---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try to give myself permission to be a…"
description: "\"I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's more manageable and takes some of the pressu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png"
---

#  I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress…

![“I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's more manageable and takes some of the pressure off of feeling like I have to have everything right all the time.” quote by Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png)

> “I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's more manageable and takes some of the pressure off of feeling like I have to have everything right all the time.”

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Granting yourself permission to be a work‑in‑progress reduces pressure and makes growth manageable.

**In simple terms:** Allow yourself to be unfinished.

Key Takeaway

Accept imperfection.

Themes

self‑growth self‑acceptance mindfulness

Mood

hopeful calm

Type

motivational self‑help

When to use this quote

- career changes
- learning new skills
- creative projects

Key Concepts

psychology personal development

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you celebrate incremental progress?
- What habits support ongoing growth?

A Different Perspective

Perfectionism can still creep in.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Work in progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-in-progress/)

## Related quotes

> [I am comfortable with who I am as a person. I've never felt that pressure of feeling like I need to fit into something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-hasselhoff/i-am-comfortable-with-who-i-am-as-a-person-i-ve-never-felt-that/)

[Hayley Hasselhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-hasselhoff/)

> [A diamond is a piece of coal under pressure. If you are feeling pressure today, you are about to shine. PATIENCE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anas/a-diamond-is-a-piece-of-coal-under-pressure-if-you-are-feeling/)

[Anas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anas/)

> [A Pisces hates being under pressure,and feeling worthless to those they care about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-pisces-hates-being-under-pressure-and-feeling-worthless-to-those/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“It worries me that I can be so explosive one day -- volatile enough to commit a murder-suicide -- and then the next day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/it-worries-me-that-i-can-be-so-explosive-one-day-volatile-enough-to/)

[Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/)

> [It's very exciting to have a hit anything and it's also horrifying and a really high-pressure feeling sometimes. I feel like there's no end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-kilgariff/it-s-very-exciting-to-have-a-hit-anything-and-it-s-also-horrifying/)

[Karen Kilgariff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-kilgariff/)

> [The pressure I put on myself is the only pressure I'm feeling once I get into the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/the-pressure-i-put-on-myself-is-the-only-pressure-i-m-feeling-once-i/)

[Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/)

> [I realized that so much of the pressure I was feeling was from outside sources, and I knew I wasn't ready to take that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-cattrall/i-realized-that-so-much-of-the-pressure-i-was-feeling-was-from/)

[Kim Cattrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-cattrall/)

> [Concede a penalty and it disrupts the way people play, all of a sudden the pressure is on and they're feeling down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-james/concede-a-penalty-and-it-disrupts-the-way-people-play-all-of-a-sudden/)

[David James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-james/)

> [I'm very ordered and efficient, with my life chopped up and diarised into manageable chunks, including time for relaxing. I couldn't do my job,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-newman/i-m-very-ordered-and-efficient-with-my-life-chopped-up-and-diarised/)

[Cathy Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-newman/)

> [Your clothing is the most important survival tool you have. Dress properly and any emergency you may have to endure becomes more manageable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mors-kochanski/your-clothing-is-the-most-important-survival-tool-you-have-dress/)

[Mors Kochanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mors-kochanski/)

> [These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/these-fiery-trials-are-designed-to-make-you-stronger-but-they-have/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [When you keep things responsible and manageable, you can make some interesting movies that you maybe couldn't make otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-ball/when-you-keep-things-responsible-and-manageable-you-can-make-some/)

[Wes Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-ball/)

> [There has been a tendency through the years for reason and moderation to prevail as long as things are going tolerably well or as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/there-has-been-a-tendency-through-the-years-for-reason-and-moderation/)

[J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/)

> [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/)

[Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/)

> [“If it is not measurable it is not manageable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-clark/if-it-is-not-measurable-it-is-not-manageable/)

[Clay Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-clark/)

## More by Jewel

> [I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-want-my-whole-life-to-be-a-great-work-of-art-not-just-my-art-and/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/forgiveness-is-the-needle-that-knows-how-to-mend/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [We must never lose sight of the fact that we must take part in the development, not only of ourselves but of all humanity...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/we-must-never-lose-sight-of-the-fact-that-we-must-take-part-in-the/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [There is always one true thing to believe in…God,Science,Karma or fate...one of this always judge u.So.. try to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/there-is-always-one-true-thing-to-believe-in-god-science-karma-or/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Being part of the natural world reminds me that innocence isn't ever lost completely; we just need to maintain our goodness to regain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/being-part-of-the-natural-world-reminds-me-that-innocence-isn-t-ever/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Show me one man who knows his own heart, to him I shall belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/show-me-one-man-who-knows-his-own-heart-to-him-i-shall-belong/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [“Spend time in silence. Take time to get to know yourself and your genius in stillness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/spend-time-in-silence-take-time-to-get-to-know-yourself-and-your/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [You always feel better when you sing. Music touches people's hearts. You know, it doesn't go through your mental capacity, it just moves you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/you-always-feel-better-when-you-sing-music-touches-people-s-hearts/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [I'm a happy mum. I didn't think it was in the cards for me, so I feel very blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-a-happy-mum-i-didn-t-think-it-was-in-the-cards-for-me-so-i-feel/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous, there's really nothing to lose. There's no wrong you can't make right again, so be kinder to yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [I'm trying to be in the moment and really enjoy my pregnancy. I feel really lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-trying-to-be-in-the-moment-and-really-enjoy-my-pregnancy-i-feel/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Lots of people have gone from public housing to do great things in the world and have a tremendous sense of duty to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/lots-of-people-have-gone-from-public-housing-to-do-great-things-in/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous; there's really nothing to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to-lose/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [On my own I generally have very messy hair, wear jeans and sneakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/on-my-own-i-generally-have-very-messy-hair-wear-jeans-and-sneakers/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Who will save your soul, if you won’t save your own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/who-will-save-your-soul-if-you-won-t-save-your-own/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

[Explore all 204 Jewel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

## More Feelings quotes

> [I have a strong feeling about this quick movement and changing of society and populations growing - something scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroshi-sugimoto/i-have-a-strong-feeling-about-this-quick-movement-and-changing-of/)

[Hiroshi Sugimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroshi-sugimoto/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [We never realize the importance of any our action until we be the hunt of same situation in reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fadi/we-never-realize-the-importance-of-any-our-action-until-we-be-the/)

[Fadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fadi/)

> [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/)

[Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/)

> [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/)

[Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/)

> [My feeling has always been that 'Good Eats' would have never happened had it been left to a committee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alton-brown/my-feeling-has-always-been-that-good-eats-would-have-never-happened/)

[Alton Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alton-brown/)

> [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [If someone really loves you, no matter how many other people they meet, their feelings for you wouldn't change. A real lover cant be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-someone-really-loves-you-no-matter-how-many-other-people-they-meet/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/)

[J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/)

> [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/)

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

> [Good girls don't hurt other people's feelings. Good girls are not overly aggressive, competitive, or boastful. Good girls please others. But what good girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jane-gilman/good-girls-don-t-hurt-other-people-s-feelings-good-girls-are-not/)

[Susan Jane Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jane-gilman/)

> [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/)

[Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/)

[Browse all 21,172 Feelings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's more manageable and takes some of the pressure off of feeling like I have to have everything right all the time.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jewel"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a-work-in-progress-and-not-have/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Feelings"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a-work-in-progress-and-not-have/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/jewel-1833_feelings_i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a_2947407.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's…” — Jewel",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jewel",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I try to give myself permission...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a-work-in-progress-and-not-have/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-try-to-give-myself-permission-to-be-a-work-in-progress-and-not-have/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
