Overcoming perfectionism is a great way to conquer stress while embracing personal growth. Expecting things to always be perfect can cause dissatisfaction and eventually lead to an unfulfilled life.
Perfection has controlled every facet of life from the interactions with friends and family, physical appearance, as well as the work environment and output. As a result, flaws are viewed as weaknesses.
When perfection is the main object in everything done, then a dark cloud appears in the form of anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction.
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is a word born from the relentless desire to always achieve high standards, and failure never being an option. It can be seen in the setting of unrealistic goals and the outlandish reaction to failure.
Perfectionism is birthed not only from pressures in society but also from one’s unrealistic expectations. For example, social media has given the notion that only flawlessness in appearances is acceptable in life. This is an unrealistic expectation that only brews self-loathing and inadequacy.
The Consequences of Perfectionism
The continued pursuit of perfection can harm one’s mental health. Studies show that there is a relationship between perfection and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout.
The undying fear of both failure and judgment can directly result in seclusion and exhaustion. It is common for people living in a constant state of perfectionism to never feel good enough no matter the feats of achievement.
That said, here are some consequences that are tied to perfectionism;
Increased Stress and Anxiety
With perfectionism, the idea of failing brews anxiety. And anxiety translates to stress. This is the result of the constant worry of not attaining the unrealistic targets, goals, and standards set. Chronic stress can arise from making mistakes or falling short of goal attainment.
Depression
Perfectionism can kill the joy and happiness in the accomplishment of a task. The relentless pursuit can result in hopelessness and sadness when there is a constant feeling of not measuring up.
Burnout
Perfectionists tend to show signs of burnout once they push themselves beyond the limit. They might fail to take good care of both their physical and mental well-being due to their unwavering dedication to greatness. Lethargy, emotional exhaustion, and unproductivity are among some of the symptoms of burnout.
Procrastination
For a perfectionist to opt for procrastination sounds a little paradoxical. Procrastination is often opted for by some because they believe they need more time to ensure everything is perfect. This sometimes ends up creating delays in activities that need prompt reaction and missing opportunities. It eventually snowballs into increased stress and mental pressure.
Low Self-Esteem
A lack of self-worth might arise if there is a constant comparison to others’ successes. By tying self-worth to achievements, a feeling of inadequacy can arise from any shortcoming experienced.
Relationship Strain
It can be hard for perfectionists to sustain healthy relationships with others. This can be manifested in two ways. Either by directing the same unrealistic standards on them or failing to juggle between achieving their goals and the relationship. In the case of imposing unrealistic expectations, conflicts and dissatisfaction might arise within the relationships.
Impaired Creativity
Perfectionism tends to stifle creativity. Creativity requires the spirit of innovativeness and a readiness for trial and error. For a perfectionist, creativity might become impaired as a result of fear of making mistakes or taking risks that might potentially fail.
Physical Health Issues and reduced productivity
The body can take a certain level of stress before it starts falling apart. For perfectionists, chronic stress and anxiety can not only affect the quality of work produced but also affect physical health leading to problems like headaches and insomnia.
Embracing Imperfection
Not all perfectionists encounter these outcomes, and the seriousness can vary from one individual to another. Perceiving these potential results is important in helping move toward addressing any issues that relate to perfectionism and its side effects while embracing self-love.
Embracing defects is an outlook shift that can free you from the stifling hold of perfectionism. It includes recognizing that it’s alright to commit errors and that defects are important for our human experience.
By rehearsing self-empathy and relinquishing the requirement for consistent endorsement, we can lessen pressure and track down more noteworthy satisfaction in our lives.
What to Consider for Defeating Perfectionism
It starts with going easy on yourself and ending the negative self-talk that goes with shortcomings. Further, the following would help;
- Have practical objectives: Start with ensuring that the objectives set are attainable and the standards are realistic. This will ease the pressure that comes with achieving them.
- Accepting failure and the possibility of disappointment is a stepping stone to development. Failure not only creates learning opportunities but also toughens an individual.
- Look for help from companions, family, or a specialist who can give direction and consolation. A confidant that understands the situation and provides affirmations when and where needed.
- Understanding that achievements are attained gradually with a potential of failing. Viewing the uncertainties in the progress makes it worthwhile. flawlessness, ought to be your objective.
- Use others’ journeys to success as inspiration and not a template for success. Everyone has a unique story of how they conquered failures to attain success. The stories can help guide and positively motivate.
- Shift focus away from the unrealistic portrayal of day-to-day existence. Social media being an avenue for portraying doctored lifestyles, it should be avoided or taken as a platform that does not directly relate to reality.
Conclusion
In a world that frequently requests faultlessness, it’s fundamental to perceive that perfectionism can be a trap. Embracing flaws is the way to a more joyful, seriously satisfying life. By figuring out the roots and results of perfectionism and utilizing viable techniques, you can break liberated from its hold.
Genuine real-life examples of overcoming adversity show that it’s feasible to flourish by tolerating imperfections and praising uniqueness.
As the truism goes, “Flawlessness is the adversary of progress.” Thus, let go of perfectionism and embrace the lovely chaos of life. It’s in the defects and failures that individuals get to find themselves.
