One thing I discovered when burnout, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness gripped me last year was that my perfectionist tendencies played a huge role in making life harder for myself. While perfectionism is often mentioned as a flaw (sometimes even as a humblebrag), in truth, it’s nothing to be proud of.

I came to realize that beneath perfectionism lies anxiety and fear—fear of failing, fear of being judged, fear of not being enough. That’s why we strive to become this flawless, ideal version of ourselves. We chase “perfection” like it’s a finish line and exhaust ourselves trying to reach it. But the effort to close that gap (or the helplessness we feel when the gap seems too wide) only feeds the anxiety further, creating a vicious cycle.

So, I’m learning—slowly—to be a bit braver: to acknowledge my weaknesses, embrace my brokenness, and treat myself with kindness—and extend that same kindness to others. Because just as I am full of flaws, so is everyone else. None of us are perfect.