Many of us believe that perfectionism is a positive trait. I totally get it - validation and recognition from others when we perform well feels great, and it's easy to begin to believe that nothing less than perfection is acceptable. But the truth is, this mentality can be more harmful than helpful in the long run.
Feeling like nothing is ever good enough can lead to constant anxiety and fear of failure or disappointing others, which only intensifies as we strive for perfection. And when we're high-performing for so long, it's tough to let others know that we're struggling. So we overcommit, hoping to outwork or outperform our problems, until we hit a breaking point.
perfectionism & Anxiety
If any of this sounds familiar - overthinking, indecisiveness, criticism, people-pleasing, having unrealistic standards for yourself and others - you might be dealing with perfectionism.
The real danger is when we start tying our self-worth to our achievements, leading to burnout and disappointment. When we do this, we become more focused on external validation and recognition, rather than internal satisfaction and fulfillment. We may find ourselves prioritizing pleasing others or meeting external expectations rather than considering our own needs and desires. As a result, we may experience a loss of motivation, a lack of enjoyment in our work or activities, and a sense of emptiness or meaninglessness in our lives.
authenticity over achievement
it's time for
By doing so, you can break free from the cycle of perfectionism and live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Our worth as individuals is not determined by our achievements. When we focus solely on external validation and recognition, we miss out on internal satisfaction and fulfillment. Incorporating techniques from CBT, ACT, and DBT, we’ll work together to explore the underlying beliefs you hold about yourself, create more realistic expectations of yourself and others, practice self-compassion, and prioritize your internal values and fulfillment.
Here's the thing...
