The perfectionist is one of the most common protectors I see.
She often shows up as high standards,
Over-preparing,
Double-checking,
And never feeling like what you've done is quite enough.
On the surface,
She looks like discipline and drive.
Underneath,
She's often a younger part of you,
Scared,
Carrying pressure,
And believing her worth depends on getting it right.
This meditation is here to help you meet her,
Feel her in your body,
And connect with the truth of why she's here.
Begin by finding a comfortable position.
You might like to close down your eyes,
Resting your hands in your lap.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in.
Let your breath start to slow down.
Each inhale and exhale,
Softening your shoulders,
Your ears,
Your jaw,
Your belly.
Feel the weight of your body being fully supported right now.
There's nothing you need to do in this moment,
No standard to meet,
Nowhere to be.
Today,
We're meeting a part of you that works incredibly hard,
The part that wants to get things just right,
The part that checks,
Edits,
Prepares,
And keeps you in motion so you never fall short.
This part doesn't just visit sometimes,
It can feel like she's been here forever.
Notice if you can feel this perfectionist part in your body.
Where do you feel it?
Maybe there's a tightness in your chest,
A knot in your stomach,
A buzzing in your mind.
Just be with whatever is there.
Now,
Ask this part without needing an immediate answer.
How old are you?
What age do you feel?
Maybe you sense a teenager working hard to keep their grades up,
Or a little girl gripping her homework,
Hoping it's enough,
Or maybe even younger.
Do you who are starting to realize that being good brought love or safety?
Just notice what you sense.
Does she feel frozen,
Afraid to make a move in case it's the wrong one?
Or is she overworking,
Over-giving,
Over-achieving to feel worthy?
There's no right or wrong here,
Just noticing.
Now,
Imagine you could see her clearly,
This beautiful little girl with her pure heart,
Her open,
Curious mind,
And her purest of intentions.
She's not trying to make your life harder,
She's been carrying the weight of getting it right,
To protect you from criticism,
Rejection,
Disappointment.
Look at her,
Really see her,
And then ask yourself,
What would you say to her?
Maybe it's,
You've done enough.
You are enough.
You don't have to earn love.
Just let those words land.
Thank her for all the times she's pushed you forward,
Helped you succeed,
Kept you safe.
Also let her know she doesn't have to hold it alone anymore.
She can still be here,
But she can rest sometimes.
Take one more breath into the place in your body where you felt her.
Feel that space soften,
Just a little.
When you're ready,
Slowly bringing your attention back to the room.
Carrying with you the image of that beautiful little girl,
Feeling seen,
Heard,
And no longer carrying the weight all on her own.
Thank you.
