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In this episode of Becoming You, Visa talks about the dark side of perfectionism, sharing everything she’s learned about her perfectionist tendencies over the last few years. 

Oftentimes, we view being a perfectionist as a strength in life. Visa is here to shatter the belief that perfectionism serves you in your life and to explain why perfectionism hinders you from experiencing joy and happiness. 

Listen in as Visa declares 6 truths about perfectionism and explains why they may be causing harm to your health and wellbeing:

1. Perfection is an illusion – Our ideas of perfection comes from unrealistic standards, often portrayed by the media, which aren’t what we truly want.
2. Being a perfectionist stops you from accepting what is – It keeps you in a mindset of lack, keeping you from acknowledging your accomplishments.
3. Perfectionism is a symptom of deep feelings of unworthiness – In order to make up for not being enough, we use perfection as a suit of armor. Unworthiness often comes from childhood feelings of not meeting expectations.
4. Perfectionism leads to procrastination – The need to figure out every step of how to do something delays our initiation of tasks being worked on, for fear of not being able to do it right.
5. Perfectionism leads to self-sabotage – In the mind of perfectionists, there’s no room for mistakes or second chances, which leads to a harmful ‘all or nothing’ mentality. 
6. Perfectionism is poisonous to your wellbeing – Perfectionists believe the world won’t accept or support them unless they show up perfectly. They don’t feel safe if they show up imperfectly. The people around you are also affected by your perfectionism, causing tension in relationships and even your children picking up the same tendencies.

Perfectionism keeps us from embracing our true, authentic, imperfect selves. 

What is the antidote to this toxic perfectionism?

Become aware of the fact that you are a perfectionist, then ask yourself: In what areas of your life are you really striving for perfection? It just might be all areas of your life, but you have the power to break the pattern and reprogram your mind. 

“Awareness is always the first step to change.”

Explore why you may have become a perfectionist. Dive deep into your childhood to see where you may have ‘not been enough’ to someone.

Forgive yourself for being less than perfect. Start with small action steps to embrace your imperfections. It all starts from within. Incorporate affirmations in your life to validate your renewed authenticity.

Conclusion: Perfection is not attainable because it doesn’t exist. Although being a perfectionist is harmful to your health, there are many ways you can release the patterns of perfectionism and work towards accepting your true self. You have the power, it just takes one small step to create lasting change!

Keep tuning in to Becoming You to continue learning how to foster a strong, healthy relationship with yourself with actionable tips to implement in your own life so you can feel free and safe to be yourself. 

If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, screenshot this episode, share it on Instagram, and tag Visa – let’s start a conversation!

Learn more about Visa Shanmugam and her coaching services:

Visit her website: www.www.visalakshi.com 

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifecoachvisa 

Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VisaShanmugamCoaching 

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/VisaShan 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/visashanmugam 

Subscribe to her YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1bDJb2tawEJlLXwWoOceNQ