Perfectionism and Burnout

Whether you're in school, launching a career, or years into a demanding profession, the pressure to succeed can feel relentless. You're constantly striving — for the next milestone, the perfect outcome, the approval that never quite sticks. And while you may look like you're holding it all together, inside you might feel exhausted, anxious, or stuck in a cycle of burnout.

Perfectionism can make it feel like you're never doing enough, no matter how hard you try. You might avoid tasks out of fear they won’t be done perfectly, struggle to relax, or feel guilty for taking breaks. Burnout often follows — mentally, emotionally, and physically drained from trying to keep up with expectations that keep moving.

In therapy, we can work together to break this cycle. That means challenging perfectionistic beliefs, learning to rest without guilt, setting healthier boundaries, and redefining what success means for you. You deserve to feel proud of your efforts, not punished by them.