25 Quotes That Perfectly Capture What It Feels Like To Fear Being Imperfect
You are MORE than enough.
Atelophobia is described as the fear of being imperfect or not being good enough. Atelophobia is classified as an anxiety disorder and people with this can become depressed from not reaching their exceedingly high standards and goals.
Even if you don’t have atelophobia, many of us experience thoughts like an atelophobic. I think EVERYONE probably has had atelophobic thoughts in one way or another.
It’s human nature, after all, to want to be perfect — or at least be striving for perfection.
But for people WITH atelophobia, simply saying “oh well” when something doesn't go to plan just isn't really in the picture. These fears can cause a person to become overly self conscious and stop striving for goals altogether.
An atelophobic figures, "Why try if whatever I do isn’t good enough?"
RELATED: 17 Seriously Sad Quotes From Disney Movies (*Sniffle*)
Maybe you have a friend who shuts down from the thought of being imperfect, or maybe it's you dealing with these issues. Either way, dealing with self doubt is a hard thing to do on your own, period.
It doesn’t matter what people tell you — they could compliment you day in and day out, but your opinions won't budge.
There is just something in your mind telling you that whatever you do is just not good enough, ever.
Having atelophobia is debilitating for the mind and can even lead to obsessive compulsive disorders. But of all the anxiety disorders, I think atelophobia is the easiest to talk about, because it's the most relatable.
Everyone fears that their best isn’t good enough. Some people’s fears may be more intense than others, but we all have the same ideas about perfection floating in our heads.
Relating to one another, acknowledging that these fears are valid, and reminding one another that we ARE good enough can help, even if only a little bit.
If you or someone you know has atelophobia or struggle with it yourself, check out these relatable-yet-sad quotes that speak to you when you feel like you're still not good enough. These quotes will remind you that your thoughts are valid AND you are good enough — just the way you are.
If you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ... look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious friendship truths, we've got you covered.
1.When being perfect isn't who you are.
“I sometimes fall into the trap of doing what I think I should be doing rather than what I want to be doing.” - Bjork
2.The definition of an atelophobic.
“I try so hard and it still isn’t enough.”
3.Perfectionists don't frown.
“The worst kind of pain is when you’re smiling just to stop the tears from falling.”
4.When being perfect and imperfect is BAD.
“Perfectionism is the fear of being criticized.” - Caroline Myss
5.Perfection is a car accident waiting to happen.
“When perfectionism is driving, shame is riding shotgun, and fear is that annoying backseat driver.” - Brene Brown
6.All atelophobics suffer from this.
“The one thing you shouldn’t be left alone with at night, is your own thoughts. They eat you alive until the next morning.”
7.When the pressure of perfectionism has gone too far.
“Sometimes, I feel as useless as a white crayon.”
8.Mr. Dali has a point.
“Have no fear of perfection - you’ll never reach it.” - Salvador Dali
9.The WORST feeling is feeling out of control.
“The worst feeling in the world is knowing you did the best you could and it still wasn't good enough.”
10.The truth of the matter.
“I don’t care if it hurts, I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul.” - Radiohead
11.Cry to let the pressure off your shoulders.
“Sometimes I cry because I’m tired of not being good enough.”
12.The feeling that feels SO true, even though it's not.
“I am a disappointment to everyone.”
13.Your mind controls EVERYTHING!
“Another sleepless night trapped in my own fucking mind.”
14.Perfectionism: not as appealing as it seems.
“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough.”
15.Become something more important than perfect.
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” - Buddha
16.SO HARD to be yourself.
“It’s a hell of a responsibility to be yourself. It’s much easier to be somebody else or nobody at all.” - Sylvia Plath
17.Not even close.
“You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.”
18.Believing you are enough IS enough.
“You would free yourself from so much stress and drama if you just understood and embraced the truth that you are enough.” - Steve Maraboli
19.Don't think, just be enough.
“The trouble was, I had been inadequate all along, I simply hadn’t thought about it.” - Sylvia Plath
20.OR you haven't realized you found it. It could be sitting right in front of you.
“I know I’m good for something, I just haven’t found it yet.”
21.Not anymore.
“I tried so hard to be what you needed.”
22.Be important to yourself.
“I just want to feel that I’m important to someone.”
23.A BIG one, too.
“I never thought I was a bully until I listened to how I spoke to myself. I think I owe myself an apology.” - Anita Opper
24.All YOU need to know is that you are good enough for yourself.
"There are some people who will never see you as being good enough. That is their short-coming, not yours. Be merciful enough to yourself to cut them out of your life." - Dr. Steve Maraboli
25.GET. RID. OF. IT!!!
“Ban, delete, shred, obliterate the words: ‘I’m not good enough.’ “ - Karen Salmansohn