Struggling with Perfectionism? Ask Yourself These Three Questions
We live in a world where standards become higher every day.
It’s easier than ever to see other people’s every move - and compare yourself against everyone else’s successes.
These comparisons can make it easy to demand excellence from ourselves, and sometimes we demand so much excellence that it’s not possible to achieve our own high standards.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know how hard it can be to recognize perfectionism in yourself - are you really a perfectionist, or do you just have high standards?
After reading this article, you’ll know three sure signs you’re struggling with perfectionism and what next steps to take.
3 Ways to Know if You’re a Perfectionist
If you’re struggling to know whether or not you’re a perfectionist, ask yourself these three questions.
1. Do you get caught in “doom spirals?”
Question number one: Do you ever get caught in a doom spiral?
You might have a huge project or massive deadline coming up, and you just can't get yourself to do anything to get started.
Instead, you find ways to distract yourself from the stress doing things like scrolling TikTok or Instagram for hours.
2. Do you struggle with black and white thinking?
Question number two: Do you struggle to see the grey?
Maybe you're a really black and white thinker - something's either good or bad, it's right or it's wrong.
It's really hard for you to see the in between.
3. Do you have higher standards for yourself than for anyone else?
Question number three: Do often find yourself saying “but not me?”
Maybe are super good at encouraging your friends or giving people advice when they're feeling down.
You tell them that nobody's perfect and everyone makes mistakes - but not you.
You really have a hard time extending yourself the same grace and compassion that you give to other people.
If you said yes to any of those three questions, there's a high likelihood you're struggling with perfectionism.
Next Steps for Managing Perfectionism
After reading this article, you know three questions to help you identify whether or not you’re a perfectionism.
If you said yes to any of these three questions, it’s worth your time to explore perfectionism coping strategies to set yourself up for success.
To learn more about perfectionism, read What is Perfectionism? (& 8 Signs You Might be a Perfectionist).
If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help with perfectionism, fill out our Registration Form - a member of our team will get back to you within 24 hours!
To keep learning about managing perfectionism and building self-esteem, check out these articles:
- What is Self-Compassion (and 5 Ways to Build it)
- How to Find a Therapist for Self-Esteem in Toronto
- Why Burnout is More Than Just Stress - and How to Fix It
