PRECISION? IS IT POSSIBLE?

 Imperfection Is Nothing To Be Upset Over

The Downside Of Being A Perfectionist!

Being a perfectionist when it comes to cookie decorating is something I am actively trying to overcome. Do I think that wanting to do my best work is a bad thing? or Do I believe that paying attention to detail on an order is terrible? Definitely not! That being said, there is a great danger of being a perfectionist to the point where you are continually stretching yourself to an unsustainable degree and begin to view your worth in regard to the product you are producing. "If the cookies aren't perfect, I must not be an adequate baker" or "My piping isn't identical on every single cookie, so my client is going to regret trusting me with their request". Let me just say that this type of mindset and line of thinking is incredibly unhealthy. I can say this because I've been there and am often STILL there. 

Move Past This Thinking!

One thing I have learned throughout my cookie career is that it is nearly impossible to produce a textbook version of perfection. If you strive for it, I guarantee you will almost always be disappointed or frustrated beyond belief. I've been the one uncontrollably crying, piping bag in hand, telling myself that the art I created was the absolute worst. (Mental breakdowns stemming from cookies happen more frequently than I would like to admit) But then, my dad almost always comes over and provides me with a big reality check. He always says, "Are you going to let cookies dictate your emotions every time something doesn't go according to plan? Have faith that the Lord is with you every step of the way and will provide you with the strength you will need. Pick yourself up and try again."

I have definitely heard a variation of those words more than once. He is so right though! If we mentally and emotionally break down every time something doesn't go our way, we will live in a world overflowing with disappointment and utter sadness. Place trust in God's plans, not your own.

How Does This Relate To Baking?

A lot of cookie decorating has to do with precision! Making sure every cookie of the same kind looks identical. There are some handy ways to improve precision like by utilizing a projector or stencils. I love using the projector for lettering or for detailing faces! I have a love-hate relationship with stencils and airbrushing. When it works, it is fabulous! When it doesn't, it's a real bummer! 

The more cookies I have made, the more I've become better about realizing that every single one is bound to be unique in their own way. There is a certain level of precision or perfection that I can achieve, but beyond that, I have to be okay with slight variations. Let me just say, half of the mistakes I zero in on in a photo, many individuals never even recognize! I am most often my own worst critic, but I am starting to become more proud of the cookies I push out. Embrace the slight mess-ups! They add an extra element of character.

Picture Proof!

Let's look at some past cookie projects where precision was a must. As you will probably see, not every cookie is an exact carbon copy of the next, but they are about as close as I could possibly get. Delight in the small differences and you will begin to look at your cookie creations in a more positive light!

*As always, click on the images to make them more clear!

• These black and white wedding cookies pushed my hands to their limit! I had to receive some PT after this project. 250 cookies with a total of 8,250 individually piped lines! No projector was needed here, the pattern is pretty ingrained in your mind after this many cookies!

• Aortic Anuersyms! I made four dozen of these creative cookies and precision was constantly appearing in my mind as I was making them for a staff of doctors! In orders like this, it can be greatly obvious if the design is distorted in any way.

• These next cookies were also for a wedding! This particular design was almost inevitable to change from cookie to cookie! A pattern so detailed and varied is hard to duplicate perfectly with piping on 100+ canvases. I sure gave it my best shot though!

• Not going to lie, I always cringe when someone orders volleyball cookies. If the sections are off by just a little bit, the design can look like a hot mess. I sometimes draw on the bare sugar cookies with an edible marker before I flood to give me some kind of guideline. 

• "Pet re-creation" cookies also involve a lot of precision when it comes to perfecting their faces! If one eye is bigger than the other then the cookies instantly go from cute to horrifying in a matter of seconds. I usually pull out the projector for at least eye placement on orders like these. Trust me, it is worth the extra effort.

Now What?

The road to overcoming self-criticism and extreme perfectionism is a long one for sure. Although, it is an everyday battle that I desire to overcome. I totally understand the struggle of wanting to achieve absolute perfection, but it is just not always realistic. Don't view imperfection as a failure. View it as its own kind of beauty! For those of you that relate to this in any way, shape, or form, let's venture out on this journey of self-improvement together!