Jennifer Nettles is beautiful, talented and is starting off a solo career with a chart-topping album. Despite her obvious strengths, the 'Me Without You' singer admits she struggles with perfectionism, spilling the details in her Redbook cover issue.

Nettles, a new mom, is ultra springy on the March cover, sporting a pink and white tulip skirt and a wine-colored tank top. Although the singer may look perfect on the cover of the magazine (on newsstands Feb. 11), she doesn't always feel that way.

"Perfectionism is really a challenge for me," Nettles divulges, "and it causes me to be super critical of myself in so many ways: about body image constantly; about parenting; about being a mother."

She continues, "For me, that's still my most important job, ever, and I don't want to mess it up. And yet, there's no perfect way to do it! You know?"

Every mom can probably relate to Nettles' struggle. And just about every woman will understand her body image frustrations. Still, the star doesn't let herself wallow in distress -- instead, she's trying to find a solution.

Says the singer, "... It's important to have an examined life -- but it's a fine line between having an examined life and being hypercritical of oneself. There has to be balance in there somewhere. I haven't found it yet. When I do, I'll let you know."

In addition to perfectionism, there's another struggle Nettles faces: being a woman. Much like the conversation about the tough reality for ladies in country music, the Sugarland singer broadens it, explaining that it's just hard for women in general.

“I think that we are so challenged as women to be everything, and do everything, and make it look easy," she explains. "Also to speak our minds, but not be bi---y. All these things are, quite frankly, impossible to achieve. So knowing what we want -- no, it doesn't make us a bi---. It makes us know what we want, plain and simple."

Despite these difficulties, Nettles has certainly made a name for herself, bravely branching off from the fan-favorite country duo and diving into the uncharted waters of a solo career. It can be scary, and she admits, "It makes me feel vulnerable to put myself out there is a new way. You hope your fans have evolved with you and that the music will gain new fans too! You do your best, but you never know."

Yet, a boon in this transition has been the ever-loving fans.

"The warm and positive response to this album has been simultaneously inspiring, motivating and a relief," Nettles assures. "Now I want to get out there and give the fans a beautiful and intimate performance of these songs live on tour."

Jennifer Nettles
Matt Jones for Redbook
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