Pushing Back Against Perfection In The Age Of AI

Perfection looks polished on a screen, but it can feel brutal in real life. We are surrounded by curated bodies, flawless success stories, and now the rising presence of artificial intelligence that seems to do everything faster and better. So what happens to our mental health when we start believing we should be just as smooth, just as productive, and just as unbreakable?

We talk honestly about why being human is not a downgrade. From the surprising science of attractiveness (symmetry matters, but “too perfect” can look odd) to the everyday reality of strong emotions, we unpack how perfectionism feeds anxiety, overwhelm, and that harsh inner voice telling you to “snap out of it”. We also explore the weird future-adjacent question of comfort and care: robot nurses, AI companionship, and why human-made art and human empathy still carry a depth that machines struggle to match.

The conversation turns practical when we get into triggers and pressure from other people. Family and friends can push their wants onto your life, whether that is relationships, kids, money, or milestones, and it takes real self-knowledge to spot what sets you off and choose boundaries that protect your peace. We also challenge the modern myth that you must be totally independent, emotionally and financially, to be “whole”. Humans are made for connection, support, and getting through storms together.

If any of this hits home, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs a gentler view of themselves, and leave us a review so more listeners can find Real Anxiety Relief with The Sisters formerly known as Get Real with the English Sisters. What part of being human are you ready to accept today?

Transcript

Copy

Why We Chase Perfection

SPEAKER_01 0:00

We're only human after all, aren't we? We're only human after all. With all our flaws and all our imperfections. And yet we seem to want to be superhuman. We do. That's what we're gonna be talking about in Get Real with the English sisters this week. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, there is this strive for perfection that's growing stronger, I think, in today's world. I think it's growing stronger and stronger. Yeah, definitely. And it's something we have to push back against, I think. Because it's not good for our mental health. No, absolutely. I think it's we have to push against it because we see just images of perfection, a striving for perfection everywhere, all the time. And in this world of artificial intelligence as well, and it's only going to get more and more, there's going to be more and more of it around.

Why Imperfection Looks More Human

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Our humanity, as to say, we don't sometimes we don't do things as perfect. No, and it's like what they say when they've done scientific studies to look at um faces that are most attractive, they're not actually perfect faces. There's always yes, there's always asymmetrical aspects of it because one side of our body is always slightly different to the other. That's true, isn't it? It's like one foot is bigger than the other, slightly different. Half our nose is longer than the other, half or shorter, and one eye might be bigger than the other. And we don't, we as humans, we don't actually like the perfect faces. We don't know. Oh, we no, we did. I think we loved symmetry. We like symmetry, but not when it's too symmetrical. So if it's too perfect, so like if you did, if you had say my face, and then you did the exactly the same with the other half of my face, and then you did a scientific experiment and you looked at it, people would think it was odd. There's something mismatched about it. You don't we don't want it in humans. Because it's not human. Is it human? If it's too perfect, we can rest human. Yeah. So why do we always want why are we always striving for perfection

The Song That Says It Plainly

SPEAKER_01 2:20

then? Yeah, it comes to mind, you know, that song, You're You're Only Human. I'm only human after all. You know, Ragabono. I'm only human. La la la. Yeah, it really makes me think about me to sing it. No, I mean my my voice is bad enough. I don't want to put you through that, but yeah. But why not? You see, that's where we want to be perfect. We're not singers, so just enjoy the tune. Yeah, I enjoyed the tune. Yeah, I l I just listened to that song recently, and um it's quite deep actually. It's about I think it's you know, it's about how he tries to, you know, people come to him with a series of problems, or he has a series of problems in his life. And you know, the the constant repetition is I'm only human after all. So there's only so much I can do. Exactly. I can't fix everything, I can't I can't I can't do everything that's asked of me if it's too much for me. No, because I'm only human. So do we do you think we have to place more importance on that then? I do. The fact that we're human, definitely sort of embrace it and be happy about it. Be happy that we are different to robots, be happy that we know what empathy is and we have all the kind of things that may hinder us, like feeling strong emotions. We might consider that to be like a weakness because we might burst out crying in a moment when we think, Oh, pull yourself together, this isn't the time to start crying. That's a strong emotion that comes comes into play because you're human, and so perhaps when things like this do happen to us, it would be it would be lovely really if we just thought to ourselves, well, I'm I'm only human. I'm not only, I'm human. That is why, because only I don't even like that. You know, it's like, oh, you're only human, you're human. That's already amazing. I think the fact that it's you're only human means that we have to embrace our humanity, yes, yes, yes, and the humane aspects of us. Yeah, the strong emotions, the the the perhaps losing our temper when it we're not supposed to lose it, you know, and losing our cool, whatever happens uh happens because we are human,

