The Drug of Perfectionism
Many people consider perfectionism to be a positive trait to strive for and be proud of, and yeah, striving for perfection is great. Yay! Let's flip the coin: perfectionism, however, has the potential to get out of control, and though it is a positive trait, it can become an addiction just like a drug. The title "The Drug of Perfectionism" was chosen because of that. It is an addiction that people struggle with because they start to enjoy the dopamine of the drug, and soon they want more of it and more moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Wow, I believe the drug’s recipe includes some kind of honey; I'm just saying.
And for every addiction, one needs to pay a price, and for the drug of perfectionism, here are some of the prices you will pay: self-doubt, worry, and sadness. And, yes, not everything in the store is within everyone's budget, and if you could afford it, you wouldn’t be here reading this article. This article tries to highlight the drawbacks of perfectionism and how it affects both people and society.
Let me state that I was also taking this drug a few years ago; thus, what I am about to discuss with you in this article is something I have personally experienced. Maybe I could have been a best-selling author by now, but my fate, coupled with the spirit of perfectionism, has played its part in delaying the process. Nevertheless, it is never too late to start over when you fail. I didn’t know that I was taking the drug of perfectionism; in fact, I was a seasoned addict to the drug. Hey, I am not talking about the whites or whatever; instead, I am talking about the drug of perfectionism. I hope you didn't get carried away.
This is why self-awareness is critical, as it was through self-awareness that I discovered my demon. Hahaha, the laughter of a demon.
Perfectionism can be defined as the persistent drive to achieve flawlessness and excellence in all areas of life. It is often fueled by the belief that success, happiness, and self-worth are directly tied to one’s ability to perform and produce perfect results in everything he or she does. Is that possible? This is why perfectionism is flawed. This might be my opinion, but you should look deep to root out some logic.
The pursuit of perfection can become all-consuming, leading individuals to set impossibly high standards for themselves and to become increasingly critical and self-punishing when they fall short of these standards. A quick story: at one time, I wanted to be the coolest kid in high school. Little did I know that it was going to turn out badly. It became a weight on me because I couldn’t express my true feelings. Because if I happen to do so, I will definitely get into trouble with the other kids, the administration will know about it, and I won’t be the coolest kid on campus. This was when I got introduced to the perfectionism drug. OMG! Its sucks! Is there any other way I can describe the feeling? Let me say it was horrible, like in a horror movie. I am not a big fan of horror movies.
Perfectionism can manifest in a variety of ways. Some people may focus on perfecting their appearance, striving for the perfect body image or the perfect wardrobe, but the problem is that they take it to an extreme level. I'm sure someone will disagree with me on this. I'm not a hypocrite; I go to the gym about five times a week and like to look my best, but why wouldn't any sane person want to look good and be in good shape? Maybe you know the answer to this question, don’t you?
Some people, on the other hand, may be overly focused on their work, always striving to produce the perfect report or presentation for their boss, or if you are a student, maybe for your instructor. Again, there is nothing wrong with being focused on your work; in fact, you must be focused. But take note of the adjective "overly": if you are doing something overly, it means that the thing you are doing is either taking something from you, which it almost always does, or it is causing you to lose something. And these things can be your peace of mind, your health, family, your finances; your friends; and the list goes on forever.
The problem with perfectionism is that it doesn’t exist. This is nothing but a fact. Let me put it this way: do you think the first smartphone was that perfect? If you answer yes, that means you are also taking the addictive drug of perfectionism. Congratulations! I hope your brothers are doing just fine. It’s through imperfections that we find perfection. Just so you know, perfection is a feeling; there is nothing new under the sun. Guaranteed, if you get used to your constant feelings of perfection, you are on the path to disappointment, loss, anger, or whatever else you want to call it.
You see, perfection is an unattainable goal. I meant to say that it’s not achievable because, as humans, imperfection is deeply rooted in us, and as long as you are alive, you will constantly make mistakes, but you can use those mistakes as fuel to get to the next level in life. That’s all I am saying. and the pursuit of it can be damaging to one’s mental and physical health. I know I am not qualified to say such, but it has been proven to be so. When individuals become fixated on the idea of perfection, they can become overly self-critical and anxious. This self-criticism can lead to a host of negative emotions, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Perfectionism can also lead to delays and the avoidance of important tasks. Perfectionistic individuals may struggle to start projects or tasks because they are afraid of not being able to do them perfectly. They are notoriously known for avoiding anything that presents a challenge because they are afraid of failing or not measuring up to the impossibly high standards they set for themselves. This avoidance behavior can prevent one from taking risks and trying new things all together in the name of “I will not do it perfectly," which can limit their personal and professional growth as well.
Perfectionists can also hurt their own relationships without them knowing it, but maybe with self-awareness they can spot their imbalances and work on them ASAP in order to save their relationship if they want to. Perfectionistic people may struggle to form and maintain meaningful relationships because they are so focused on being perfect. They may avoid intimacy and vulnerability because they are afraid of being judged or rejected. Intimacy and vulnerability are very important in any intimate relationship, and they cannot be achieved without imperfections, but that’s never in the dictionary of my perfectionists, I can tell you for sure, because I was one of them. Perfectionists can be difficult to deal with because they are critical of others, making their relationships a battleground. Maybe I will write another article in the future on this subject, but for now, I will stay in line with what needs to be said.
These days, addiction to perfectionism is perpetuated by society’s pressures and, to some extent, family expectations as well. In terms of family expectations, families frequently find themselves striving to perfect their children. Something that leads to possessiveness, where the family feels that they own their children and that they should achieve the success threshold they have set for them. This can frequently result in their child (children) feeling stressed and under pressure.
Society often values perfection and sets high standards for individuals, especially in the areas of appearance, performance, and success. This can lead individuals to feel that they must measure up to these standards to be accepted and valued in society. I hate to mention that social media, such as TikTok, Instagram, and the like, contribute to the perpetuation of perfectionism by presenting unrealistic images of beauty, success, and happiness. Btw, there are so many social media sites out there on the internet that it's like a whole new world.
I know this might sound controversial, but the demands and expectations of society can feed the dangerous addiction to perfectionism, and those who buy into it are the victims. As a result, one might experience several unfavorable consequences, such as self-criticism, procrastination, avoidance tactics, and ill-feeling in relationships of any kind. It is critical to understand that flaws are a part of human nature; failing to do so may lead to a life of imbalance. You see imperfections as motivations for personal growth. "Imperfection is the mother of perfection," as the old saying goes.
My personal message to you right now is that you should stop taking the drugs of perfectionism at all costs!
