Airbrushing, retouching, lighting, makeup, filters—as we flip through the latest fashion magazines, we know we’re looking at a fantasy designed to make models look perfect on the outside.

But inside our own heads, the perfection fantasy can turn all too real. I should be working out more (clearly!), I should be networking more (obviously!), I should be making more time for my husband (yes!), and of course, I should be running the PTA at my kids’ school (right!).

Here’s my reality: I am making it to the gym, I am meeting new people every day, I volunteer at school when I can, and the husband and I make time every night to share the ups and downs of our day.

is it perfect? No. But it almost is—and I’m striving to make that fine by me. In our feature “The Almost Perfect Mom,” we run down the top 10 topics we tend to beat ourselves up over: Housekeeping! Romance! Networking! Our point is to remind all of us of how great we already are. And if you’re looking for an easy way to up your game in one area—for me, it’s always about personal health—well, then we’ve got some make-it-easy tips for you, too.

And here’s one more tip from me for the busy holiday season: Remember to be kind to yourself most of all!