Why Being a Perfectionist Can Be Harmful to Yourself

Getty Images / PeopleImages

Perfectionism is ultimately linked to the concept of perfection. It can be defined as the desire to always produce the highest, best, and most flawless results in any endeavor. Individuals who exhibit perfectionist traits often set excessively high standards for their own performance.

While perfectionism is frequently regarded as a positive trait—indicating a drive to achieve the best—it's crucial to recognize that being a perfectionist can have adverse effects on oneself. According to Psychology Today, here are five reasons why being a perfectionist can be harmful.

1. Worrying and Harsh Self-Assessment

One of the most significant drawbacks of perfectionism is that it is often correlated with negative self-talk. This internal dialogue refers to the way we converse with ourselves on a mental level, where perfectionists tend to evaluate their own performance critically.

As perfectionists, we may constantly doubt our capabilities, relentlessly search for flaws, and fail to acknowledge the accomplishments we have achieved.

Over time, this negative self-perception can profoundly undermine our self-esteem and lead to diminished life satisfaction. Critically assessing ourselves may lead to a cycle of self-doubt from which it becomes increasingly challenging to escape.

2. Unhealthy Relationship with Mistakes

For perfectionists, mistakes are not just minor setbacks; they are viewed as personal failures. This unhealthy relationship with errors can foster immense pressure and emotional distress.

Perfectionists often feel shattered when they make mistakes, leading to a crippling fear of failure that stifles their desire to take risks or embark on new pursuits.

This reluctance to embrace challenges can significantly impede personal growth and restrict opportunities for valuable lessons learned from experiences.

The tendency to avoid risks ultimately shrinks our potential and limits our accomplishments in various areas of life.

3. Tendency to Worry and Overthink Work

Perfectionists are predisposed to constant worry and overthinking, particularly concerning their work. They fear falling short of the standards they impose on themselves or the expectations set by others.

Such relentless worry can disrupt the balance of various life aspects, making it incredibly difficult to relax or enjoy leisure time.

The ongoing anxiety experienced can manifest as chronic stress, which adversely affects overall well-being.

The mental preoccupation with tasks can hinder creativity and diminish productivity, creating a self-fulfilling cycle of worry.

4. Obsession with Work

Another significant characteristic of perfectionism is the tendency towards workaholism. This involves an obsessive commitment to work that can overshadow other essential elements of life.

Perfectionists often prioritize work above everything else, sometimes to the detriment of their health and social relationships.

Such an obsession can lead to serious physical and mental exhaustion, known as burnout. The continuous push for flawless performance can compromise our health, leaving little room for self-care or maintaining meaningful personal connections.

5. High Risk of Burnout

Unsurprisingly, perfectionists have a remarkably high risk of experiencing burnout. Burnout refers to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion resulting from overwhelming workloads coupled with inadequate recovery time.

The immense pressure perfectionists place on themselves to achieve perfection can render them vulnerable to burnout, surpassing their capacity for endurance. Burnout can have lasting effects, creating inertia that makes it hard to engage in previously enjoyed activities and can lead to serious mental health issues.

While perfectionism is often celebrated as a trait of high achievers, it can have significant negative consequences on happiness, health, and life balance.

Understanding these underlying issues can help individuals recognize and manage their perfectionistic tendencies, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.