Done is Better Than Perfect (Even in the Laundry Room)

A mentor once told me something that’s stuck with me for years: “Done is better than perfect.”

I’ve been able to apply that mantra to so many parts of my life: work deadlines, household projects, even motherhood itself. And most recently? To my kids’ muddy shoes.

Here’s the situation: my kids have been wearing plain old white sneakers to soccer practice instead of cleats. No big deal, except fall means wet grass and mud, and their shoes are looking rough. My original plan was to wash everyone’s shoes together, because in my head that seemed like the “right” way to do it.

But reality check:

• My toddler’s shoes are sitting right here.

• My five-year-old is literally wearing his shoes, so those are off the table.

• I have no idea where my 10-year-old’s shoes even are (send help).

  
  

So instead of waiting until I have all the shoes lined up perfectly, I’m just grabbing the toddler’s and throwing them in with the next load. Because honestly? I’ll be doing 15 loads of laundry this week anyway. At least two of them will be towels and jeans—the perfect “shoe loads.”

It’s not perfect. But it’s progress.

And that’s really the heart of it: sometimes we hold out for the “perfect moment” or the “perfect way” to get things done, and it ends up meaning we don’t do anything at all. But motherhood (and laundry) don’t wait for perfect. They just keep piling up.

So today, I’m reminding myself: done really is better than perfect. Even if it’s just one pair of muddy toddler shoes at a time.

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You spend your days giving your all to your kids—feeding them, cheering them on, holding them up. What if you gave yourself a little of that same love? At Kristian Hutchings Portraits, I’ll handle your hair, makeup, and posing while you relax, letting yourself be seen and cherished in portraits that reflect the incredible woman you are.

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Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.