Why Perfectionism Isn’t Your Superpower: How to Let Go and Reclaim Your Life

Perfectionism is NOT your Superpower

Perfectionism. It sounds like a superpower, right? Like being able to get everything just right all the time is some kind of secret sauce to success. But what if I told you perfectionism isn’t your superpower—it’s actually a hidden villain? Instead of pushing you forward, it holds you back, adds unnecessary stress, and drains your joy.

I’ve lived this firsthand. For years, I believed that anything less than an “A” wasn’t good enough. Not just in high school, but all the way through nursing school, my BSN, and my MSN. My friends used to tease me, but I took it seriously—if it’s not perfect, it’s a failure. That meant sleepless nights, constant stress, and no room for error. I couldn’t accept less than an A because I tied my worth to those grades. Sound familiar?

So let’s talk about why perfectionism isn’t the superpower we’ve all been tricked into believing it is.

The Illusion of Perfection

Here’s the thing: perfection doesn’t exist. (I know, shocker!) Yet, we keep chasing it like it’s some holy grail. But here’s the kicker—it’s a mirage. You’ll never reach it. And that’s okay. Perfectionism doesn’t just hold us to impossible standards; it makes us feel like we’ll never be enough. I used to think that if everything was flawless, I’d finally feel satisfied. But spoiler alert: it never happens. You just keep moving the goalposts.

Why It’s Exhausting (And Totally Unnecessary)

Being a perfectionist means living in a constant state of tension. There’s no room for mistakes, no space to breathe. And let’s be real, it’s exhausting. Think back to the last time you were stressed out because something didn’t go exactly as planned. Did it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

One of the biggest pitfalls is that perfectionism keeps us from even trying. We procrastinate, afraid that what we produce won’t be flawless. Or we take on way too much, thinking if we can just do it all, we’ll somehow feel worthy. It’s like being stuck on a hamster wheel that’s going nowhere fast.

Losing Yourself to Perfectionism

I didn’t realize it at the time, but my need for straight A’s was a form of perfectionism that kept me from truly enjoying the experience of learning. I wasn’t celebrating my accomplishments, I was just chasing the next thing, hoping it would finally give me that sense of worth. Spoiler: it didn’t.

Perfectionism robs you of joy, spontaneity, and connection. It sneaks into your personal life too, where you start feeling like you have to be “perfect” in relationships, at work, even in the way you present yourself to the world. You lose sight of who you really are beneath all the pressure to be flawless.

The Real Superpower: Embracing Imperfection

Here’s the good news: the way out of perfectionism isn’t about lowering your standards, it’s about redefining them. It’s about recognizing that being human means being imperfect—and that’s where the beauty lies.

When I finally started letting go of my perfectionist tendencies, I learned that I didn’t have to be perfect to be successful or happy. Turns out, doing things “good enough” was…well, good enough. I started setting boundaries and stopped measuring my self-worth by impossible standards.

So, what can you do to start letting go of perfectionism?

An Actionable Takeaway: The “Good Enough” Challenge

This week, I want to invite you to try something radical: aim for “good enough” instead of perfect. Whether it’s in a project, a conversation, or even just how you show up in your daily life, give yourself permission to do your best without the pressure to get everything perfect.

Here’s how:

1. Pick one area in your life—maybe work, a hobby, or something personal.

2. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Instead of saying, “I need to get this 100% right,” say, “I’m going to do my best and let that be enough.”

3. Celebrate the wins—even the small ones. Finished something that wasn’t perfect but still got the job done? Take a moment to acknowledge it. You did it.

And here’s the twist—most of the time, “good enough” is good enough. Spoiler: no one notices the tiny imperfections we obsess over. In 10 years, you’re not going to look back and wish you had stressed more over getting that PowerPoint absolutely perfect, right?

Final Thoughts

Let’s be real, perfectionism isn’t the badge of honor we think it is. It’s sneaky and often leads us down a path of exhaustion, stress, and self-doubt. So, what if we gave ourselves permission to embrace imperfection? To do our best, knowing that our worth isn’t tied to flawless performance, but to the effort, growth, and authenticity we bring to the table?

Perfectionism isn’t your superpower, but embracing your perfectly imperfect self? That’s where your real strength lies.

If you’re curious to learn more, I invite you to listen to Episode 13 of my podcast Selfless to Self-YES!, where I dig even deeper into the traps of perfectionism and offer practical ways to start breaking free.

And if you’re feeling called to explore how perfectionism might be holding you back in your own life, I’d love to chat. Let’s have a conversation about your unique challenges and how you can begin reclaiming your self-worth. You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute alignment call by clicking here—I'd love to support you on your journey!

With gratitude,

Kandy