HAPPY Monday, Achiever! 
Trapped in the Cycle of Perfectionism
You wake up early, ready to tackle your to-do list. You’ve crafted every plan, scheduled every moment, and told yourself, This time, I’ll get it all right. But as the hours tick by, perfectionism creeps in, whispering, What if this isn’t good enough? What if you fail?
You rewrite an email for the fifth time, delay making an important decision, or overcommit yourself to avoid disappointing others.
By the end of the day, you’re drained—mentally, emotionally, and physically. The list is incomplete, your satisfaction is fleeting, and the critical voice in your head is louder than ever.
This cycle isn’t just exhausting; it’s suffocating.
Perfectionism promises control and success, but instead delivers burnout, self-doubt, and stagnation.
You’re stuck in a space where nothing ever feels enough—where every achievement raises the bar higher and where joy and fulfillment seem just out of reach.
Many of us are dancing on the edge of perfectionism overwhelm, and don't even realise it. This was me... - until I learnt more about perfectionism and more importantly, the deeper needs driving the behaviour. For me it all boils down to acceptance. Social Acceptance and Self Acceptance. And with that knowledge I can catch the behavours when they show up - pause - and reset with intention on what's most important.
One of the most powerful tools I’ve found in this process is naming my fixed mindset. Inspired by Carol Dweck’s work, I realised that giving my inner critic a name helped me separate from it rather than be consumed by it.
Now, when perfectionism creeps in—when I hear that voice whispering that I need to get everything just right or risk failure—I can recognise it for what it is.
Instead of letting it run the show, I can pause and say, Oh, that’s just Perfectionist Polly, trying to keep me safe. And in that moment of awareness, I get to choose differently. I get to lean into growth, self-acceptance, and progress over perfection.
How do you know you are dancing on the slippery slope of perfectionism?
Where are you?
