I grew up thinking I was failing if I wasn’t perfect.  I would not try things if I didn’t think I could do it correctly, the first time I tried it.  I put myself down when I failed.  I felt shame.  I learned self-deprecation as a defense mechanism.  I worried far too much about being perfect.  Throw in my religious upbringing with “you are not good enough” and perfectionism drove me to some dark places.  I’m sure I have said some things to my kids I wish I could take back about being perfect.  I just want them to be them.

Brene Brown has some good things to think about on perfectionism.  I’ll share and shut up.

http://catalystconference.com/read/want-to-be-happy-stop-trying-to-be-perfect/

Grace and peace.