"No, What if this isn’t good enough? People will notice every little mistake I make."

"I should have done better. Why can’t I be as successful as my sister?"

What Perfectionism Can Look Like

Perfectionism isn’t just about having high standards or wanting to do well. It’s that nagging internal voice telling you “this isn’t good enough,” no matter how hard you try. It can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly running a race you can’t win.

Here’s how it might show up in your life:

• Your Thoughts:

  • You’re hard on yourself—constantly.
  • You fear failure or worry what others might think.
  • You might think: “If this isn’t perfect, it’s all going to fall apart.”

• Your Actions:

  • You avoid tasks because you’re afraid you won’t get them “just right.”
  • You work yourself into exhaustion, tweaking and redoing things over and over.
  • Or you procrastinate—because starting feels overwhelming.

• Your Feelings:

  • Anxiety kicks in when you can’t meet your expectations.
  • You feel ashamed or frustrated when things don’t go as planned.
  • Even small mistakes can feel like huge failures.

• In Relationships:

  • It’s hard to let go and trust others to do things.
  • You might feel critical of others or worry they’re judging you.
  • Connecting can feel exhausting because you’re always “on.”

• In Your Body:

  • Tension headaches, tight shoulders, or a knot in your stomach.
  • Feeling worn out, but struggling to get good sleep.
  • Your body feels like it’s carrying the weight of all that pressure.

Therapy gives you a space to really slow down, breathe, and figure out where this perfectionism is coming from—and what you can do about it. Here’s what we can work on together:

• Getting to the Root: We’ll explore where these patterns started and how they’ve shaped the way you see yourself and the world. Sometimes understanding why can help you take back control.

• Tackling Those Negative Thoughts: Using practical tools, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we’ll identify and challenge those harsh, critical thoughts that keep you stuck in the cycle of “not good enough.”

• Learning to Set Realistic Expectations: Together, we’ll figure out what “good enough” actually looks like for you. You’ll learn how to set goals that are doable, healthy, and leave room for real life.

• Practicing Self-Compassion: I’ll help you turn down the volume on self-criticism and replace it with kindness—because being imperfect doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human.

• Letting Go of the Need for Control: If perfectionism is your way of holding it all together, we’ll gently look at what’s underneath that. If past experiences play a role, we’ll work through them so you can feel safer and more grounded in the present.

• Celebrating Progress Over Perfection: Therapy can help you shift to a mindset that values growth, balance, and the things that bring you joy—not just achievement.