If life were perfect I'd never learn, let alone change anything. If life were perfect I wouldn’t know how to cope when life was less than perfect.

If life were perfect, I'd have nothing to learn from or to aspire to. If life were perfect, I'd take everything for granted and lose what I have. If life were perfect my thoughts and feelings would be more orderly, instead of being all over the place. If life were perfect I wouldn’t be me, I’d be a different version of me.

Now if I was asked whether I’d change so that I was born into a perfect life my answer would be no. I’m happy with the lessons I’ve learned. With a perfect life, there would be no lessons for me to learn.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

Most people who read this blog

went on to read these blogs next
Date 4 November 2026
Author Ilana Estelle

The Two Versions of Me

The loss of my twin, my identity, my health and tinnitus Four years in and there are two versions of me. I call them Ilana 1 and Ilana 2. Ilana 1 was the woman I was when my twin was alive. She was healthier, didn't live with ...
Read more
Date 31 October 2026
Author Ilana Estelle

Being Understood: Growing Up with a Disability

Childhood Experiences and Their Lasting Impact A child's experience of growing up is shaped by more than the care they receive. It is also shaped by how well the people around them understand their needs, recognise their ...
Read more
Date 29 October 2026
Author Ilana Estelle

Autism and the Hidden Challenges of Living Independently

When the familiar world changes, leaving you to navigate life and the overwhelm of autism on your own Thank goodness for this blog – a place to make sense of my experiences. It's been a challenging life. Growing up ...
Read more
1 2 3 … 692

8 comments on “A perfect life”

  3. The perfect mess is what perfection is anyway.

    We are in love with our imperfection because imperfection is so liberating.

    Awesome post!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Tim! Yes of course. I agree with you that some of us will be in love with our imperfections.

      Not everyone will see the need for perfection or will need to have the perfect life, but some may struggle to come to terms with a life less than, particularly what we have in today's society.

      Unfortunately society puts pressure on us to be perfect.

      Reply

  4. Yes it would have been nice to have had the perfect life, but like most people I probably wouldn't have appreciated it!

    I know I haven't done the best I could have in my life but I also try to remember that I haven't done the worst things either. I'm only human!

    Reply

    1. Yes of course, thanks Randy. Your second paragraph is so true. I think the majority of people may resonate with that.

      I think what's important is what we do from here. I don't have a perfect life, but I would like a quiet life!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to receive regular updates

Enter your details below to be the first to receive updates on new articles on my blog. 
© The CP Diary • In Dedication of Jesse Bauer | Privacy Policy
Website Design by Fallen Leaf