The One You Feed cover image

The One You Feed

The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism: Why You Never Feel Good Enough with Ellen Hendriksen

Feb 21, 2025
Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author specializing in perfectionism and self-acceptance, shares groundbreaking insights on why perfectionism often leaves us feeling inadequate. She discusses how perfectionism can be disguised as a strength but leads to self-criticism and procrastination. Ellen reveals that procrastination is an emotional regulation issue and emphasizes the power of self-compassion. By embracing imperfection and understanding our true worth, she encourages listeners to liberate themselves from the burdens of high expectations.
56:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Perfectionism disguises itself as positivity but often results in self-criticism, procrastination, and emotional exhaustion, negatively impacting mental health.
  • The conflation of self-worth with performance leads to anxiety and fear of failure, hindering personal growth and appreciation of inherent value.

Deep dives

The Illusion of Perfectionism

Perfectionism often disguises itself as a positive trait, such as being hardworking or detail-oriented, yet it can lead to negative self-criticism and over-evaluation. Many individuals confuse conscientiousness with the harsh judgment associated with perfectionism, where they equate their self-worth with their performance. This mindset can hinder personal growth and lead to feelings of never being good enough. Recognizing this distinction can be crucial for understanding the impact of perfectionism on one’s mental health and self-esteem.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode