Untangle How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists. With Dr. Ellen Hendriksen
Oct 14, 2025
Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author specializing in self-acceptance, dives into the complexities of perfectionism and self-criticism. She explains how perfectionism can lead to burnout and struggles with identity. Ellen offers valuable insights on shifting from self-judgment to kindness and emphasizes the importance of permitting mistakes as part of being human. Plus, she presents playful techniques for diffusing negative thoughts and encourages listeners to redefine failure while embracing their true selves.
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Perfectionism Is Double-Edged
- Perfectionism is a tendency to do more than required that can be both helpful and harmful.
- Unhealthy perfectionism mixes harsh self-criticism with over-evaluation of performance as personal worth.
Perfectionism Comes From Many Sources
- Perfectionism arises from genes, family dynamics, and cultural change.
- Social media and competitive culture have driven rising perfectionistic expectations over recent decades.
Give Yourself Task-Focused Feedback
- Replace evaluative self-talk with task-focused, information-based instructions.
- Turn the spotlight from personal criticism to practical steps for improving the work.
