Perfectionism is a double edged sword. Sometimes it is talked about as a quality to be admired; the highest standard that we should strive for. But perfectionism and the pressure for perfection is driving a rise in mental illness, specifically in anxiety and depression. The pressure for perfection is everywhere around us. Social media, our jobs, our families. It can be overwhelming and debilitating when realizing that perfection is not possible. Simply put, no one is perfect and the constant drive for perfection will always end in discouragement.
Everytime you are knocked down, instead of beating yourself up and instantly striving for perfection again, strive to see the beauty in being imperfect. Failure is not the same thing as weakness. To fail at something, does not mean you are not a strong and capable person. Combating the perfectionist lifestyle takes a lot of self acceptance and self compassion. Neither or which are the easiest to obtain. But they both start with the stark reality that not anyone, not you or I, will ever be perfect.
Depression is a serious condition and one that should not be left unchecked. If you find yourself grappling with feelings of failure over not being perfect, reach out to a depression counselor today. Insight Child & Family Counseling is here and ready to help. Give us a call today at 972-426-9500 or visit us online at www.j9n.83e.myftpupload.com.