Perfectionism can significantly affect your overall well-being. Feeling the need to be perfect can cause anxiety, depression, and many other mental health issues. Learning to better understand your mental health issues can help you understand why you feel the need to strive for perfection. Here are a few suggestions to help you begin to understand and overcome your perfectionism.
Change Your Attitude About Mistakes
Mistakes can have tremendous benefits. The best learning experiences come from moments that did not go as planned. Making mistakes is often challenging. Feeling that you failed a situation can be a negative experience. Work towards changing your mindset regarding mistakes to view them as a positive learning experience rather than a negative.
Learn Flexibility
Not every situation needs to go exactly as you planned. When you can be more flexible, you will realize that many different routes often lead to the same end.
Put Appropriate Pressure on Yourself
Try to examine the pressure you are putting on yourself. Is it the same pressure that you would place upon a loved one? Are you harder on yourself than you are on others? Why is that? Show yourself compassion. You do not need to be perfect to make progress and better yourself.
Work on Accepting Criticism
Accepting criticism in a healthy manner can be a real challenge for many people. Hearing that you could have done something different or better can be a huge trigger. Pay attention to how you react in those situations. When you can better understand how you are reacting, it can be easier to respond appropriately.
Acknowledge When Perfectionism Occurs
When do you find yourself struggling the most with perfectionism? Are you often with certain people or engaged in certain activities? Try to learn as much as you can about your perfectionism. Working with a professional can help you better understand your mental health issues and begin to work through your struggles.
Perfectionism is something that can negatively affect every area of a person’s life. Try to work on changing your mindset regarding mistakes and accepting criticism. Everyone makes mistakes, so learning to give yourself a break at times is essential. Learn as much as you can about your perfectionism so that you can better work to overcome it. Here at The Guest House, we know how difficult it can be to face your challenges. We are here to support you along your journey. Call us today to learn more about our different treatment options at (855) 483-7800.