As my book release date approaches, reviews and magazine articles are trickling in, and my self-flogging skills are at their finest. It’s totally terrifying to put yourself out there, whether you’ve written a book, recorded an album, or pitched a new marketing plan at work. You take the plunge, and then, if you’re anything like me, you sit and tap your fingers on the table with a stunned expression on your face, akin to the one I have when I watch a trapeze artist – I’m enthralled, but my teeth are clenched, hoping they don’t fall on their face.

Today I did something awesome. I submitted a story to a project with the word, “Judgment” in the title. And I spelled “Judgment” wrong. Hi. By the time I realized this, it was too late. I’d already hit “Send,” and my Gmail “Undo” window was long closed. Mind you, I might have written a funny follow-up correcting my mistake, pleading, “Please don’t judge me.” But I had already followed up the original email with the attachment I thought I had included the first time around. So yeah.

Now I’m eating a slice of pumpkin cheesecake and doing my best to let it go. I normally jump on any opportunity to call myself names, but I’m trying a different route these days, seeing as this is only the beginning of what is already proving to be a great experiment in self-forgiveness. (Also, it’s harder to call myself names with a mouthful of cake.) Already I am reading things about myself and my book: new reviews, interview quotes taken out of context, etc. I can make myself crazy with all of this, or I can stop, take a breath, and have a laugh. I’m learning. Aren’t we all?

To celebrate our imperfections today, let’s all have a piece of cake, whatever your favorite: chocolate, carrot, lemon, vanilla (ew). No judgment.