Perfectionism is not a pathology
Perfection is a paradox—you can never become perfect, and you already are perfect. A perfectionist in an adaptive mindset believes both those statements are true. A perfectionist in a maladaptive mindset believes both those statements are false.
Katherine Morgan Schafler • The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control
I believe that our creativity grows like sidewalk weeds out of the cracks between our pathologies—not from the pathologies themselves. But so many people think it’s the other way around. For this reason, you will often meet artists who deliberately cling to their suffering, their addictions, their fears, their demons. They worry that if they ever l
... See moreElizabeth Gilbert • Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
If there is such a thing as human perfection, it seems to emerge precisely from how we handle the imperfection that is everywhere, especially our own. – Richard Rohr
Perfection: Aristotelian concept of perfection as “potential fully actualized” ; as excellence in the exercise of one’s capacities and the realization of one’s carefully chosen ideals... human beings are fully actualised when they are functioning as builders.
Gena Gorlin • The quest for psychological perfection
perfection is an abstract concept. It takes an abstract mind to grasp its meaning and to cherish a vision that does not exist in the concrete world. Facility with abstraction is the sine qua non of giftedness; this quality differentiates the gifted from others throughout the lifespan.
Dr. Linda Silverman • Perfectionism: the Crucible of Giftedness
procrastination is not a character defect; rather, it is an attempt—albeit an unsatisfactory one—at coping with the often incapacitating fear of having our worth held up for judgment.
Neil Fiore • The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
Adler (1973) regarded perfectionism as an indispensable part of life, a striving to rise above feelings of dependency and helplessness. Understanding one’s personal power, for Adler, involved maximizing one’s abilities and using them for the good of society. Maslow (1971) equated the full realization of one’s potential with the absence of neurosis.
... See moreDr. Linda Silverman • Perfectionism: the Crucible of Giftedness
In actuality, perfectionism must be seen as a potent force capable of bringing intense pain, frustration and paralysis, or incredible satisfaction and creative contribution, depending upon how it is channeled. It has the potential to lead to professional fulfillment and spiritual development, but if the energy is diverted by self-doubt and lack of
... See moreDr. Linda Silverman • Perfectionism: the Crucible of Giftedness
stage 1: try to defeat perfectionism thru sheer force of will
stage 2: try to heal perfectionism by doing a bunch of therapeutic inner child shit (also psychedelics)
stage 3: fully accept perfectionism, relate to it healthily, and watch it become a source of unimaginable power
Try to make something perfect and it will remain imperfect. Do it naturally and it is always perfect. Nature is perfect; effort is imperfect. So whenever you are doing something too much, you are destroying.