The Stupid Idea of Perfectionism | How High-Functioning Anxiety Kills Your Peace

Contact us by whatsapp on +447485622662- let us know what you think of this episode. Perfection is supposed to make us feel confident, but it often does the opposite: it keeps us stuck, second-guessing messages we already sent and replaying moments we cannot change. We dig into why that happens, why “perfect” is an imaginary finish line, and why chasing it can quietly amplify work stress, anxiety, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. If you’ve ever felt like life is one long performance review, you’re going to recognise yourself here. We share a real moment from behind the mic, including the truth about recording a first episode 31 times, and we ask the uncomfortable question underneath it: was that about making something better, or trying to prove something? From there, we dismantle the belief that perfection equals worthiness. We explore “moving goalposts,” borrowed self-esteem, and the exhausting habit of turning dinner, rest, relationships, and work into constant assessments. We also use a simple reality check from the natural world: growth and adaptation are normal, perfection is not. Then we shift into a calmer, more workable framework: growth. Confidence doesn’t arrive first; evidence arrives first, and confidence catches up as you take imperfect action and recover from mistakes. You’ll leave with practical experiments you can try today, including leaving one thing at good enough, doing an unexpected act of kindness, and swapping “Was I good enough?” for “What did I learn?” If this helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s stuck in the perfection loop, and leave a review so more people can find it. Where is perfection stealing your time right now?The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have a specific health concern or condition, please consult a qualified Healthcare professional for more details. Check out herguru dot uk forward slash disclaimersSupport the showIf this episode helped, please share it with someone who needs a calmer five minutes:https://followthepodcast.com/workstressanxietyIf you'd like to support the podcast, leaving a review genuinely helps other overwhelmed humans find it without having to survive another "10x your mindset" podcast first:https://lovethepodcast.com/workstressanxietyGot feedback, a question, or a future episode suggestion?https://podcastfeedback.com/workstressanxietyWork Stress Anxiety by ABGW is part of HerGuru Hypnotherapy and Coaching™ and grounded in the ABGW Method®.Calm first. Reality first. Then change.™Connect with Cheryl ParisLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylparis/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/abgwblogShared stories are anonymised.This podcast is provided for educational and self- reflective purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, workplace, or professional advice.Disclaimer:https://herguru.uk/disclaimers/© Cheryl Paris. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.