A Manifesto for Letting Go of Perfection and Welcoming Possibilities

A reflection on Creating with Love and Courage

For all the things I still don’t know and everything I’m remembering not to forget, I can no longer deny the clear intentions behind my work, so beautifully reflected in the Permission to Celebrate Exhibition.

I’ll never forget the first time I wrote a manifesto in design school—putting words to who I am as a designer and how I want my work to impact the world. There was a duality between certainty and uncertainty, boldly declaring my values and vision without having the full picture, yet feeling the pressure to have all the answers. I realize now that what was missing then was the acceptance of uncertainty, the courage to create even without having all the answers. Trusting and surrendering into this space has taken years to develop, not just by seeing its value, but by deeply feeling its importance.

And so, for all the things I still don’t know and everything I’m remembering not to forget, I feel compelled to share this manifesto with you—one that is still built upon uncertainty, but now with the confidence to embrace it, and created from a place of love, not fear.

This manifesto extends beyond me, into the infinite possibilities I hope we can continue to cultivate in the unknown—between the things we don’t yet know and those we’re remembering not to forget.

The Possibilities Universe Manifesto

Welcome to Possibilities Universe—a space where self-permission is sacred, imperfection is celebrated, and the unknown is an open invitation. Here, we disrupt perfectionism not by fixing ourselves or seeking external answers, but by remembering we were never broken and embracing the magic within us.

This is an invitation. A declaration. A remembering.

We Break Free from Perfectionism Perfection is a myth. Our imperfections make us unique, human, and beautifully authentic. We release the pressure to be anything other than authentically ourselves. Here, we are encouraged to feel deeply, express boldly, and dream fearlessly.

We Trust in What We Know & Embrace the Mystery of What We Don’t We trust the wisdom we carry within and find excitement in the unknown. We don’t need to have all the answers to create from a place of abundance. By embracing the mystery, we open ourselves to new possibilities.

We Welcome the Magic of the Unknown We do not fear uncertainty, for it holds the greatest potential. We step into the unknown with trust and wonder, knowing that the adventure shapes us. We also trust in the things we cannot yet see, surrendering to the unknown to bring forth powerful possibilities.

We Celebrate Every Step Celebration is not just for milestones, but for every quiet victory. We honor the now, recognizing that every moment is an opportunity to celebrate who we are, as we are.

We See Self-Celebration as an Act of Disrupting Perfectionism Celebration is an antidote to perfection. It’s within self-honoring that we find the courage to try again, take up space, and move forward with confidence.

We Embrace Curiosity & Creativity We trust in the power of possibility. Our minds are full of ideas waiting to be explored. We don’t just think outside the box – we redefine what the box can be.

We Prioritize Experimentation There’s no one perfect way—only the way that feels true. Failure is not a flaw but a portal. Curiosity is our compass. We give ourselves permission to try things even if we aren’t guaranteed a desired outcome.

We Embrace The Courage to Do It Anyways

We choose to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear. We don’t wait for certainty to take action, because we trust that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to take that next step anyway.

We Dance with the Fear of Failure Failure is a construct we no longer fear. Instead, we use the discomfort as an invitation to nurture our nervous system, dance off the fear, and unlock our deepest creativity.

We Empower Boldness in Self-Expression We are unapologetically ourselves. We stand firm in our truth, express authentically, and make space for others to do the same.

We Honor Intuition as Our Guide We choose intuition over external approval. We trust our inner wisdom to guide us, knowing it will lead us to what we’re meant to create and experience.

We Create with Love & Purpose We infuse everything we do with love and intention, approaching our lives and work mindfully, aware of the energy we bring into the world and the space we create for others.

We Cultivate Connection, Not Competition We lift each other up, celebrate wins, and share resources. We are generous with our time, creativity, and belief in others. There’s room for everyone here—your dreams, your magic, your messy, magnificent self.

We Write Our Own Permission Slips We are not waiting for permission. We write our own permission slips—to play, rest, try again, walk away, be seen, take our time, change our minds, and dream bigger.

We Choose to See the Possibilities in Everything Challenges are invitations to grow. We see opportunities for transformation in every situation.

We Welcome A Ripple Effect of Collective Evolution As we transform individually, we contribute to the collective evolution of humanity. Together, we create a ripple of positive change that reaches beyond ourselves and transforms the world.

We Expand Into Our Fullness We refuse to shrink. Our uniqueness is not a problem to solve—it’s a gift to expand. In this universe, we take up space. We show up, unapologetic and whole.

We Honor the Beauty of Being Human Transformation begins when we allow ourselves to be messy, imperfect, and beautifully human. Every small victory, every lesson learned, is a reason to pause and celebrate.

We Embrace Neutrality and Honor All Our Emotions We create space for all emotions to exist without judgment. Whether joy, sadness, or fear, we honor each feeling as part of our human experience. By embracing neutrality, we allow ourselves to feel deeply and move through our emotions with grace.

We Expect the Unexpected We trust that life will surprise us, and we welcome the unexpected with open arms. We know that everything unfolds in its perfect timing, even when it doesn’t look the way we imagined.

This is the Possibilities Universe—a place of limitless potential, where we honor who we are, celebrate what we create, and move forward with courage, curiosity, and love.

Welcome home.

P.S. Here is the Manifesto I wrote back in 2016 in Design School. It’s beautiful I recognize how much I am embodying many parts of these declarations in my work today, and have evolved my focus in other ways!