Pursuit of Freedom

Overcoming Perfectionism

Kaley Lemery Season 1 Episode 2

Key Takeaways

Perfectionism isn’t the same as striving for excellence.

·       While aiming high can be healthy, perfectionism is often rooted in fear. Fear of making mistakes, being judged, or not feeling worthy enough. Recognize when you’re pushing yourself from a place of fear rather than growth.

Your worth is not tied to your performance.

·       The belief that you must be perfect to be loved, valued, or accepted is a lie. Your value comes from who you are, not what you achieve. Let go of the need to prove your worth through constant performance.

Pushing harder doesn’t always lead to better results.

·       Just like the Chinese finger trap, sometimes the harder you push, the more stuck you feel. Learn to pause, relax, and release the pressure you put on yourself. It’s in those moments of surrender that true progress begins.

Unmet needs can often drive perfectionism.

·       Take time to reflect on what you’ve been trying to fill with perfectionism. Is it acceptance, love, or a sense of belonging? Identifying these needs is the first step to meeting them in healthier, more fulfilling ways.

Perfectionism stifles creativity and authenticity.

·       When you strive to meet unrealistic standards, you lose touch with your authentic self. Give yourself permission to explore, make mistakes, and discover what truly resonates with you.

You can step out of the roles you’ve been playing.

·       If you’ve been molding yourself to fit others’ expectations, it’s time to start living for yourself. Explore new interests, try new things, and reconnect with who you are at your core.

Rest is just as important as effort.

·       You don’t have to hustle your way through life. Learning to rest, relax, and trust the process can be the most powerful way to move forward with freedom and ease.

This is your life, and you should create one that feels true to you.

·       Let go of the pressure to be perfect for others and focus on what makes you happy. The life you create doesn’t need to impress anyone else, it just needs to feel right for you.

Take these steps one at a time and be kind to yourself as you work through them. Growth is messy, but embracing imperfection is where freedom and joy begin!

 

Disclaimer

***I am not a licensed mental health therapist or clinical counselor and everything I am sharing is knowledge through personal experience and or trial and error in my own healing journey. I am not diagnosing or prescribing anything to anyone through my words or stories that I am sharing in this podcast. All this information is meant to help draw awareness of these topics and shine light on the darkness in our lives. Do not try anything you do not feel comfortable with or that might cause you any form of physical, spiritual, or emotional pain without consulting a medical health professional. I am not responsible for anything that may come up during your personal inner healing journey and urge you to find a licensed mental health professional to help you dive into deeper pain or trauma. I am not responsible for your personal healing and encourage you to use this podcast simply as a resource and a place to start off your healing journey. ***

Resources

If you are looking for more resources to help you on your healing journey, please check out the Pursuit of Freedom companion workbooks that can be found here https://stan.store/PursuitofFreedom