In a world that often celebrates achievement and success, the pursuit of perfection can become an unhealthy obsession. Perfectionism, characterized by setting impossibly high standards and a constant fear of failure, is associated with stress, anxiety, and other health and relationship problems (Hewitt, Flett, & Mikail 2017). An alternative approach is mindfulness. By embracing the present and accepting ourselves, we can counteract the negative effects of perfectionism.

Although striving for perfection can drive success, it can also have a downside.

Mindfulness involves being fully present in the current moment and tuning in to all aspects of ourselves, our surroundings, and our experiences. It’s a natural antidote to perfectionism, which keeps us ruminating about the past or the future. We worry about our performance. We anticipate embarrassment or rejection if we aren’t perfect. We can’t enjoy the present........

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