The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism: Why You Never Feel Good Enough with Ellen Hendriksen

The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism: Why You Never Feel Good Enough with Ellen Hendriksen

In this episode of The One You Feed, host Eric Zimmer chats with Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Enough, about the often misunderstood topic of perfectionism. Perfectionism isn't about being perfect; it's about never feeling good enough. This episode dives deep into how perfectionism can disguise itself as positive traits like being hardworking or detail-oriented but can quickly tip into self-criticism and self-doubt.

Hendriksen explains that perfectionists often struggle with over-evaluating their performance, leading to an unhealthy conflation of self-worth and achievements. The conversation touches on how different people handle mistakes, with examples ranging from Mr. Rogers' grace to Walt Disney's obsessive attention to detail. The episode also explores the emotional roots of procrastination, debunking the myth that it's merely a time management issue. Instead, it's about managing emotions and the distress caused by setting impossibly high standards.

Hendriksen shares practical advice on how to manage perfectionism, including the importance of self-compassion and accepting imperfections as part of the human experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels they are constantly falling short or overwhelmed by their own expectations.