Psychology Has It Backwards cover image

Psychology Has It Backwards

Episode 173: Perfectionism

Aug 31, 2024
Chris shares his personal journey with habitual perfectionism, detailing its emotional weight and origins in childhood. Judy highlights the importance of embracing our imperfections and letting go of unrealistic standards. They discuss how accepting humanity and finding humor in mistakes can transform our view on self-criticism. By recognizing that perfectionism stems from insecurity, they advocate for a compassionate shift toward self-acceptance, emphasizing that everyone is doing their best in this imperfect journey.
29:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Perfectionism stems from a mistaken use of thought, leading to unnecessary stress through a misguided belief in the need for flawlessness.
  • Recognizing the origins of perfectionist tendencies can foster personal growth by shifting the focus from control to self-acceptance and learning.

Deep dives

Reframing Perfectionism

Perfectionism is often thought of as a character trait, but it stems from a mistaken use of thought. This habit manifests as the belief that one must do everything flawlessly, leading to unnecessary stress and self-judgment. Personal anecdotes reveal how this mindset can spiral into debilitating behavior, such as obsessively ensuring that one’s work or appearance meets excessive standards. Recognizing that perfectionism is more about fear and insecurity than it is about actual quality can be liberating for individuals striving for self-acceptance.

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