Perfectionism in Disguise as “chill”? Here’s What to Look Out for
For most of my life, I never identified as a perfectionist. Ambitious YES. But perfectionist…(?)
I was the chilllll, go with the flow, roll out of bed and do anything for anyone “nice” girl.
I didn't care about a classically perfect appearance, A+ grades, or any of the other things I thought defined a perfectionist. I prided myself on marching to the beat of my own drum (still do!).
When I started digging in & doing the work to heal my relationship with food & my body I realized I was ACTUALLY healing my relationship with myself.
Talk about a lightbulb moment.
This meant starting to identify & unravel the more subtle limiting patterns of things like perfectionism, people-pleasing, disordered boundaries, emotional regulation, communication etc.
I realized that my own perfectionistic tendencies showed up in more subtle ways (overworking, doing everything on my own, sweeping emotions under the rug etc.)- all as personal bids for control & fear of sitting in discomfort.
It's been free + wildly liberating to name this & have a solution to move forward. It's given me a new level of self-awareness, and dare I say…self-love.
All tools that I get to build on for life and teach to my clients now.
I cannot even begin to describe the joy that I feel when witnessing someone share a breakthrough likeeee
Boldly saying 'no', instead of an accommodating yes.
Taking a relaxing break without overcompensating immediately afterward.
Asking for help without spiraling into “what if's”.
Eating a meal and moving on without worrying.
Showing up feeling preset and not preoccupied with body image.
Making decisions consistently + confidently without procrastinating.
Yes Yes. Yes. and YESSSSS.
I'm sure that this won't come as a shock to you, but healing our relationship with food & body actually has very little to do with….welp food and body.
If you're stuck in the struggle (or the on/off cycle…I know both very well), I want to invite you to ponder this: What is behind the struggle- even just one layer deeper?
Reflecting on this is courageous & requires a big dose of self-compassion. But damn, it's so valuable for change
Here's to a week of self-awareness & resetting to more nourishing expectations (one of my favorite perfectionism recovery tools!).
P.S. If you're ready to uncover your own patterns of perfectionism so that you can clear 'em out & create sustainable food/body image/life tools click this link to book a call this week to discuss 1:1 coaching.
