Lowering Your Standards: Embracing a More Relaxed Approach to Life

When you hear the phrase “lower your standards,” it might sound like you’re settling for less or giving up too easily. However, this mindset can actually be a key to living a more stress-free and fulfilling life. In today’s society, pushing ourselves to the limit and constantly striving for high goals are often celebrated. Yet, this pursuit can sometimes lead to burnout and self-criticism. Let’s explore how lowering your standards can have a positive impact on your life.

Why Should You Lower Your Standards?

1. Reducing Stress
   Setting high expectations for ourselves often leads to unnecessary stress, especially if we fall short of those standards. Being overly strict with ourselves is not always the path to success. Instead, by setting more achievable goals and lowering our standards slightly, we can create a sense of ease and room to breathe. Reducing stress is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health.
2. Boosting Self-Esteem
   Lowering your standards allows you to experience small wins more frequently. For instance, instead of saying, “I need to study for an hour every day,” you can set a more manageable goal like, “I’ll study for just 10 minutes today.” This makes it easier to take action, and every time you achieve these smaller goals, you reinforce a positive mindset of “I did it!” These small successes can significantly boost your self-esteem over time.
3. Fostering Long-Term Growth
   High expectations can be unsustainable in the long run. Even if you push yourself for a while, burnout is often the end result. By lowering your standards, you can find a pace that suits you and allows for consistent effort. The key to long-term growth lies in small, steady progress rather than short bursts of intense effort that you can’t maintain.

How to Lower Your Standards

1. Let Go of Perfectionism
   Release the belief that everything needs to be perfect. It’s more important to keep going than to do things perfectly. For example, you don’t need to cook a perfect meal every time. Sometimes, it’s okay to rely on takeout or frozen food. Instead of thinking, “I didn’t cook today,” shift your perspective to, “I still made sure I ate something.” This change in mindset prevents self-criticism and lets you enjoy your daily life more.
2. Set Small, Concrete Goals
   Breaking big goals into smaller, more manageable steps is essential. Then, set a lower standard for each step. If you want to start exercising, for instance, instead of aiming to “go to the gym every day,” start with “exercise once a week.” This makes it more likely you’ll stick with it and slowly build a habit.
3. Make Self-Compassion a Habit
   No matter how small the achievement, make it a habit to acknowledge and praise yourself. “I did some cleaning today” or “I studied for 10 minutes” are worth celebrating. By recognizing that you’ve met even a lowered standard, you foster a positive attitude and motivate yourself for future actions.

Lowering Standards Is Not About Being Lazy

Some might think, “Aren’t I just being lazy if I lower my standards?” However, this approach is not about being lenient with yourself but about being kind to yourself. It’s a strategy to protect your mental well-being and to take realistic steps toward your goals. No one is perfect, and aiming for perfection doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness.

By lowering your standards, you create space in your life for relaxation and enjoyment. This mental ease can actually give you the energy and courage to try new things and explore new opportunities. In this way, lowering your standards can be seen as wisdom for leading a more fulfilling life.

In Conclusion

Lowering your standards is a step toward a more balanced and less stressful life. While setting high goals can be valuable, it’s even more important not to push yourself to the breaking point. By accumulating small successes and enjoying everyday life, you create a positive cycle that fosters growth and self-compassion. So why not try lowering your standards a bit? You may find that this simple change leads to greater happiness and lasting progress.