Perfectionism: the anxiety trigger you didn't sign up for – five ways to break free

WE live in a world where perfectionism is often celebrated. From social media filters to #hustleculture, striving for flawlessness is constantly framed as a sign of ambition and success.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

But what happens when those high standards begin to weigh you down, leaving you feeling anxious, inadequate, and constantly falling short?

Perfectionism and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, feeding off each other in a cycle that can feel impossible to escape.

What is perfectionism?

Perfectionism is an unhealthy obsession with flawlessness. It's more than just wanting to do well; it's about setting impossible standards for yourself, fearing mistakes, and constantly comparing yourself to others.

Signs of perfectionism:

• All-or-nothing thinking: Believing that anything less than perfect is a failure.

• Negative self-talk: Harshly criticising yourself for not being "good enough."

•Procrastination: Delaying tasks because you fear they won't be perfect.

• Fear of asking for help: Worrying that needing assistance makes you look incapable.

• Sensitivity to feedback: Taking even constructive criticism personally. Harvard Health alludes that perfectionism often masks itself as motivation or high standards, but it’s driven by fear, fear of failure, rejection, or being seen as “less than.”

Perfectionism and anxiety are natural companions

Anxiety thrives on fear and uncertainty, and perfectionism feeds that fear by creating constant pressure to perform. According to Dr Gordon Flett, a leading researcher on perfectionism, there are three types of perfectionism: