In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of perfectionism, exploring its impact on mental health, stress levels, and self-worth.
Key Quotes:
- “Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame." – Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
- "Perfectionists feel every bump in the road. They’re quite stress-sensitive.” – Andrew Hill
- “Perfectionists are pretty much awash with stress. Even when it’s not stressful, they’ll typically find a way to make it stressful.” – Gordon Flett
- “Socially prescribed perfectionism, characterized by the feeling that others have high demands, is the most strongly correlated with serious mental illness.” – Thomas Curran
We'll cover:
- Common traits and challenges faced by perfectionists, including the constant need to meet high expectations—both self-imposed and socially prescribed.
- My own journey as an only child and high academic achiever, grappling with the intense family pressure of being the "perfect" daughter.
- How I recently navigated my deepest inner critic after making a mistake.
- Some of my favorite tools for taming critical self-talk and fostering self-compassion.
- The five-step self-restitution process I've been using for 15 years as a self-forgiveness practice.
- What to do with the anger you feel toward yourself after making a mistake (and what not to do.)
Remember, it’s okay to be imperfect—and more importantly, it’s human. Take small steps toward self-compassion and give yourself the grace to make mistakes along the way.
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