About Perfectionism and Perfect Looks

Does your definition of being perfect include looking perfect? If the answer to this question is yes, then I have another question for you: What’s the perfect look? Try to answer that question and you might end up confused.

Almost all kinds of perfectionism include some definition of looking perfect and there are some different approaches to describe perfect looks. I’ll explain some of them to help you finding the definition you want to use for yourself. Take a look at these:

1. Comparison with other persons. This one is bad. And very common at the same time. A lot of people take the looks of a famous model or actor and start trying to look the same. Or wanting to look the same, as they don’t know how to come closer to this goal. The truth is that you are another person. And so you will always look different.
2. Others will tell you. You can also define looking perfect as getting the best feedback from other people. And that’s what you should do. … Not? Of course not! There are two major problems with this one: First, you can only guess what others will like, so you don’t really know which steps to take to come closer to this goal. Second, there is no perfect feedback at all. So you will never be completely satisfied with your own looks.
3. Having no flaws. Okay.. So you want to have no flaws? But in reality you got them? Your nose is too big or your fingers are crooked? Let’s see… There is plastic surgery so you could possibly fix them all! Great! Nah, I’m just kidding, You would probably end up as some kind of malformed barbie doll. Because you wouldn’t run out of faults. You won’t look like your ideal. … Wait! Ideal? Yes, or how do you define a flaw? Basically, this one brings you back to the previous points. Yeah, plastic surgery is okay in some extreme cases but really take some time to think before you do it. And of course, there are some things you can change without surgery. You can loose weight if you wish. But overweight is also a health issue so that might be another story..
4. Expressing yourself. I might need to explain what that’s supposed to mean. Well, it’s kinda hard to say. It means, that looking perfect is equal to looking like you truly are. Show who you are by your looks. Not trying to be someone else. Not being afraid of what society might think about your looks. It’s about looking in the mirror and seeing yourself. I know, it’s somehow hard to grasp but that’s a definition you can use. It’s still more of a challenge than you might think. It’s not that easy.

You see, the first three approaches (which are all very common) highly rely on external factors. They lead to unrealistic goals, goals that can not be reached. In the end they lead to aimless perfectionism. The fourth apporach is way better. It provides a reachable goal that probably still challenges you.

So hopefully, you rethink your own definition of looking perfect. And how you really come closer to that goal.