Perfectionism, performance anxiety, indecision, procrastination, and overthinking

Many of you know that I have been struggling to come up with a catchy new name for my podcast. I am a bit embarrassed by the amount of time I’ve spent brainstorming ideas and my family and friends have heard me talk about this ad nauseum.

Yet, here I am. With a nameless podcast and need to create another episode by this Tuesday. Waiting for the proverbial lighting to strike. Feeling unexcited about all the possibilities and pressure to choose something I’m not enthusiastic about.

So why should this matter to you?

Because the reasons I am so stuck may be the very things that also hold you back in your life.

Let’s dive into that.

It struck me that it is performance anxiety rooted in perfectionism that is keeping me stuck. I am afraid of making the wrong choice.

I grew up in a family where I learned I had to be perfect to feel valued. I was criticized when I did anything wrong, and I developed a deep-seated worry about making a mistake or a wrong decision. I’ve worked a monumental amount to overcome this worry and my overall perfectionism. It is crazy hard work.

And yet, here I am. Again. In a place where performance anxiety is holding me back.

Does that sound familiar? Can you relate to this?

Perfectionism causes performance anxiety, indecision, procrastination, and overthinking. It can shake your self-esteem when you worry aren’t good enough. You get stuck in an endless loop of overthinking and you don’t act.

I want to shout at myself, “Get out of your head, make a decision, and DO something!”

Instead, I’m honoring the child in me who never got the validation she needed from her parents. I’m sitting with that and doing some self-love. I’m giving myself permission to make a mistake.

Because in the end, whatever I name my podcast doesn’t matter that much.

I matter. How I feel about myself matters.

And you matter.

So please take a moment to consider:
✔️  What holds you back?
✔️  What do you need to honor in yourself?
✔️  What permission do you need to give yourself?
✔️  How can you love yourself?

Then, go do it, whatever it is.