Robots, Care Work And Real Comfort

SPEAKER_01 4:40

absolutely. So we just look at us and say, That's a human. What do you mean? That's a different thing. Well, if we see somebody in a TIF instead of getting angry, we say, Well, that's a human. Yeah, you're right. That is gonna be tomorrow's world. There will be a difference between the artificial intelligence, like the androids, and you know, and I mean I know I've probably watched too many of these sci-fi things, but I really do think they're gonna become like like in nursing, for example, there's already a range of robots that can help to take care of the elderly, and they're already in practice in Japan, for example, and they they can take care of them very well, uh you know, like as very simple things, obviously simple mansions like cleaning and cleaning the bed and certain things, but whereas perhaps a human would be find that tiring, you know, the repetition of it or the the heavy duty work of it. So what are you saying then? I don't know, I've probably lost it. I don't know what I'm saying. I'm saying that uh Wait, are you saying as a humans we get sick of things? No, um yes, as a human, we're um we're not we're not quite as um not helping out here, she's just staring at me. I mean I'm I'm a human. I don't know, I've gone I've gone down this sci-fi thing where I remember this film or whatever it was I was watching, and now I've got a bit distracted in my mind. But yes, what I'm trying to say is that if you had to choice, sometimes having a choice between a human nurse and a robot nurse, for example, you would you would choose a human nurse if you would hope that the human would be kind and gentle, otherwise you'd go not if the human would be in a temper and update no exactly. So the human has its flaws, we have our flaws, we have our imperfections, and um and and obviously uh you know the androids and the robots probably well. I mean, hopefully they don't have that because that's like into a horror movie. We're going into different movies. No, I was remembering an episode of Modern Family where it was so funny where they got they got this intelligent fridge. I don't know if you remember, it was ages ago. No, and um they they bought this fridge, and in the end they were both talking to the fridge. You know, the fridge was saying, No, I think you need a cocktail now. Would you like me to to order one? Would you like me to prepare one for you like give you the suggestions? And everyone was talking to this um to this fridge and getting comfort from comfort from it. So I was thinking maybe AI can give you comfort in the future, you know, that will be something that perhaps will come along. Well, I think it will be able to give you comfort because it already does in so many ways, but it does, yeah. Um I don't think that's what we this this this episode really is about the fact that we have to accept our imperfections as humans and embrace them. Yes,

When Imperfections Become Strength

SPEAKER_01 7:55

thank you. Let's get back along the line. Because if we don't, that's when we get into trouble. When we try and be superhuman or be like artificial intelligence, we get into trouble because we're not that. And we have but just as we have our imperfections, our imperfections can be perfections, as we see in art. Art that's created by artificial intelligence has not had doesn't have the same depth and meaning as someone that's maybe you know painted it themselves, a human that's painted it, because they have a whole load of different thought processes that of course wouldn't come to mind that for artificial intelligence, even though it is getting better and better. So, what would you advise that we have to remember the fact that I think we do, and we have to like like embrace it and be happy about it. So if we see our partners firing up and thinking, yeah, that's a nice thing, you know. I'm not obviously not if they're abusive or uh violent or anything, but I'm just talking about if they have a little moment when they get upset about something, you have to acknowledge that we are human and that that it's okay to get upset or fired up about something, or to feel overwhelmed

