
Fixable
How to fight perfectionism (from The Happiness Lab)
Aug 12, 2024
Thomas Curran, a researcher on the rise of perfectionism, teams up with Jordana Confino, a recovering perfectionist, to explore the challenges posed by high standards. They discuss the detrimental effects of perfectionism on mental health, especially in today’s social media-driven world. Jordana shares insights on quieting the inner critic and embracing self-compassion, while Thomas highlights the alarming trends in perfectionism among youth. Their dialogue encourages listeners to confront unrealistic expectations and cultivate a healthier relationship with success.
30:08
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Quick takeaways
- Perfectionism often causes significant distress as individuals impose unrealistic standards on themselves, fueling self-criticism and anxiety.
- Social media amplifies feelings of inadequacy and heightens pressures of socially prescribed perfectionism, impacting mental health among young people.
Deep dives
The Perils of Perfectionism
Perfectionism often leads individuals to impose unrealistically high standards on themselves, causing significant distress and anxiety. It manifests in different forms, including self-oriented perfectionism, where one sets demanding goals for oneself, and socially prescribed perfectionism, where individuals feel pressured by others' expectations. This pressure can stem from a fear of being judged or not being seen as 'good enough', fueling a cycle of harsh self-criticism and emotional turmoil. Understanding these dimensions of perfectionism is crucial because it sheds light on why many suffer silently under self-imposed pressures and may not even recognize their perfectionism as the root cause of their struggles.
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