Breaking Free from Perfectionism & Finding Closure
Breaking the Loop of Perfectionism: Somatic Tools for Lasting Change
Let’s talk about perfectionism, especially if you feel like you can never truly “finish” anything without nitpicking or second-guessing. This loop of never feeling accomplished? That’s a major hurdle many of us face, especially those with trauma histories or neurodivergent brains.
Here’s what happens: When you finish something, the natural next step is to celebrate or feel a sense of completion. But if you’ve experienced criticism or trauma, your brain may struggle with that concept of “done.” Instead of pride, it nudges you toward what else needs fixing, or how you could have done better.
Growing up, I learned that nothing I did was “good enough.” Whether it was cleaning, school grades, or appearance, I felt like there was always something wrong. Those early experiences stuck with me, and as an adult, it became a pattern of never feeling satisfied with my work or accomplishments.
Somatic practices can help break that loop by grounding you in the present moment. Here are a few practical ways I’ve found helpful, and I often share these with clients:
Set Time Limits: Give yourself a set time to work on a task, then step away. Use a playlist or timer to mark when it’s time to shift, helping your brain recognize that the task is “complete” for now.
Celebrate Completion: When you finish, do something joyful to close the loop—a quick dance, a walk outside, or sharing your accomplishment with a friend.
Somatic Repatterning: Engage in Parts Work or other somatic techniques to uncover what those perfectionist parts need. Often, they’re trying to protect us or keep us from feeling “not enough,” and meeting those parts with compassion can be transformative.
When we learn to break free from perfectionism, we invite self-trust, ease, and a more grounded relationship with our work and lives. Imagine feeling genuinely satisfied with your accomplishments. That’s the goal.
Ready to release the loop of perfectionism and build self-trust? Join my newsletter for monthly healing insights and get my free Emotional Resilience Workbook filled with practical tools to support your journey. Sign up below to start shifting patterns that no longer serve you.
