When Perfect Becomes a Prison
I used to think being meticulous was just part of who I was. I paid attention. I caught things other people missed. I made sure everything felt intentional, because if I was going to do something, it needed to be right.
But somewhere along the way, that strength turned into a trap.
Not just the late nights or the decision fatigue. But the way perfection made me shrink. I stopped trying new things unless I had a rollout plan. I second-guessed myself out of joy. I paused mid-sentence because a word didn’t feel right and never finished the thought.
It’s easy to assume high standards are a sign of excellence. But sometimes, they’re just fear dressed up in a better outfit.
This week’s Medium post is about exactly that. The mental gymnastics of needing to get it “right” all the time—and what it takes to step off that treadmill finally. You can read it here.
And if this speaks to a part of you that’s tired of holding it all together, Self-Help-ish might be the book you didn’t know you needed. It’s not about doing better. It’s about letting go of the pressure to be perfect in the first place. You can grab it on Amazon.
Talk soon,
Shaunté