CONSTANTLY FEELING 'NEVER ENOUGH' IS A PUNISHING WAY TO GO THROUGH LIFE
STRIVING for perfection is generally seen as something to be celebrated. Many people believe it’s necessary for success.
Psychology professor Thomas Curran thought so too – until he realised it was what led to his struggles with anxiety, debilitating panic attacks and exhaustion.
He decided to be less competitive and “to stop trying to please other people” and started looking at why perfectionism is so entrenched in our culture. Rather than it leading to success, he says, it is in fact counterproductive and leads to a huge amount of stress.
In his new book, The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, he looks at how perfectionism can erode our wellbeing and make us more vulnerable to anxiety, depression and suicide.
