Are Your Expectations Too High?
Do you have unrealistic expectations for yourself?
What if you decided that your struggles were normal and okay? What would that feel like?
So many of us set impossibly high standards — expecting ourselves to always be productive, calm, confident, and “on top of things.” The problem is that when we inevitably fall short, we feel guilty or inadequate.
But the truth is this: struggles are part of being human. Feeling anxious before a presentation, tired after a long week, or uncertain about the future doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re alive.
When you allow your challenges to be “normal,” you free yourself from the pressure of perfection. Instead of criticising yourself, you can start practicing self-compassion.
Here are two small steps to try:
Notice your inner critic. When you catch yourself thinking “I should be doing better,” pause and reframe it: I’m doing the best I can right now.
Give yourself permission to rest. Sometimes progress looks like slowing down, not pushing harder.
Your struggles don’t define you — but the way you respond to them does. What would it feel like to replace self-criticism with self-acceptance?
If perfectionism or self-criticism is holding you back, therapy and coaching can help. Learn more about my services here
