How To Permanently Stop maladaptive perfectionism, Even If You’ve Tried Everything

Hey fabulous friends! 💖 Have you ever felt like you’re constantly chasing an unattainable standard of perfection? Have you ever felt like it’s hard to part away from your inner perfectionist?

Join me as we delve into the heart of maladaptive perfectionism and discover strategies to live a more balanced and more authentic life.🌟✨

Maladaptive perfectionism is a psychological concept that refers to an extreme striving for flawlessness accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns about others’ evaluations.

While it may manifest differently in different people, it often involves setting excessively high standards. This results in experiencing distress whenever those standards are not met.

The distress turns into self critical behaviors such as negative self talk, difficulty accepting compliments, procrastination, and imposter syndrome.  

Maladaptive perfectionism can be a double-edged sword by driving you to achieve great things but also leading you to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

It’s crucial to understand the difference between healthy efforts and maladaptive perfectionism, which can sabotage your mental well-being.

Research suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition to perfectionism. Studies have found evidence of genetic contributions to personality traits related to perfectionism, such as conscientiousness and neuroticism.

Neuroimaging studies have also found differences in brain structure and function in individuals with perfectionistic tendencies, particularly in areas of the brain associated with self-evaluation, reward processing, and emotion regulation.

However (and that’s a BIG however), our brain does have the capacity to change. Many research studies have proven this.

In fact, functional MRI studies have shown that meditation increases connectivity between brain regions involved in attention and self-awareness, leading to enhanced cognitive control and emotional resilience.

In other words, don’t let genes define you as research shows that you CAN create new neural pathways in your brain with spirituality. 

Additionally, genetic factors alone do not determine perfectionism since environmental influences play a significant part as well.

Childhood experiences, parenting styles, societal expectations, and cultural influences all contribute to the development of perfectionistic tendencies.

For example, children who receive excessive praise or criticism for their achievements from emotionally immature parents may develop a heightened sensitivity to evaluation and a fear of failure, which can fuel maladaptive perfectionism.

Maladaptive perfectionism is often associated with cognitive distortions such as overgeneralization, and catastrophizing, and may engage in all-or-nothing thinking (aka black-and-white thinking), where anything less than perfection is seen as unacceptable.

In other words, things are either all good or all bad with all or nothing thinking. 

Individuals with maladaptive perfectionism tend to view mistakes as failures instead of seeing it as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

Maladaptive perfectionism is closely linked to unmanaged emotions such as fear, sadness, and anxiety. When these emotions are prolonged, it can lead to possible mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Additionally, the prolonged low self esteem can also lead to maladaptive perfectionism.

Moreover, people with maladaptive perfectionism may derive their sense of self-worth primarily from their achievements, making them particularly vulnerable to setbacks and criticism.

When trying to minimize maladaptive perfectionism, the journey toward positive change begins with a crucial first step: acknowledging the presence of perfectionistic tendencies.

The really great news is that if you’re reading this article, you’re already one step ahead of bringing yourself to self-awareness by learning all the signs and the causes.

By recognizing these tendencies, individuals can lay the groundwork for self-awareness and embark on a path toward healthier attitudes and behaviors.

So how do you really acknowledge these tendencies?

Reflect on moments of perfectionism in your daily life to identify where these tendencies lie. Is it in your work, relationships, or personal goals? Is it in your health or even in your area of personal growth?

Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward change.

Then you can start using a practical strategy.

By implementing effective strategies tailored to address perfectionistic tendencies, it is definitely possible to reclaim control over your life while also cultivating a more balanced and fulfilling existence at the same time.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and to actively engage in changing your thoughts.

My mental wealth course helps you quit your negative thinking and double your positive thinking in order to minimize anxiety and maximize your manifesting abilities. 

On the other hand, one simple way to get the hang of mindfulness, at a beginner’s level, is to use subliminals. 

Cultivating a meditation habit or using a workbook guide to clear chakras is also another great way to turn mindfulness into second nature. 

Affirmations can rewire our thought patterns so we do not stay stuck in a negative thinking loop. Repeat affirmations that reinforce your worth beyond achievements.

Check out my freebie to get an entire library of phone wallpapers with positive affirmations on them.

Setting achieveable goals helps in breaking the cycle of perfectionism. Instead of worrying about getting so much done in a certain amount of time, breaking them down into smaller parts can help the goal become more actionable.

The mental wealth course walks you through how to do this specifically. 

It’s about progress not perfection. 

Acknowledge and celebrate your efforts and progress. Every small step is a victory in the journey towards overcoming perfectionism.

Even setbacks can be a step towards success because it teaches you what you should not do the next time. 

Surround yourself with people who understand and support your journey. Our free Spiritmind Synergy community offers a safe space for sharing and encouragement.

Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. Self-compassion is a powerful tool against the critical voice of perfectionism. Consistently celebrating progress over perfection also allows self compassion to become reality

For those who want to delve deeper and who want to gain access to more personal guidance, I offer an exclusive online course tailored to help you break free from the chains of perfectionism.

Click here to be placed on the waitlist for the Mental Wealth Course. 

As you embark on this journey, remember that you are not alone. Many of us struggle with perfectionism, but it’s possible to set boundaries and live a life that values progress over perfection.

Embrace your imperfections; they are what make you uniquely beautiful.

Together, let’s embrace our flaws and imperfections as we walk the path of self-love and acceptance. 💖✨