Perfectionism
Finding it difficult to make mistakes
Making mistakes can feel more significant than they seem to other people. Rather than seeing them as a normal part of learning, they can feel personal, leaving you questioning yourself or feeling as though you've somehow fallen short.
You might spend longer checking your work, avoid starting something unless you feel confident you can do it well, or put things off altogether because the pressure to get it right feels overwhelming. Over time, this can make it difficult to take risks, be creative, or simply allow yourself to be imperfect.
Mistakes don't just feel frustrating. They can feel hurt. They can seem to say something about who you are, rather than simply what happened, making them much harder to let go of. - Take the first step
Feeling the pressure to achieve
You might feel as though you're always expected to do more, be better, or give more of yourself. Whether it's at work, in your relationships, or in your own personal goals, the pressure can feel constant.
You might find it difficult to slow down or give yourself permission to do nothing. Achievements can bring a sense of relief or satisfaction, but that feeling often doesn't last for long before your attention shifts to what comes next. The pressure and your attention simply move on to the next thing that needs doing. - Share this with me
Setting impossibly high standards
You may expect a great deal from yourself, feeling as though whatever you do could always be done better. The pressure to achieve, perform, or get things right can become relentless, making it difficult to recognise when something is already good enough. Instead, the focus quickly shifts to what you could have done differently, what you missed, or what still needs improving. - Let’s talk it through