The Dark Side of Perfectionism: How Healthy Striving Can Set You Free

Did you know that perfectionism causes procrastination? It can come from fear of judgement and unmet childhood needs for acceptance and belonging.

Are you ready to break free from the perfectionism trap? Join me today as I talk about the origins of perfectionism and most importantly, a game-changing mindset shift that can set us free: healthy striving.

Perfectionism has a sneaky way of holding us back, fueling self-doubt, and leaving us feeling inadequate. But here's the secret: healthy striving is the antidote we've been searching for!

Tune in for real-life examples that will help you uncover where perfectionism might be showing up for you so you can tackle it head-on. You’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to say goodbye to chasing perfection and hello to a life of embracing excellence.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this week’s episode:

  • The complex nature of perfectionism and its impact on our lives

  • My personal struggles with perfectionism and what I'm doing

  • The importance of embracing healthy striving, self-compassion, and authenticity

  • Actionable steps to foster creativity, play, rest, and meaningful work

Tune in to learn how to let go of the need for certainty and control and how adding fun and joy to your life can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to Therapy Explained Podcast

00:24 Personal Confession: Overcoming Perfectionism

01:41 Understanding Perfectionism

03:32 The Impact of Perfectionism on Our Lives

05:19 Perfectionism vs. Healthy Striving

08:57 Perfectionism in Relationships and Self-Worth

13:08 The Roots of Perfectionism 1

3:30 Understanding Childhood Perceptions of Criticism

14:05 Defense Mechanisms and Their Impact

15:22 Relearning Self-Perception and Values

16:04 Parenting with High Expectations and Low Criticism

16:50 The Myth of Perfection and True Belonging

17:50 Overcoming Perfectionism: Courage, Compassion, and Connection

18:06 Guideposts to a Wholehearted Life

19:06 Cultivating Self-Compassion and Resilience

20:08 Embracing Joy, Gratitude, and Creativity

22:38 The Importance of Play, Rest, and Calm

24:10 Meaningful Work and Letting Go of Self-Doubt

25:41 Mantras for Combating Perfectionism

26:39 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Did you know that women are especially prone to perfectionism? Talking to a licensed psychologist can help. Explore if therapy is right for you.

Explore Therapy

Kimberly Knull, RPsych

Kimberly Knull is a Registered Psychologist, motivational speaker and trained by Brené Brown as a Dare to Lead™ and Daring Way™ facilitator. She’s the Co-Founder of Momentum Walk-In Counselling Society, recognized as one of Avenue magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, and dabbled as a local celebrity as CBC AM Radio’s parenting columnist. Her favorite pastimes include whipping up a yummy cheese souffle, hanging with friends, riding her horses or playing the piano. She lives with her husband and two girls in Edmonton, Alberta, but has big dreams of moving to the country.

https://www.kimberlyknull.com
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