 "St. Paul Como Conservatory" by Christa Rittberg Perfectionism has been on the rise for years, especially with social media growth. We desire to be successful and liked in society, so we put pressure on ourselves to strive for perfection. We believe it can make relationships and experiences in life easier. The truth is: perfectionism might make external circumstances easier short-term, but it can make internal feelings more difficult long-term. According to Medical News Today, the pressure placed on oneself when having perfectionist qualities can lead to anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and suicidal ideation. On a physical level, perfectionism can cause high blood pressure. It can be easy to fall into perfectionist habits in our society, where we are often taught that the harder you work and more time you put in, the more you will be rewarded. However, this mindset can lead us only to striving for more and more, never feeling truly fulfilled or satisfied with ourselves. A strong sense of self-satisfaction can be achieved through inner accomplishments, such as prioritizing our self-care and mental health, setting boundaries, and honoring our inner peace. If you experience perfectionism, an important first step is opening up about it to someone you trust. If you feel it impacts your mental health, speaking with a trained mental health professional can strongly benefit the quality of your healing. Those who identify with perfectionism are less likely to receive mental health treatment due to the stigma, according to Personality and Individual Differences. However, suppressing the symptoms of perfectionism will only give it more power, and seeking help is always a strength, not a weakness. Some other tips for managing perfectionism include
|