Triggers, Family Pressure And Boundaries

SPEAKER_01 9:05

or anxious. Um there's so many strong emotions that we can feel as humans. And if there is a part of our personality that we we aren't comfortable with because we think it's like over the top. So, like if we think that, for instance, that we may get really fired up if what after we've had a drink, well, maybe we can you know, we can think tweak it, yeah. We can tweak it and and say, Okay, I'm gonna drink a little bit less and I'm not gonna drink because I don't like that aspect of my personality that comes out when I've been drinking, or whatever it is, or if you know triggered, yeah, you get triggered by a friend that goes down the road, you know, that starts saying, Well, you know, why haven't you got a partner yet? Or why haven't you got your house yet? A friend or a family member, because some people can trigger you, can't they? Yes, yeah. Humans are subject to triggers, and that's one of the things about being human. We'll keep putting that knife in the wound if you have someone, if you know someone that does that to you, you know, maybe just choose to stay away from them for a bit. Well, I think once you understand that they trigger you, it helps a lot. You know, you could say, Oh, way, you know, that's one of my triggers. I have to go prepared to see them, or if they just appear from nowhere, you can always, you know, sort of say, Oh, I've got I'm actually really busy now and go off somewhere if you know you're going to be triggered by them. Because, you know, obviously you you don't always have a perfect answer for them, especially if you feel they're provoking you in some way, like what you were saying. It's kind of some sort of then they're not provoking they're not doing it on purpose, it's not millions. What they want for you. What they want to selfish so that they project that wanting they have for your life onto you when it's anything to do with you, really. No, it's what they want for you. Yes, it's their business, it's not your business. It's not your business, yes. It's not your business. No, but it but it intertwines, doesn't it? Especially when it's family members or loved ones. Family friend, yeah, or uh someone that you're really close to, it can intertwine more than if it's well that's being human once again, isn't it? You know, what putting your wants onto somebody somebody else. We want to do that as humans. Because we think we love them. Yeah, and we want we love them. Yeah, but I think really it's all coming from the own eye. It's because they want or or you want, or I want the you to be happy, I want you to get this so that you will be happy. That's very common if you actually listen to what people say. It's I want to be happy because I'm not. Well, for example, the case of when you know your parents or you, you know, someone they're pushing you to have a kid, for example, to start a family. What's the ultimate they want to have grandchildren? They want. So it's it's a it's a desire, it's a want for to pass on the genes. It can be a natural desire, but it's it's also something that perhaps you don't want at this moment in your life, but but they want it. It's their want, not yours. It's their desire. So it's a bit tricky, isn't it? If it's not your want, exactly. You have to understand that you're not gonna give. You shouldn't give. If it's not something you want, we're getting in a very we're being very human on this podcast, aren't we? It's not like we're getting mumbled and fumbled. This is not this is not programmed. We just said we're gonna be talking about being human, and we thought, right, and now this is us being human, and with all our flaws and a normal conversation, it's a normal

