The Problem of Perfectionism, or, Your Shit Stinks Too Bro (and Bro-ette)

Poopy, Poopy, Poopy Perfectionism

We all know someone who is a perfectionist.

This is rather unfortunate. For, what is perfectionism?

Self-hatred. Inadequacy. Shame. Guilt. To name a few characteristics driving perfectionism.

The perfectionist is a rather hideous creature behind their thinly veiled mask wishing 'things would be better' when they're actually just hating things as they are. The world is not perfect. Human beings are not perfect. So who are we to think that things ought to be perfect? Who are we that we are so special we expect perfection in a world that cannot provide it? How unreasonable is this? How offensive is this?

The perfectionist is further doomed to be continually let down. And this state of let-down-ness  is yet another unattractive characteristic of the perfectionist. The inadequate nature of the perfectionist causes them to see inadequacy in everything else in the world. The perfectionist typically lacks self-reflection. This is key to remaining a perfectionist. Instead of admitting they are let-down with and by themselves, the perfectionist claims to be let down by others, let down by people and things outside of their control. Because, after all, if it were in their control it would be perfect.

The perfectionist will always try to place themselves above others. They also claim not to be doing this as they do it.

So, my question, as always, is: who told us we aren't good enough?

I don't have this problem because I do think I am good enough. I do not think I am better then people or above them and more valued than them. I just believe in my heart that I am good enough.

To the perfectionists out there: who told you that you weren't good enough? This seems a much more productive pursuit than self-hate riddled distaste of human beings driven by a false sense of moral certainty. That is what the core of perfectionism looks like.