Recently, I read “The Perfection Trap: The Power Of Good Enough In A World That Always Wants More” from Thomas Curran, and I must admit, it left a profound impact on me. It resonated deeply because it brought to light a problem I’ve struggled with for years, whether consciously or not: perfectionism.
If you think perfectionism is just about “having perfectly aligned cutlery,” you’re mistaken. While that might be true in extreme cases, it’s about something much more significant – why we do (or don’t do) things, how we perceive ourselves and others, and how we view failure. These days, failure is often romanticized as a “lesson,” but it’s simply a normal, inevitable part of life.
In reading the book, I realized that this is a real issue for me. Upon reflecting on the past decade, I’ve often asked myself: Why am I taking on this challenge? Who am I trying to impress? Why can’t I celebrate my successes without immediately seeking the next hurdle? It turns out, much of this stems from unresolved issues that have impacted my self-esteem to the point where it sometimes leads to irrational behavior and unnecessary losses.
On a brighter note, a lot has changed in the past two years. Expanding my family and welcoming a child into my life has shifted my perspective. I’ve learned to let go of certain things – otherwise, I’d go crazy trying to keep everything spotless and worrying about material trivialities. You simply can’t function that way. You have to accept that some tasks won’t get done, and that certain things will remain average – and that’s perfectly okay.
The author also highlights that perfectionism has many roots, with one of the biggest being our growth-driven economy. It’s hard to disagree with that. Despite living in relative comfort and stability, we’re constantly chasing something, which leaves us feeling insecure and unstable. We’ve come to glorify burnout and overwork as virtues. Social media and business celebrities don’t help either, often portraying an unattainable ideal while facing their own psychological struggles. We create problems for ourselves by this endless chase, only to then seek remedies like meditation. It’s absurd.
I highly recommend this book, especially to those who feel “constantly busy” and take pride in it, or those experiencing doubts about their current situation. I also recommend it to families of such individuals – it may help you understand certain behaviors and support loved ones in overcoming this condition. Yes, condition – because perfectionism is never healthy
The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough – Quick Review
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