes I lived my early years with people saying they could eat off my floors they were so clean, no weeds in gardens and lawns everything was perfect , now in my late 70’s health has forced me to slow right down and I’m sitting an awful lot looking at what I can’t do anymore 🥲 your mantra is good when I watch you ladies doing your content it’s nice to think we’re having a cuppa together as friends do. So please continue your chatty videos maybe make yourself a cuppa sometimes and sit with us to chat . Thank you 🙌🌺💕

This was a great video, Renee, one of your best. I thought about your mantra on my beach walk this morning. I have put pressure on myself to be perfect all my life, instead of accepting imperfection and loving myself as I am. Takes work to change that thought process, day by day until it becomes a habit.

I love your quote. I find myself saying "It is what it is" a lot!

Love your mantra! I’ve had similar struggles with perfectionism. I tell myself on a regular basis to get out of my own head!! I’ll add yours too. Thanks for sharing!

I agree with you 100 percent!

OH MY! We are twins! It was like looking in a mirror of myself!! 😂😂 And I absolutely am shamelessly stealing your “Mantra”!

Renee, I agree with everything you said. I love your mantra! I think age really helps us realize what is important and what things can wait (or are no longer important at all). I’m also a perfectionist. But as I’ve gotten older, I like to think I’ve learned not to be one so much. It’s definitely liberating to let go of what we used to think was important in the every day. Being retired now, I am enjoying not being quite as perfect and your mantra has reminded me that there are other women like me and they (like you) have let go of perfection. How wonderful! Thank you for this video! A home run in my book. Have a great weekend!

That is a great way to live! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.

Great video Renee Love a good quote Done is Better Than Perfect love it My new saying or quote is Old Habits Never Open New Doors I'd like it printed on tshirts Thanks Renee

Enjoyed the video Rene.

That was so needed right now. I’m 81 and a long time quilter and sewist. I’m easily discouraged now because things just don’t turn out the way I expect them to be so I give up. I have so many things waiting for me to finish it’s embarrassing. Thank you for your post. I’m going to put that mantra on my bulletin board and follow it. ❤

I love that mantra! I honestly don't need to see fancy graphics and hear music especially when the content is so good. My mantra has been Let Them since I have FOMO! 😂 I heard that one from Mel Robbins.

Love this video. I feel so relieved now. Thank you.

Amen! I so needed to hear this. I love it!

Renee.. Thank you for your mantra and sharing it. I can relate to being a perfectionist and taking so much time making sure it’s just right. I will definitely keep this in mind to complete something faster. Also when you mentioned spending so much time cleaning when you could have spent it more with your kids I can also relate to. I love your channel and have learned so much from you. Thank you.

Great video! With age comes wisdom....my mantra is "better", not perfect but better.

I loved this video ❤ I love the mantra and now I can’t “unhear” it🥰 I’ve always tried to do this, but I never put it in those terms. When my two kids were young (now I have grandchildren and great grandchildren) I believe it more than ever!!! I know they will remember the time you spent together much more than if every surface in my entire house was spotless. I have so many ❤ heart memories to treasure. True wisdom…thank you for sharing!

Love this Montra!!! Thank you for sharing and you are totally right!!!!

Amen!

I am so EXCITED!!! This is my 2 video of yours today!!! ❤I needed this because I am a big time unmotivated procrastinator…wanna be perfectionist. So, instead I just don’t get done as much as I should or could…I am hoping this five word mantra will help me out! Thanks for sharing! I found you first and the first video I watched was on how you style your curly hair video from about a year ago. Then you mentioned a daughter in Milwaukee…my home state where I was born and haven’t been back since I was 14….going in 59 this September. Anyway, thank you for the video and the previous one. I too love the “CATWALK curls rock amplifier” That product has been hard to find at times so I quit using it. Then I came across someone that only uses that product when I went out looking for it. I also came across TIGI BED HEAD curls, rock amplifier in a mint green with purple top bottle. I didn’t read all the ingredients, but I think they seem similar. I have to get my hair trimmed because I’ve been blow drying my wavy 2B level curls and they aren’t too happy with me. Anyway, I just subscribed and look forward to going backwards watching all your content! I hope you are having a great summer! ❤

Right on Renee! I love this video, this took guts. Yes, life is short, and time goes by quickly. Enough is just that. Enjoy your life, your loved ones and kick that self pressure out the door. Blessings.

Hi Renee love your thought provoking video today . My words of wisdom for myself as the years go by is “ I get to” not “ I have to”. Every day hour minute is a privilege ❤️

It took me to my 50’s too to not stress the small stuff & not be a perfectionist. Now, I don’t worry when people come over. My house is always neat, but may not be spick & span. They are coming to see me, not my house. I don’t want to spend my time off just cleaning. I’ve enjoyed it & my free time immensely. Btw, love your more authentic videos more than the “commercial” ones.

Boy do I relate to this! I also worked a high level corporate job for many years. I had an amazing boss who told me this “80% is good enough”, meaning it doesn’t need to be perfect. I used to stress over finding the perfect colour, or perfect font, or perfect presentation. I’m now in my 60s and so much more relaxed. My mantra is “ good enough is good enough”. No one cares about the perfect flower arrangement or perfect table setting. Life is short! Enjoy the ride. I’m a recent subscriber and boy am I glad I came across your channel. Keep being you! 🙏💕

Great video and a wonderful message. Enjoy life and don’t sweat the small stuff. God bless!

Love your videos! I’m with you, done is better than perfect. I don know why it took me so long to figure it out…

You are such an inspiration. It’s crazy how we can get caught up in the little details.

I love my to do lists! I sometimes feel guilty when I know I haven’t done things perfectly. I’ll remember your mantra! Thank you!

Helpful video. We’re all a work in progress. My aunt was a busy lady and one thing she said while cleaning as I was a child has stayed with me: it’s getting a lick and a promise. I labeled myself for years as an organized person but my daughter in law said no, you’re OCD. Anyway, now that I’m 78, I am alone and do what I can when I can. I do have regrets though. One more thing, my late husband grew up with a father who was a principal raising 5 boys and expected a lot from them that left a lifetime of stress with my husband. He practiced perfectionism for sure. One incident I can’t forget was replacing a screw under a table and he would not use a screw that didn’t match. Nobody was going to look under the table to check! Bless his heart.

Great mantra! I too, used to get bogged down in the details, especially back in the day when I was working in my marketing job. One day, when I was particularly stressed out, a very wise boss shared with me her mantra - "20 year theory" - if someone would remember in 20 years the particular thing I was getting stressed about, then it probably is important. But if it is something forgetable, then it wasn't worth the stress in my life. And yes, I can't remember what I was stressed out that particular day, but I do remember her advice! Love your videos!

Renee, I get it and I totally agree. Thanks for sharing and it definitely keeps me moving along. Enjoy. 😊

You hit the nail on the head, love the saying! Thanks for sharing🩷

Love this Renee! I’m always getting good insights from you. I can totally relate to many of things you shared. Adding this to my “mantras”!! ❤ Amen, done is better than perfect! Enjoy your weekend!! 😊

Love this😊 I’m adding this to my list of mantras. I also love WIN-What’s Important Now. Thank you for your inspirational videos ❤