Psychology Today | 31.07.2026 06:35
At its core, perfectionism is extremely personal, often aiming to touch one’s essence, whether one’s own or another’s. The perfectionist’s search may appear secular, but it can be considered spiritual in nature, even if the individual defines themself as an atheist or agnostic; regardless, they often seek fundamental, personal truths. If the primary motive of their life is becoming perfect, this may stem from a desperate need to conclusively and directly answer the questions: “Who am I really?” “Who am I at my core?” “Am I really defective?” And one way to get closer to these truths, eliminating confusion, is by testing one’s abilities or traits. “If I’m brilliant, then I should always thrive academically.” “If I’m beautiful, then I should never be sexually or romantically rejected.”
