15 Mind-Bending Habits of Perfectionists That’ll Make You Question Your Sanity (And Maybe Your Zodiac Sign Too)
Added on July 16, 2025 inASTROLOGY CARDS
Popular
Numerology Meets Netflix: Get Your Daily Dose of Cosmic Cinema Suggestions Powered By Our AI Astrologer. Find The Show Or Movie You Were Meant To See!
Then Join Our FREE Newsletter To Watch Your Choice Of Movies And Shows For FREE Plus Get The Latest Entertainment News And Updates!
Ever catch yourself bragging, “I’m a superhero — totally superhuman!”? I mean, who wouldn’t want to think that? But have you ever paused long enough, maybe between Netflix binges, to really ask: what does it actually mean to be superhuman? Spoiler alert—it’s not just about having your life perfectly lined up like a row of avalanche-proof dominoes. True superhumans are the folks who everyone leans on because, well, they can handle it all, and they’re on a quest that won’t take “no” for an answer. Sounds pretty fab, right?
But here’s the kicker — what if your “superhuman” swagger is just a high-octane version of perfectionism? That relentless itch for flawlessness that keeps you wide-eyed at 3 a.m., terrified of messing up. Today’s cosmic vibe makes you wanna question: are you the fearless conqueror of the stars or a perfectionist trapped in a never-ending loop of self-critique and impossible standards? Because, honey, chasing perfection often means putting yourself on a pedestal so high you can’t even see the ground.
In this whirlwind, your superpower might just turn into a kryptonite of stress, loneliness, and that sneaky imposter syndrome. Let’s peel back the cape and see what’s really going on beneath that polished exterior with 15 telltale signs of a pathologically driven perfectionist — because sometimes being “superhuman” is just code for “human, with a few too many expectations.”
It may sound so great to say, “I am a superhero — I’m superhuman!” But is it? Have you really looked into what it means to be a superhuman?
You see, superhumans have all their ducks in a row all the time. Everybody can lean on them because they can handle it, and they don’t need help in return. Also, they make the impossible possible because they don’t take “no” for an answer, and they are looking relentlessly for the answer they are seeking.
Advertisement
Instead of calling yourself a superhuman, you might refer to yourself as a perfectionist. But even though being a part-time “superhuman” gives you confidence, a sense of worth, and independence, you can’t make any mistakes because of the fear of failure.
Perfectionism is the relentless pursuit of flawlessness and the setting of unattainably high standards, often accompanied by self-criticism and fear of failure. Additional signs of perfectionism can include being overly critical of your mistakes, procrastinating on tasks, having difficulty accepting constructive criticism, and having a constant sense of never feeling good enough.
Advertisement
Being a pathologically driven perfectionist can negatively affect you in numerous ways, including increased stress and anxiety, procrastination, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and burnout. So if you notice any of the signs of perfectionism below, it may be time to take a step back.
You feel that you can never fail, make mistakes, or let others down. If or when you do, you will beat yourself up and feel that you are not good at or for anything. So, your view then becomes very black and white: It is or it is not, and you fill in the blanks.
Ground Picture / Shutterstock
Advertisement
As a perfectionist, you rely only on yourself, which means that you don’t trust others, not for help, input, opinion, or sincerity, and you subconsciously look for the hidden agenda somebody may have.
With control, you want everything to be perfect, and you put too much pressure on yourself. If it ends up not being perfect, it fails, and you don’t handle failure well. Things that are not in your control will drive you crazy, and unexpected events will throw you off kilter, which interferes with your well-being.
Maladaptive perfectionists often experience a deep-seated fear of failure and judgment, leading them to believe that by controlling every aspect of their lives, they can prevent negative outcomes and ensure success. A 2012 study explained that this drive for control can manifest in setting unrealistic standards, over-analysis, and procrastination.
Being a perfectionist 24/7 is hard work, and it seems you can’t take a break because you are on call all the time. Not only are you in charge of your life, but others start to lean on you, regardless of whether you can take them on or not. In their mind, you are the go-to person when something goes wrong in their lives, and you will fix it.
Advertisement
Your expectation can be that you find that others have to be superhuman as well, and, if not, they are “weak.” Or, others view you as this superior, out-of-this-world person that takes on the responsibility of the world. Both expectations are very tiring for all parties.
