We live in a world where social media constantly compares ourselves and our lifestyles against others to achieve self-perfection. Whether that means living comfortably at home until you get your big break or collecting endless accolades, it can seem like there isn't any room left for mistakes.

Perfectionism has increased since the 1980s

Curran and Hill, Ph.D., from the University of Bath, found perfectionism has become more acceptable. He determined three types of perfectionism: self-oriented (or an irrational desire to be perfect), socially prescribed (perceiving excessive expectations from others) & other-oriented( placing unrealistic standards on others).

His study found that over time there has been an increase of 10% for self-oriented perfectionism and 33% for social prescribedness. Additionally, the other-oriented score increased by 16%.

How to Overcome Perfectionism?

Perfectionism is a huge problem because it prevents people from being able to finish tasks or even start them! There are many ways you can overcome perfectionism, and in this article, we'll discuss some of the most effective ones:

1. Acknowledge that perfectionism is a problem.

The first step to overcoming perfectionism is acknowledging that it's a problem. Once you recognize that perfectionism is holding you back, you can start to take steps to change your thinking and behaviours.

2. Set realistic goals.

One of the reasons perfectionism can be so debilitating is because it often leads to setting unrealistic goals. If you're constantly striving for perfection, you're likely setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, try to set realistic goals that you can achieve.

3. Permit yourself to fail.

Another reason perfectionism can be harmful is that it doesn't allow for any room for failure. You'll never get anything done if you're constantly worried about making mistakes. Instead, give yourself permission to fail and know that it's okay to make mistakes.

4. Take baby steps.

If you're perfectionistic, likely, you're also a perfectionist when it comes to your goals. You might want to achieve everything all at once, but that's not realistic. Instead, try breaking down your goals into small, manageable steps.

5. Seek professional help.

If you find that perfectionism negatively impacts your life, you may want to seek professional help. Perfectionism can signify an underlying mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. If you're struggling to manage perfectionism independently, talking to a therapist can be a helpful step.