Perfectionism is defined as the refusal to accept anything but excellence, functioning as a motivator for people to improve themselves. However, this same attention to detail is what can cause people to lose their sense of self-worth. 

Instead of reflecting on and learning from the mistakes they make , perfectionists focus their entire personality around those mistakes, destroying their self-esteem. This has increased debate on how the desire of faultlessness can actually control and make up one’s identity. 

There are two different types of perfectionism: The first is self oriented perfectionism, where an individual puts unrealistic expectations on themselves; The second, social perfectionism, is when an individual’s standards come from outside influences. 

“I think perfectionism usually comes from pressure around us and those that we know,” junior Tony Moreno said. “Social media also makes us really insecure and it makes us anxious which leads a majority of people to feel the need to be ‘perfect’ and have this image that isn’t really true to their character. 

Social media is a major part of regular daily living. Regular content in the forms of videos and images highlight the most “perfect” parts of people’s lives. By only showing their best moments, social media can make the desire for perfection stronger.

“On a day-to-day basis, we always see these influencers and as a society, we base ourselves off of social media influencers and try to reach that sense of perfection,” senior Ghiada Ferraer said. “I feel like social media increases perfectionism so much because of how common it is for people to want to be social media influencers and want to be exactly like them. 

While striving to be the best can have a healthy effect, as at its core it is the tendency to be responsible and do things well, it can still be detrimental. When worth is dependent on unrealistic standards, people fall apart.

“To make yourself a better person and get into new habits is healthy,” sophomore Miguel Guzman said. “But being obsessed with becoming perfect isn’t. Nothing is ever perfect. And having the obsession of becoming perfect is always putting you on the grind and making you stressed out, making you feel like you’re not of worth. It can really lower your self-esteem and how you view yourself and other people.” 

Obsessing and ironing out every little mistake takes a toll on one’s sense of worth, esteem and personality. People are pushed into becoming or engaging in certain actions that don’t represent their true selves, such as changing their values just to fit in. 

“Instead of trying to be perfect, just strive for excellence. Because none of us are perfect, we’re not going to achieve perfection, so it can really hold us back from our goals,” Freshmen Studies Teacher Kimberly Caipa said. “And a lot of people who have that perfectionist mindset won’t try a lot of new things because they’re afraid of not being perfect. When we fail at things, it creates a lot of growth in our character, so if you are comparing yourself you definitely are not being your authentic self.” 

Do you ever feel pressured to be perfect? by Joy Ryan

There are multiple reasons why a person may feel pressured to be perfect, which often stems from deep-rooted fear of failure, judgement or unworthiness. For example, students have the fear of failing a class or not being liked by others. These pressures can ultimately change the way a person thinks and create a harsh inner critic. 

“I’ve had to adjust and in some cases temper my behavior in order to fit in and be liked by others,” Communications Teacher Vivian Evans said. “It’s not surprising, I’m a trans woman and I feel that pressure every day to try and conform to western expectations of beauty and femininity, but I also am human like anybody else. I want to look my best. I want to act my best. I want to do my best.”

Self-worth is always tied into the failures at being perfect. There will always be a fear of being viewed as less, but it’s important to understand that you don’t need to let perfectionism hold you back. This constant need to be perfect actually damages the success that is accomplished and diminishes the victory of it, as “perfect is the enemy of good”.

“The standard that if you’re not the best at something, then you’re the worst is something that I don’t agree with. And the same thing for beauty, that if you’re not the most perfect looking, that’s all we’re brought out to be,” freshman Eevri Pollak said. “ [However], there’s its own beauty of being in the middle or almost there, or not being there at all and it all has its own place. You should always know that where you are on its own is amazing.”