When you need a shoulder to lean on, you find that you dismiss a lot of people as your confidant because you feel like they can’t understand you, and therefore can’t support you. By isolating yourself, you cut off all the support that could be out there for you, and you experience feelings of loneliness.
Perfectionists often fear that revealing flaws or failing to meet impossibly high standards will lead to rejection and criticism from others, both real and perceived. One study indicated that self-oriented perfectionists are more prone to loneliness, as self-criticism and fear of failure can lead to social avoidance.
Advertisement
People will either come to you for advice, or they will shun you, keeping you out of their social circle because you make them feel inferior. This is often done unintentionally, but your need for everything to be “perfect” makes you come off as a know-it-all.
Being “on” all the time will take a toll on your health. Never giving yourself a break means it’s not so uncommon that you might develop health issues down the line that may shorten your lifespan and your quality of life.
Perfect Wave / Shutterstock
Advertisement
Often, perfectionists put others before themselves and don’t have a great practice of self-care. Even when the cost is high, they do this just so they don’t disappoint others and be seen as a failure.
As good as taking charge of your life is to become a well-rounded human being, you need others in your life. You need others to learn from, collaborate with, and lean on when you have a difficult moment. We all encounter difficult moments once in a while, but nobody can escape them.
Individuals driven by an unhealthy need to be flawless often find themselves trapped in a cycle where their pursuit of unrealistic standards comes at the expense of their well-being, according to a 2022 study.
Perfectionists have a strong fear of failure and view mistakes or wrong decisions as personal failures. People who struggle with this often have an intense aversion to making mistakes or falling short of their own impossibly high standards.
Advertisement
This fear of failure can paralyze you, leading to a reluctance to take risks or pursue new opportunities, as you prioritize avoiding failure over personal growth and exploration.
You often second-guess your choices, fearing that making the wrong decision will reflect negatively on your competence or character. Perfectionists tend to overanalyze and overthink every decision, weighing all possible outcomes and potential risks.
Perfectionists often rely heavily on external validation and approval to feel a sense of worth or accomplishment. You may constantly seek praise and recognition from others, basing your self-esteem on meeting the expectations of others rather than your internal standards.
Advertisement
This reliance on external validation can lead to a constant need for acceptance and a fear of disappointing others. People who seek perfection often believe their value depends on their achievements and meeting others’ expectations. Research has suggested that for some, perfectionism can be a coping mechanism for underlying issues like low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression, which can be rooted in early life experiences or attachment styles.
Perfectionists may avoid taking on new challenges or pursuing opportunities outside their comfort zone. The fear of not being able to achieve perfection or the possibility of making mistakes can hinder your willingness to explore new areas, try new activities, or take on projects that you perceive as challenging.
Avoiding taking risks can limit your personal and professional growth and prevent you from fully experiencing new and rewarding experiences.
Perfectionists often compare themselves to others, seeking validation and reassurance about their worth and accomplishments. If this sounds like you, you may feel a sense of competitiveness and measure your success based on how you stack up against others.
Advertisement
Constant comparison may fuel feelings of inadequacy and intensify your perfectionistic tendencies as you strive to outperform or measure up to an idealized standard set by others.
You often struggle to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Even when you accomplish something significant, you downplay your success or quickly shift your focus to perceived flaws or areas for improvement.
You’re essentially robbing yourself of the joy and satisfaction that comes with recognizing your accomplishments, leading to a perpetual cycle of feeling never quite “good enough.”
So, what can you do to let go of your perfectionist tendencies? First, make a priority list. What is important to you? Write that down. Cultivate the list and let go of the things that didn’t make the list, because guess what? They are not important to you.
Advertisement
Next, take time for relaxation. Meditation, sports, yoga, movies, fishing, and hunting all count as long as they relax you. Finally, and most importantly, ask for help. It’s a way of showing trust in the ability of others to be of service to you, and it gives you the feeling you don’t have to do it all alone.
Ellen Nyland is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) trained by Coaching Training Institute in San Rafael in California, since 2008, and the author of Life is Great Even When it Sucks.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
', 'https%3A%2F%2Ficonoclasmic.com%2F15-mind-bending-habits-of-perfectionists-thatll-make-you-question-your-sanity-and-maybe-your-zodiac-sign-too%2F')){kind=link}