The root of perfectionism is believing your self-worth is based onyour achievements

Perfectionism is often present when somecombination of these factors exist:

  • Rigid, high parental expectations
  • Highly critical, shaming, or abusive parents
  • Excessive praise for your achievements
  • Low self-esteem or feeling inadequate
  • Believing your self-worth is determined by your achievements
  • Black-and-white thinking
  • Efforts to feel in control
  • Cultural expectations

Many perfectionists grew up with unrealistic expectations from parents, caretakers and/or themselves.

Perfectionism is encouraged in some families. Sometimes parents knowingly or unknowingly establish perfection as the standard. These parents require straight As in school or flawless piano recitals.Mistakes are also harshly punished in these families. The punishment may be severe, even abusive. This can include name-calling, yelling, shaming, the silent treatment, and physical punishment. It is conveyed to the child,in words or actions,that mistakes will not be tolerated.

Young children have a strong desire to please adults, even abusive adults. Children dont have the thinking skills or life experience to understand that sometimes adults are wrong. Children are at the mercy of adults when it comes to building their self-worth. If an adult tells a small child that s/he isa failure, not smart enough, too fat, or not talented, the child will internalize this message. The child will believe this is true and then continue to find evidence to support this point of view.

Perfectionism can also be learned by children growing up around highly successful, perfectionist parents who model this way of thinking and acting. Perfectionism is encouraged when children arepraised excessively for their achievements rather than their efforts or progress.

Perfection becomes a way to gain acceptance, love, and praise

Being perfect can also be a defense against a chaotic, unpredictable or unsafe home. Having impeccable grades or a restrictive diet may create a sense of control and predictability.

Culture and the media also have a strong influence on perfectionism. Most American media outlets still feature tall, very slim, Caucasian models. Children grow up with this unattainable vision of beauty. We are saturated with this message, making it easy to believe that if we dont look like those models, we are not pretty enough or goodenough.

Some cultures and institutions such asschools promote a perfectionist mindset. In these situations, it’s not just a family or parent, but a larger system that is teaching and reinforcing that there is an exacting standard of worthiness and anything less is a failure or sign of inherent unworthiness.

For others, perfectionism is self-imposed. Even if your parents didnt expect perfection, you may have set this standard for yourself.

If no one explicitly accepted you just as you are, you may turn to achievement as a measure of self-worth. I want you to untangle this connection. Your achievement is not who you are. Successis not a measure of your worth. You are perfectly flawed and perfectly wonderful all at the same time.

I invite you to continue reading the Happily Imperfect Blog to learn more. And your suggestions for articletopics related to perfectionism are always welcome in the comments.

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