How To Stop Being Such A Perfectionist
Perfectionism is a tendency or attitude that involves continually striving to meet the highest standards and expectations, accompanied by excessive concern about mistakes and a constant search for perfection in all areas of life. Perfectionism can become a problem when it begins to have a negative impact on a person’s mental, emotional and physical health, their relationships and overall quality of life.
Being a perfectionist can have some benefits such as being motivated to achieve personal or professional goals, but it begins to become a drawback when it affects a person’s mental, emotional and physical health and their life in general.
Signs That Perfectionism May Be Causing Problems
• Excessive anxiety: Perfectionists experience a high degree of anxiety due to the constant pressure they place on themselves to meet impossibly high standards.
• Low self-esteem: Perfectionists’ self-esteem depends heavily on their ability to meet their own very high expectations. When they do not meet these standards, they experience excessive feelings of failure and frustration, and their perceived self-esteem may decrease.
• Procrastination: Often, fear of failure or the belief that they will never be able to achieve perfection can lead to procrastination or avoiding tasks altogether.
• Mental rigidity: Perfectionists tend to be very inflexible about their standards or expectations, which can create a problem adapting to changing or unforeseen situations.
• Impact on relationships: Perfectionism can negatively affect interpersonal relationships, because perfectionists can be critical of themselves and others, making genuine connection and mutual acceptance difficult.
• Compromised physical health: Chronic stress associated with perfectionism has a negative impact on physical health, increasing the risk of problems such as stress disorders, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep problems.
What Is A Perfectionist Like?
A perfectionist tends to set excessively high standards for themselves and others in various areas of their life. They tend to be self-demanding people, seeking excellence in everything they do, showing excessive concern for errors and imperfections. They tend to be meticulous at work and tend to have a great attention to detail.
Treatment For Perfectionists
Transforming perfectionism into a healthier and more balanced attitude can take time and effort, but it is possible with different strategies. Here are some:
• Recognition and acceptance: Recognize that perfectionism can be an obstacle to your well-being and happiness. Accept that it is impossible to achieve perfection and that it is okay to make mistakes and be imperfect.
• Readjust standards: Evaluate your standards and expectations. Are they realistic and attainable? Adjust your standards to make them more realistic and flexible. Set goals that are challenging but attainable.
• Practice self-compassion: Cultivate self-compassion instead of self-criticism. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding when you make mistakes or face challenges. Embrace your imperfections and recognize your humanity.
• Focus on the process: Shift your focus from the end result to the process of learning and growing. Celebrate progress and efforts, even if you don’t reach your initial goals.
• Practice self-care: Prioritize self-care and well-being. Make time and activities that relax and recharge you, such as exercise, meditation, reading, or spending time with friends and family.
• Seek support: Seek support from friends and family or a therapist. Seek therapy to identify and change perfectionistic patterns. A therapist will help you challenge those perfectionistic beliefs and irrational thought patterns. (SG)