Feeling like You’ll Never Be “Good Enough”? The Perfectionism Struggle is Real
Hey there, if terms like "procrastination," "burnout," and "imposter syndrome" resonate a little too deeply, perfectionism might be the culprit. As a therapist, I see it all the time: smart, capable people held back by the crushing need to be flawless in every aspect of their lives.
Does This Sound Familiar?
You rewrite emails so many times they could get their own national insurance number.
That creative side-project you're excited about has been "almost ready" for months.
You avoid trying new things because what if you fail (and everyone witnesses your utter humiliation)?
Scrolling through Instagram leaves you feeling like a total loser compared to everyone's seemingly perfect lives.
The Not-So-Perfect Truth About Perfectionism
We're told that striving for excellence is a good thing, but perfectionism is different. It's driven by a deep-down fear of not being good enough, of having your flaws and mistakes exposed. The problem? Perfectionism is self-sabotage in disguise. It leads to missed opportunities, stifles creativity, and honestly, makes you less likely to succeed because you're so terrified of a single stumble.
Why We Do This to Ourselves
We're our own worst critics: Past experiences or pressure to achieve can leave us with a relentless inner critic whispering that nothing we do is ever enough.
The Insta-lie: Social media feeds us a steady diet of everyone's highlight reel,making it seem like everyone else has it together...they don't.
Change is scary: Adulthood is full of transitions and uncertainty. Perfectionism offers a false sense of control when other things feel out of our hands.
The Imperfect Path Forward
Spot Your Inner Perfectionist: Give that voice in your head a hilariously judgey name ("Meet Priscilla the Pain"). Recognising it is the first step to challenging it.
Progress, Not Perfection: Celebrate small wins and forward movement instead of getting hung up on an unattainable ideal. Did you hit the gym even when you felt like crap? Boom, that's a victory.
Screw the Comparison Game: Other people's curated highlight reels are NOT your reality. Focus on your own journey and your own values.
Be Kind to Yourself: Imagine a friend struggling with what you are. Would you tell them they're worthless? Of course not! Extend that same compassion to yourself.
This is Your Time!
Life has a way of throwing curveballs, regardless of age. Don't let perfectionism rob you of the experiences that shape who you become.
What's one way you're challenging your inner perfectionist today? Share in the comments!
