Press

Local therapist Carrie Torn, who specializes in helping high achievers who struggle with anxiety and burnout, weighs in: “A piece of perfectionism that we tend to miss is the underlying fear of what other people think of us and a desire for approval. We strive for this impossible ideal of perfection to try and obtain a shield that we think will defend us against feeling judged, criticized or shamed. Our societal obsession with showing the world a ‘perfect’ version of ourselves, such as on social media, is driven by our human longing for connection and to be accepted, loved and praised by others.” Learning to accept ourselves as imperfect, Torn says, can allow us to let go of the weight of others’ opinions.