Imperfect but Inspiring

You have a voice. Use it.

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22 June 2025

They say that perfection is the enemy of the good.

Perfection is the problem. So many people are terrified to start something, even something they feel really strongly about, because they’re worried they won’t be perfect.

Perfection causes inaction. It stops us in our tracks. It is this haunting voice that screams out, ‘You’re not good enough!” “You’ll fail!” “You’ll be judged!” And very sadly, so many possibly amazing opportunities are lost because of this.

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imposter syndrome (noun)

1. the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.

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But we have a problem.

We’re running out of time. We don’t have the luxury of wondering ‘what if’ anymore. We don’t have the time to slowly hone our skills, perfect our craft, and tweak our delivery so that the output is flawless.

The planet is on fire.

And we need to act now.

Perfection is now the enemy of progress - the progress we need in saving our own species. The progress that has to be made to stop catastrophic climate disasters, resource wars, and mass migration. The progress that should have been made yesterday.

Our species is counting on your voice - to connect and join forces with other voices that might feel as awkward, insignificant, and unimportant as you. To shout from the rooftops that I’m not perfect, but I have a message that needs to be heard.

A message of hope. A message of a better future narrative. A message that things need to change and business as usual cannot continue.

We have a responsibility to ourselves and to our future generations. We have been given a voice to speak for those who cannot. We have a responsibility to use our voice for the people who exist seven generations from now.

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There are three scenarios that could happen:

Scenario 1: Business as Usual: 2.5–3°C warming

• Worsening climate disasters, rising injustice

• Nature treated as a resource for profit

• A system built on exploitation, not well-being

Scenario 2: The Great Unravelling: 4–6°C warming

• Ecosystem collapse, social systems unravel

• Mass migration, disease, conflict

• The sixth mass extinction is underway

Scenario 3: The Great Turning: Temperature rise limited to 1.5°C

• Regenerative systems & circular economy

• Climate, racial & social justice

• A new era: The Symbiocene, where humans live in harmony with Earth

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Here’s the kicker … we already have all the answers.

We just need to stop waiting for a perfect way of implementing them and make small but impactful changes And we need to do this together.

Every imperfect voice has its unique gift to contribute to finding the solution. Every one of us, no matter how much we feel like an imposter, unknowledgeable, unqualified, has to do something.

We can flip the script. We don’t have to accept this reality of doom and gloom, apathy, and depression. A better future is possible and the solutions already exist. All we have to do is adopt them in our imperfect everyday lives.

The planet doesn’t need 100 perfect ecological activists.

The planet needs 8 billion imperfect human beings working together towards change.

This is your responsibility - to do your part for the betterment of your life. Every time we work on our imperfections, every time we accept our flaws, we accept our true nature and we accept our place in this world. Every time we look inwards and ask, “Why am I over consuming?” “Why am I wasting?” “Why do I hurt others for my own good?” - We stop.

Awareness is the first step to change.

And with awareness, we realise something is wrong and cannot continue. And slowly, we work towards correcting our mistakes. We start telling stories of how our lives have changed - feelings of joy, happiness, freedom. Feelings of compassion, community, connection. Still imperfect - but so inspiring. We invite others to do the same. To face their flaws, their blemishes, their insecurities - and fix them.

And slowly, we become an entire species working towards the betterment of ourselves. Not for material wealth, but for internal peace. To know there’s nothing wrong with being imperfect.

To know - the planet has accepted us, as imperfect as we are. That’s why we’re here on Earth.

The planet has accepted our imperfections. It's time we accept them too - and use them for good.

“Existence already accepts you, that’s why you are here. Otherwise you would not be. This is my basic teaching to you. Existence already accepts you. You do not have to earn it, you are already worthy. Relax, enjoy the way nature has made you.”

- Osho

Because, we’re all we’ve got.

Imperfections and all.

Sharing pictures from my weekend of inspiration for this article.

My work at The Eco Chapter involves bringing small groups of people together to work towards the small changes we want to see in ourselves and in the world.

The Eco Chapter’s final in-person Eco Book Club for 2025 at my house.

A workshop I created and delivered on “Imperfect but Inspiring: Finding Your Voice as an Eco Content Creator.” A collaboration with Eco Cupid for their Local Eco Explainers Singapore Season 1 Media Workshop.

What I can offer, HERE.

💌 Let’s talk: change@theecochapter.com

In service of our planet,
💚 Marla Lise, Earthling at The Eco Chapter