Perfectionists never feel good enough about themselves. And these perfectionism quotes will help you stress less and love you for who you are.
Great attention to detail, never needing time to rest, and high standards that only seem to go higher – the traits of a perfectionist seem to be a combination of ambition and good work ethics. But anything excessive might cause problems.
I never thought of myself as a perfectionist until I got my first job. I was assigned an important, and it turned out to be a success. So I began taking on more and more responsibilities.
And I thought to myself, “they expect a lot from me, and I better not fail them.” So instead of making priorities and delegate, I took on everything myself. Asking for help was not an option because it would contaminate my image as a high performer. And soon, working hours got longer and longer, and my physical and mental health took a toll. Finally, my manager noticed and forced me to take sick leave.
It was not until she stepped up to stop me from overworking that I realized how much a perfectionist I was. But my perfectionism doesn’t come from the passion for the job. Instead, it is rooted in fear, the fear of rejection, the fear of being seen as incapable. And what I learned from the experience is that the more I achieve, the higher the standard becomes. So I would never be enough.
Are you a perfectionist? Signs and traits of perfectionism
For me, perfectionism reflects in my desire to be an over-achiever at work. But it comes in different shapes or forms. And your perfectionism may look like this:
- You attach your worth to your performance and achievements.
- You believe that you either win or lose, and there’s no middle ground.
- The fear of not being liked makes it hard to say no to others.
- You procrastinate when you don’t have every step figured out.
- Missing a workout or eating one unhealthy meal stress you out.
- You don’t ask for help and show your vulnerability.
- You don’t tolerate mistakes of yourself or others.
- Small problems in a relationship sometimes turn into huge fights or even breakups.
- You stay in your comfort zone to avoid embarrassment or failure.
Perfectionism, like other traits of our personality, is not a flaw. However, perfectionists might want to “fix” their perfectionism to be perfect. Or they might pride themselves as a perfectionist.
So instead of forcing yourself to get rid of perfectionism, you can make small adjustments and challenge your self-critics. Here’s a list of perfectionism quotes that will guide you along the way. They will help you see your worth, stop being so hard on yourself, and embrace your imperfections.
Perfectionism quotes to embrace your imperfections
What perfectionism really is
Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough – that we should try again.
– Julia Cameron
Reminders to let go of perfectionism
It’s ok to:
Not get it right for the first time
Be imperfect
Learn from trial and error
Not get everything done every time
Take a break if needed
Perfectionism quotes to embrace your flaws
We need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here.
– Anne Lamott
There is no perfection, only beautiful versions of brokenness.
– Shannon L. Alder
The difference between perfectionism and excellence
Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?”
Perfectionism is other-focused: “What will they think?
– Brené Brown
Read also: 46 Brené Brown quotes to live unapologetically
Perfectionists strive to never make mistakes and are excruciatingly hard on themselves when they do. Excellence is striving high but offering yourself grace for mistakes made and things you don’t yet know.
– Sharon Martin
Excellency is a value. Perfectionism is insecurity.
– Unknown
Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.
– Harriet B. Braiker
Perfectionism comes from fear
At its root, perfectionism isn’t really about a deep love of being meticulous. It’s about fear – fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure.
– Michael Law
Perfectionism and procrastination
Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do it.
– Paul Arden
A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.
– John Henry Newman
Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.
– Harry Truman
Perfection is not a standard. It’s an obstacle.
– Unknown
Comparison and perfectionism
Perfectionism measures our beginner’s work against the finished work of masters.
– Julia Cameron
The reason why you will never be perfect
When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target.
– Geoffrey Fisher
Don’t sacrifice happiness chasing the unattainable
If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.
– Leo Tolstoy
Let go of perfectionism so you can really grow
The ultimate reward is not a gold medal but the path itself.
– George Leonard
To be a learner, you’ve got to be willing to be a fool.
– George Leonard
Perfectionism in relationship
When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.
– Donald Miller
How strong our relationships would be if we could see and respect that we are all perfectly imperfect for our journey.
– Steve Maraboli
We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
– Sam Keen
True love is found in imperfections
A true relationship is two imperfect people refusing to give up on each other.
– Unknown
This thing about you that you think is your flaw – it’s the reason I’m falling in love with you.
– Colleen Hoover
Real love doesn’t meet you at your best. It meets you in your mess.
– J.S.Park
Appreciate the possibilities of life
Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.
– Mandy Hale
Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.
– Brené Brown
Be your perfectly imperfect self
Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.
– Brené Brown
Imperfection is beautiful; madness is genius, and silly is better than boring,
– Unknown
Real girls aren’t perfect. Perfect girls aren’t real.
– Harry Styles
Embrace the glorious mess that you are.
– Elizabeth Gilbert
Making mistakes is courageous
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
– Albert Einstein
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, you’re doing something.
– Neil Gaiman
Embrace your imperfections and stop criticizing yourself
You are imperfect, permanently, and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.
– Amy Bloom
You’ve been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.
– Louise Hay
There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself, comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.
– Steve Maraboli
Read also: 28 Inspiring body positivity quotes to love you for who you are
You are not a mistake. You are not a problem to be solved. But you won’t discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming and caging and fearing yourself.
– Geneen Roth
Self-compassion over perfection
Robots don’t rest, don’t make mistakes, don’t need to deal with emotions. You are not a robot. Stop treating yourself like one.
Focus on progress, not perfection.
– Bill Phillips
Which of these perfectionism quotes hits you?
Leave a comment down below or tag @_OurMindfulLife on Instagram to share.
Read also: 45 Empowering self-love quotes to love yourself whole-heartedly