Anxiety, Independence And Needing Support

SPEAKER_01 13:10

conversation, yeah. And and that's what it's like to be human. Well, that's where they take you, these normal, they're messy, they're messy, you get tired, you get stressed, you have strong emotions, you can feel anxious, and you think, what's wrong with me? You know, like you really want to get it together. I mean, I don't know if you've ever had those times when you think, just snap out of it, for God's sake. Just be, just be, you know, come on, and yeah, one thing is being brave, but sometimes you can't be that brave because you're humans. You don't feel overwhelming. You don't want to be brave. Well, yeah, that's it. It's all part you want a human help. You need support. Yes, as humans, we do need a lot of support from other humans. We think we don't, that's a problem now. That's the difference between us and AI, I think. And I think that's the problem with today's society and some cultures like the where we are, that we think that we think that we can be more independent than we really are cut out to be. And we're not independent at all, are we? Well, no, and I think that's what's causing major depression, major anxiety, major everything, really. The fact that we have to feel as if we have to be perfect and be so independent. Do everything by yourself. Do everything, we don't depend on ourselves. If you just think about how society was before, you would find a a spouse and then you would depend on each other. Now you have to be independent. Yeah, you're not allowed to depend on anywhere else. Well, you have to be independent. That's what's encouraging. I mean, financially is definitely financially and emotionally. They say you have to be emotionally independent for yourself to find someone. Well, yes, yeah, because you don't want to be needy. Because you don't want to be needy, so you have to be independent. So it all comes down. There's a lot of pressure on the side. It's a lot of pressure, you're right, yeah. Everything and whole, like whole. But if we think a human, are humans whole? They're flawed. They might have, you know, it might be like the fruit. I picked some fruit from our garden, it had all holes in it, it was pecked yuck. Okay. Yeah, but you can still eat some. Some animal I'd had to go in. But you could it still eat some. Did you eat some of it? Was good? Is that what you're trying to say? Yes, I understand that. Yeah. Some of it was okay. We may have our holes and our and our flaws, but hey, you know, we're natural, we're organic, we're human. We're okay. I mean, we're still we're still desirable. Yes, people still want us, even though we may have a few holes here and there, yeah. Or being pecked at by the world. We've been through bad times. We've been picked up by life. By life, yeah, that's just life. We weather a storm. We've weathered many storms. Yes, that's true. As humans, we weather. And as we weather the storms, we grow stronger. Some of us don't, some of us grow weaker, which is also human. But from that weakness, with others, how with other people, how with the support, with the support, we can gain strength. We need to find a support group. But we must remember that as humans are humanity and accept that we're weak many times. You're right, that and that we need friends and we need connections. We must accept that you need help a lot. And it's difficult sometimes to accept, isn't it? Well, yeah, because we think, no, I should be, I'm an adult, I should be able to do that. Why can't I just go on my own or do that by myself? Yeah, it's so typical, isn't it? Why is everything so hard? Why am I always so tired? Why do I always feel as if I have to be a certain size or I have to um use flash, you're human. Yeah, I have to have a certain amount of possessions by the time I'm 30 or whatever. Oh, come on. Well, you know why? Yeah, I think you've really hit it on the nail there. Yeah, so it's just it's typical, isn't it? I think it is. All having to do everything by yourself, uh having to be so strong, so independent. No,

Weathering Storms And Staying Connected

SPEAKER_01 17:20

you don't. Because uh, if you think about gender roles as well, before it was the males used to suffer a lot because they had like all the financial, maybe in some in some parts of the world, they had all the financial burden on them, and the women had all the the the emotional burden, but they had to be like emotional support for their male partners and for themselves. But it wasn't like one person had to have everything, it was like more shared, and it was it wasn't equal and it wasn't a good thing, and we've moved away from that, which I believe is very good, yeah, because we are as women and as men, men are allowed to be more emotional, women are allowed to be more financially independent, so we're more equal. But I think within that we have to like now we have to we're going on to the next step where we have to be like more rounded, but we have to acknowledge that we have these, we have been pecked up, we have these holes within us, yeah. That you know, so we so we can help each other, we can help each other in an in an all organic and human way human way to become better than we were before. Absolutely.

Share Your Thoughts And Follow Along

SPEAKER_01 18:35

So let us know what you think about this humanity, about being human, feeling that you are human, and it comes with with all its blessings as well, with all our creativity, with all our imagination, with all our beauty, with the ability to feel absolutely let us know in the comments and please do come and watch us on YouTube, and please do subscribe. Yes, subscribe. Follow us wherever you are and give us a shout out. Come and see us on Instagram at get real with the English Listors or at the English Listors and on Twitter too with the same handles. See you soon. Bye, bye bye, bye bye. Lots of love from the English sisters. Bye.