The Hard-Hitting Mental Health Effects of Perfectionism
In theory, we've all wanted to be perfect at some point. In actuality, being perfect is an unattainable goal, a milestone that will always just seem to slip out of your fingers. Perfection can never truly be reached.
However, this knowledge does not stop many people from striving for perfection. While there is nothing inherently wrong in wanting to be a better version of yourself and to be constantly evolving, it can be harmful to be a perfectionist.
If you classify yourself as a perfectionist or worry you may be heading down that path, you are not alone! Keep reading to learn some helpful tips to help you stay on top of these tendencies.
What is perfectionism?
To put it plainly, perfectionism is the trait that drives you to strive for perfection. This is not simply wanting to be the best version of yourself. Perfectionism wants you to control every aspect of your life so that it is the perfect version. Flawlessness is the ultimate goal.
Of course, this is not a realistic goal to set for yourself. Even if you are a version of yourself that you are completely satisfied with, an imperfect situation that you cannot control can cause you to derail and spiral. The best way to avoid these spirals is to nip these perfectionist tendencies in the bud.
Recognize the signs
Like any condition, perfectionism can appear differently in every individual’s case. With this in mind, there are plenty of traits that are fairly easy to spot when it comes to recognizing perfectionism. These characteristics include:
All-or-nothing thinking: As you have probably heard before, life is not black or white. Perfectionism, however, makes you believe that it is. You likely view a task as being perfectly executed or a complete failure. There are degrees to life! Lean into it.
Unattainable standards for yourself and others: Of course, the trademark characteristic of perfectionism is striving for the unattainable. Consistently imposing impossible standards on you or others in your life is a very strong indication of perfectionism.
Tendency to focus on the end goal: Sometimes, it is not only about achieving the end goal. The journey matters as well! While trying to reach a goal, like finishing a project, you cannot exclusively worry about finishing. You must consider how you treat people along the way, the route you are taking to finishing, and other details. The journey is just as important.
How does it impact your mental health?
Being a perfectionist means that you are constantly putting unnecessary and unfair pressure on yourself. Coming from anyone, this pressure would be almost too much to handle. The fact that it is coming from within makes it that much more difficult to deal with.
Perfectionism can cause your anxiety and depression levels to skyrocket. Setting impossible goals for yourself is not giving you the proper opportunity to succeed. It will only cause disappointment.
Overcoming perfectionist habits
Moving past perfectionism does not come easily. It will take hard work to rewire your way of thinking, but it certainly can be done. The first lesson is to celebrate any and every milestone you reach. Once you can start recognizing the progress you make in small victories, you will begin to realize how much you truly can achieve.
The bottom line is that putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect–however you may define that word–will have adverse effects on your health. This is not a journey you have to take alone. Learning how to properly regulate your motivation levels is tricky to learn.
If you have begun to notice differences in your mental health due to your perfectionist tendencies, I strongly encourage you to reach out to a trained professional. To get in touch, reach out to me today and schedule an appointment for anxiety treatment or for work stress therapy.
