“Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.”
This is one of those books I wish I had as a young girl. Perhaps I wouldn’t have picked up on all of the intricacies and layers then that are understandable only with development and years of self-discovery; however, this may have helped to lay a neater foundation for decisions based on trust rather than fear. I aim to live a life without regret, because I adore the life I have built. However, as a recovering perfectionist, I can look back at all of the metaphorical forks in my life road and see where I took the safer route.
“Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown skillfully weaves lessons in anthropology, psychology, and sociology with her own stories and reflections. As a woman I deeply admire, Brene Brown would probably have to bomb horribly for me to give her anything less than five stars. Her work, research, and dedication has earned her that right. I could pull hundreds, if not thousands, of meaningful, powerful quotes from this relatively short tome. The book is a true gift that will keep on giving, as I’m sure, with every read-through, new gems will be mined. It’s on my keeper shelf, for sure.
