Audio Version (09:25)
“If I don’t get this right, they’ll realise I’m not good enough.” Does that sound familiar? That’s where perfectionism becomes exhausting: a mistake stops being something you’ve done and starts feeling like proof of who you are.
Someone once told me, “I can’t follow you because you make spelling mistakes.” It’s an interesting expectation, isn’t it? Of course, accuracy matters, and we should take responsibility for errors. But expecting someone to never make a mistake means expecting them to stop being human.
It also raises a question: if we find other people’s imperfections that difficult to tolerate, how do we treat ourselves when we get something wrong?
Perfectionism can look like high standards, ambition or attention to detail. Underneath, however, there may be a fear of criticism, rejection or shame.
In today’s article, we’re exploring the needs perfectionism is trying to meet, why mistakes can feel so threatening, and what chasing perfect could be costing your physical and mental health.
In the extended YouTube version, I also discuss how to loosen the grip of perfectionism. You can watch it here.
