The Myth of Perfection

Perfectionism in Asian societies often behaves much like a shadow—it’s always there, subtly influencing your actions, even if you can't always see it directly. Picture that recent family gathering when relatives were lovingly questioning your life decisions. Do you remember feeling like you were walking a tightrope, balancing between the desire to fit in and the need to stay true to yourself?

I do.

Perfectionism is a tricky beast, a chameleon blending in with our pursuit of excellence. It thrives in the hustle and bustle of our collective society, where individual achievement is often placed on a pedestal. In the Asian context, this pervasive push for perfection can extend beyond our school grades and work performance to our very bodies—fuelling eating disorders and wreaking havoc on our mental wellbeing.

Now, let's set the record straight. There's nothing wrong with striving for excellence. The problem arises when these expectations morph into a relentless pursuit of perfection, causing us to lose sight of our core values. After all, we are human beings full of complexity and nuance, not robots programmed to reach unrealistic standards.

It’s time to shift the narrative - to embrace our imperfections, and acknowledge that perfection is not a prerequisite for worthiness. Instead of striving for an unreachable ideal of perfection, it’s time to celebrate our shared human qualities—compassion, resilience, authenticity. Instead of running endlessly in the hamster wheel of societal expectations, let's define our own measures of success.

Eating disorders are not merely about a desire to look a certain way. They are entangled with a need to feel perfect, in control, and worthy in a collective society's eyes. It’s time to redefine this story.

Join us in promoting a healthier mindset, one that reinforces that our worth is not tethered to a number on a scale, a grade on a report card, or societal standards of perfection. Together, let's remind ourselves that it's perfectly fine to be imperfect.

Until next time, remember—you are more than enough, just as you are.