THE PAIN OF PERFECTION
For many people, the desire and commitment to do their ‘best’, can easily morph into an obsessional attempt to be ‘perfect’.
‘Perfectionism’ is often one of the major maintaining and controlling factors for a person who is suffering with an eating disorder.
‘Perfection’ is an impossibility, but it is a often believed to be THE goal to aim for. This belief will only result in failure and probable
exhaustion from attempting to reach this impossible state of being. The pursuit of perfection may result in a number of situations.
A person may realize that they are aiming for the impossible, and simply relax and enjoy a more attainable goal.
What may also happen, which may not seem obvious at first, is that the person who has been the ‘high achiever’ will begin to feel
depressed and hopeless, and may become unable to accomplish much of anything in their daily life. They may consider themselves
lazy,be depressed, and have considerable problems doing even the most simple things. They may reach a point of apathy.
Could this be a result or an extension of the ‘perfectionism’? I think it may.
Because it is not possible to be perfect, for any of us, the pursuit is not only exhausting, but obviously, unrewarding.
A lot of physical and emotional energy is likely to be spent on this unattainable goal.
A feeling of failure is another likely result, which will add to the feelings of depression and hopelessness. This can leave a person feeling
empty and useless, with a sense of loss of identity. Who are they if they are not that ‘perfect’ person they have been striving to be?
I don’t believe that anyone strives for perfection because they believe they ARE perfect, or that they are better than anyone else.
More than likely, it’s just the opposite. The expectations of society and the world around us may ‘sound’ like rules for how we ‘should’ be.
Such a vicious cycle….
My conclusion is that the impossible pursuit to be perfect may lead to depression, apathy and much less motivation in the end.
Let’s all strive to do our personal best and be proud of it!
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.