Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect.
Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgement, and shame. It is true that no matter what we achieve in life, for some odd reason we cannot deem it as good enough, no matter how good it may be. The truth is society doesn’t really love perfection, in fact we “...are actually drawn to people who are real and down-to-earth” (Brown 1). But, that does not stop us from getting sucked into perfectionism, the truth of the matter is, “We get sucked into perfection for one very simple reason: We believe perfection will protect us” (Brown 1). Everyone in this world feels the need to be loved, like they belong, but these things we desire can never be achieved because we never feel as though we are enough. As we live, we strive to reach perfection, but perfection is never truly reachable. It dangles in front of us, forcing us to chase after it throughout our entire existence, yet it is merely a tease.
As the idea of perfection haunts us, we go to extreme measures to try and achieve this goal. Yet, no matter what lengths we go to, they never seem to be enough. They can never truly fill that void of the need to be perfect. No matter how close to perfect you may be, the goal of being perfect is unreachable. You can try, try, and try again, but in the end you will only fail because although perfection is something that we all strive for to avoid pain and judgement, it is something that can never truly be accomplished.
As the idea of perfection haunts us, we go to extreme measures to try and achieve this goal. Yet, no matter what lengths we go to, they never seem to be enough. They can never truly fill that void of the need to be perfect. No matter how close to perfect you may be, the goal of being perfect is unreachable. You can try, try, and try again, but in the end you will only fail because although perfection is something that we all strive for to avoid pain and judgement, it is something that can never truly be accomplished.