In a world obsessed with being competent and perfect, it’s no wonder so many of us slip into the role of a perfectionist. Some of us even wear it like a badge of honor. Sure, it’s helped us in some ways—but let’s be real: at what cost? Perfectionism isn’t the same as striving for excellence. It’s often born out of survival, a way to suppress tough emotions like shame. And the truth? It wreaks havoc on our bodies and pulls us further away from our purpose and authenticity.

And then there’s rejection. If we spend our lives dodging rejection in the name of being perfect, how can we ever truly know what true acceptance feels like, and in turn, learn who we truly are?

On today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer are back with Piper Rose to unpack these heavy hitters. They dive into why perfectionism clings on so tightly, how rejection sensitivity (and rejection sensitivity dysphoria) shows up as a coping mechanism, and—most importantly—how we can start to shift it. They explore how trust and safety in our bodies are essential before we can feel truly accepted by others. This means working with our nervous systems, using tools like NSI, to get to the root of it all.

When we finally face how we’ve rejected or judged ourselves for not being “perfect,” we can take our first real steps toward authenticity—and eventually, toward the purpose we’re meant to live.

Ready to dive deeper? Don’t miss today’s episode—it’s a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Topics discussed in this episode:

The difference between perfectionism and excellence
Why control feels like safety
Perfectionism as a path to healing
Why the phrase “you are enough” is more than just a meme
The neuroscience behind rejection sensitivity
How the term “rejection” can be vague and misunderstood
Does rejection sensitivity dysphoria only affect people with ADHD?
The cost of perfectionism and rejection sensitivity on the body
How perfectionism and rejection sensitivity contribute to chronic health issues
Society’s role in shaping coping mechanisms and the health of our nervous systems
Why trust and safety must come from the body before true acceptance is possible

To learn more about Piper Rose and Shadow Play coaching, head to https://piperrosecoaching.com/

Connect with Piper on Instagram by heading to https://www.instagram.com/shadowplaycoaching/

Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/

Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com

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This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear.

We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization.

We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

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