Aug 12, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min · 14 segments
What if perfectionism, procrastination, and imposter syndrome aren't separate struggles but different expressions of the same underlying fear? In this episode, we explore how these patterns can…
Yeah, so if you're wondering what these might look like is perfectionism could look like I have to do this exceptionally well in order to be safe, worthy, successful, or acceptable.
Um, imposter syndrome could be I am not actually capable, and eventually people will find out, so a feeling of being exposed.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And procrastination could be, uh, this task feels threatening or overwhelming, so I need to get away from it, so, uh, an avoidance-
Mm-hmm
... really of it.
And often I would say that, you know, perfectionism and the imposter syndrome might eventually lead to the procrastination-
Mm-hmm
... because you're, you're avoiding that fear and feeling uncomfortable, so you're just gonna put it off.
Yeah.
Not effectively.
[laughs]
Yeah.
Because it brings on all sorts of other feelings like guilt and shame and stress and anxiety, but in the moment-
Yeah
... you're trying to avoid, um, often those first two.
Like, that's that real, like, outward facing, like, putting yourself out there for others to experience and really trying to, like, put your best foot forward.
Um, the perfectionism is, like, oftentimes for me, like, that intent of, like, I want to do really well, be a high achiever, be perceived well.
Um, and then the imposter syndrome is kinda those, like, those anxious underlying thoughts of, like, I'm, I'm striving, I'm striving in a way, but, like, is it, is it real? Like, am I, am I convincing people that I'm actually, um, good enough or competent? Um, I'm definitely feeling that right now in my practicum where I'm literally...
It feels like I'm literally pr- going in and pretending to be a therapist.
[laughs]
Mm-hmm.
But I'm, but I'm actually a therapist.
Yeah, so if you're wondering what these might look like is perfectionism could look like I have to do this exceptionally well in order to be safe, worthy, successful, or acceptable.
Um, imposter syndrome could be I am not actually capable, and eventually people will find out, so a feeling of being exposed.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And procrastination could be, uh, this task feels threatening or overwhelming, so I need to get away from it, so, uh, an avoidance-
Mm-hmm
... really of it.
And often I would say that, you know, perfectionism and the imposter syndrome might eventually lead to the procrastination-
Mm-hmm
... because you're, you're avoiding that fear and feeling uncomfortable, so you're just gonna put it off.
Yeah.
Not effectively.
[laughs]
Yeah.
Because it brings on all sorts of other feelings like guilt and shame and stress and anxiety, but in the moment-
Yeah
... you're trying to avoid, um, often those first two.
Like, that's that real, like, outward facing, like, putting yourself out there for others to experience and really trying to, like, put your best foot forward.
Um, the perfectionism is, like, oftentimes for me, like, that intent of, like, I want to do really well, be a high achiever, be perceived well.
Um, and then the imposter syndrome is kinda those, like, those anxious underlying thoughts of, like, I'm, I'm striving, I'm striving in a way, but, like, is it, is it real? Like, am I, am I convincing people that I'm actually, um, good enough or competent? Um, I'm definitely feeling that right now in my practicum where I'm literally...
It feels like I'm literally pr- going in and pretending to be a therapist.
[laughs]
Mm-hmm.
But I'm, but I'm actually a therapist.
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