Perfectionism is a protective mechanism.
Deep down it's our way of avoiding failure,
Rejection or criticism.
Our brains are wired for survival and long ago being accepted by the group was crucial to staying safe.
If we made mistakes we risked being cast out or judged.
That old programming is still running today even when the stakes are much much lower.
Many of us learned perfectionism as a survival strategy.
Maybe we were praised only when we excelled.
I know I was only praised for being productive and that gets really tiring to take into adult life.
Or perhaps we were criticized harshly for making mistakes.
Over time we began believing that if we weren't perfect we weren't enough.
The need to be perfect is so out of date,
It limits us.
It keeps us from taking risks,
Trying new things and growing.
So let's get tapping and release a little of this perfectionism.
Starting on the side of the hand,
Repeat the words after me.
If something calls to you that resonates more please use your own words.
Even though I feel I need to be perfect before I'm visible,
I deeply and completely accept myself.
Even though I put so much pressure on myself to get it right,
I choose to be kind to myself.
Even though I fear making mistakes and being judged,
I allow myself to embrace progress over perfection.
Tapping through the points,
Eyebrow,
I'm stuck.
Side of eye,
I can't move forward until I get this right.
Under the eye,
I put so much pressure on myself to be flawless.
Under the nose,
I've got to get it 100% right.
Chin,
I worry that if I slip up I'll be judged.
Collarbone,
I feel frozen and frustrated.
Under the arm,
I hold myself to impossible expectations.
Top of the head,
I'm tired of needing to be more before I can begin.
Keep going,
Eyebrow,
I'm scared of what people will think.
Side of the eye,
I've been criticised before and it still hurts.
Under the eye,
What if they see me just as I am?
Under the nose,
They might misunderstand me.
Chin,
They might think I'm stupid.
Collarbone,
It's safer to just not show up.
Under the arm,
This fear is keeping me stuck.
And I'm so tired of it.
Top of the head,
But part of me wants to move forward.
Eyebrow,
They're going to think I'm stupid.
Side of the eye,
Maybe I am stupid.
I should know what I'm doing by now.
Under the eye,
I'm not stupid.
I'm just new and this makes me feel vulnerable.
Under the nose,
I'm scared I'm going to mess up.
Chin,
Maybe it's safer to just not do this.
Collarbone,
I am so good at making excuses.
Under the arm,
I've perfected that.
Top of the head,
But I'm tired of feeling this way.
Okay,
Take a pause,
Just check in with yourself.
How are you feeling?
How's your body feeling?
Have any sensations come up for you or thoughts or memories?
Just hold them in your awareness if so,
And let's get tapping.
Starting on the eyebrow point,
What if I don't need to be perfect?
Side of the eye,
What if it's okay to make mistakes?
Under the eye,
What if I could ride it out and still be okay?
Under the nose,
I'd like to stop comparing myself to others.
Chin,
Maybe I can just give it a try.
Collarbone,
What if I could choose progress over perfection?
Under the arm,
And give myself permission to fail.
Top of the head,
What if that could be okay?
Eyebrow,
I really want to show up authentically.
Side of the eye,
I value it in others,
So why not myself?
Under the eye,
I know imperfections make people relatable.
Under the nose,
They help me connect with others,
So why not myself?
Chin,
I really want to grow.
Collarbone,
And take up space just as I am.
Under the arm,
What if it might be okay?
Top of the head,
What if good enough could be enough?
Back to the eyebrow,
I give my body permission to let my guard down.
Side of the eye,
I'm open to it being safe for me to move forward.
Under the eye,
I don't have to prove anything.
Under the nose,
My voice matters and it is worthy of being heard.
Chin,
I release these outdated beliefs.
Collarbone,
And I choose to treat myself with compassion.
Under the arm,
So what if I make a mistake?
Top of the head,
I am choosing growth over perfection.
Eyebrow,
I choose to know that it is safe for me to be visible.
Side of eye,
I choose progress over perfection.
Under the eye,
I don't have to prove a thing.
Under the nose,
I have something to share with the world.
Chin,
I may not be perfect,
But that's okay.
Collarbone,
I am real.
I am human.
Under the arm,
I am a work in progress.
And so is everyone else.
Top of the head,
I choose progress over perfection every time.
Okay,
Let's lock it in.
Go to the side of the hand and tap here.
Even though I've spent so long trying to be perfect,
To be loved or just to fit in,
I am choosing to show up just as I am now.
Even though I feared being judged,
If I don't get it perfectly right first time,
I'm learning to trust that my real self is enough.
And even though part of me still worries about getting it wrong,
I choose to meet myself with kindness and know that I am enough just as I am.
Just stay tapping here on the side of the hand and repeat that.
I am enough just as I am.
Okay,
Stop tapping.
Place your hands on your heart space and take a full breath.
Release through the mouth and notice how you now feel.
I hope you found this tapping useful.
I look forward to joining you again.
Go well.
