The silent strain of being perfect

Imagine the night before one of the biggest competitions. You have been constantly preparing, practicing a hundred times, and revising to eliminate errors. Suddenly, the overwhelming tension becomes suffocating. Lying in bed, your heart races and your mind spirals through the worst scenarios. Most of my peers are excelling—what if I fall behind? If I mess up a little, what would that say about me? You ultimately become terrified of making mistakes.

This encapsulates the inner turmoil of perfectionism. Over the years, the pressure to achieve perfection has increased among university students. Experts have classified two key dimensions of perfectionism. The first kind, ‘perfectionistic strivings’ is often considered adaptive and beneficial. However, the second kind, ‘perfectionistic concerns’ is marked as maladaptive. It is like a cruel trap where one has an overwhelming worry of making errors, getting judged, and carrying severe doubts about their abilities/actions. These unhealthy aspects are linked to depression, anxiety, and elevated stress. Besides, it leads to sleep disorder, burnout, and other overlooked physical struggles.

The endless cycle of comparing and becoming flawless generates dissatisfaction, making it challenging to stay content. This constant worry hampers creativity. Instead of experiencing failures, they miss opportunities, procrastinate, and have self-doubts. Academic expectations, social media platforms, and unhealthy competition fuel the pressure. It burdens the perfectionist to prove their worth constantly.

The weight of perfection can be crippling. What if failure was not the enemy but a step forward? It is crucial to embrace the mistakes. Rather than focusing on perfection, one can shift the perception to keep track of progress. Taking imperfect action is challenging but creates the opportunity to learn and adapt. So treat them like your stepping stones. Besides, practicing self-compassion and setting boundaries from unrealistic demands helps personal growth. It encourages setting realistic goals. 

The voice of perfectionism inside our heads can be pretty harsh. Chasing it will only result in exhaustion. When we accept our flaws, we make space for resilience and open the door to confidence. Enlightening our mindset is necessary. Everybody is unique and creative, and that is where the beauty lies!