Becoming "the best version of yourself": an ideal or a trap?

What if the idea of becoming ''the best version of yourself'' was just an illusion? Is it really what we’re seeking? Discover how to accept who you are while evolving, and how to find a balance between perfection and authenticity.

Some of you might not agree with me, while others, like me, may have already thought about it this way.

Four years ago, I got into the personal development world. I’ve lost count of the number of books I've bought or borrowed from the library on the subject. Everything focuses on how to become the "best version of yourself." As this sentence is supposed to be a motivating mantra, I wonder if this idea is truly inspiring or if it creates unnecessary pressure and constant frustration instead. Becoming a better version implicitly says that we’re not enough.

In my view, the idea of becoming the "best version of oneself" is a process of transformation aimed at reaching a fixed, idealized notion of perfection. In seeking to reach that ideal, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant self-judgment, where we question our choices and actions, never feeling fully satisfied.

The obsession with this quest for the "best version of us" is exhausting, especially with the ever-changing standards we must conform to. Between trying to be more productive, more zen, more ambitious, having a better physique, and the images on social media that impose standards of beauty, success, and happiness, we can quickly find ourselves burdened with an enormous weight.

Could aiming for personal evolution, while staying true to ourselves, offer a healthier, more enriching, and balanced approach? This approach, more natural and fluid, is a continuous process. It’s an invitation to grow, learn from our mistakes, adjust, and accept ourselves as we are, with our strengths, weaknesses, and resources. It’s about taking our current reality into account and, above all, respecting ourselves.

In my opinion, the key is finding balance between self-acceptance and the desire to evolve. Accepting who we are today doesn’t mean stopping there. On the contrary, from this acceptance comes the power to evolve while staying true to ourselves. It’s a process that requires patience, kindness, and a lot of letting go.

The goal isn’t to strive for an ideal, but to give ourselves permission to grow at our own pace. It’s about building solid foundations and accepting that, sometimes, less is more. It’s about celebrating each small victory, adjusting without guilt, and walking the path of constant learning, all while celebrating the freedom to simply be ourselves.