What Happens When You Try to Be Perfect?

 

We commonly hear about how parents push their children to be the best at everything. Such lofty expectations can produce great uneasiness that remains with the children through adulthood. This form of extreme parenting causes children to develop anxiety disorders that pose serious future consequences.

In an environment where the focus is on perfection only, parents tend to neglect to see their child’s positive actions. In addition, they overlook their child’s achievements, which, at a young age, are important for the development of self-esteem. Many mental health professionals agree that perfectionism is closely linked to an individual’s self-esteem. When people believe that any effort they make is not good enough, they will experience stress, burnout, and inevitable emotional exhaustion.

It is not uncommon to hear adults with anxiety disorders say that the pressure from their parents was so brutal during their childhood that they usually had go to their bedroom shaking and crying, scared to death.

To prevent this emotional deterioration, it is important to pay little attention to the demands of those around you. Be willing to accept that your effort is valuable, and forget what others—or even society as a whole—are trying to impose on you.

Perfectionism is expressed in the way you talk to yourself. If you believe you must do everything flawlessly, I recommend you start contemplating how to change your way of thinking. Maybe you need to work on realistic and achievable goals and forget about the excessive need for others’ approval. Engage more in pleasurable and recreational activities. After all, the small accomplishments are what make a huge difference in our lives.

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