The Pressure To Be Perfect.

Perfection.

It’s something so many of us chase, especially in school. The perfect grades, the perfect extracurriculars, the perfect balance of work and life, because anything less feels like failure. I used to think that if I wasn’t excelling in everything, then I wasn’t good enough. But here’s what I’ve learned during our hiatus: perfection is an illusion, and struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.

The Invisible Weight of Expectations

Whether it’s from teachers, parents, or even ourselves, expectations can feel suffocating. If you’re an overachiever, you know exactly what I mean—the fear of a grade dropping, the anxiety before an exam, the constant comparison to others who seem to have it all figured out. It’s exhausting.

I remember feeling like I had to keep proving myself. That if I took a break, I was lazy. That if I struggled, it meant I wasn’t as smart as people thought I was. But that mindset wasn’t sustainable. It led to burnout, stress, and a fear of failure so strong that I sometimes avoided things altogether just so I wouldn’t mess up.

Struggle Doesn’t Mean Failure

Here’s something I wish I had learned earlier: struggling doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It means you’re pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. It means you’re learning. Every setback, whether it’s a lower grade than expected, a difficult exam, or even just feeling unmotivated, is part of the process.

Think about it this way: if success came easily, it wouldn’t mean as much. Growth happens in the moments when we push through, when we fall and get back up, when we realize that struggling isn’t a sign of weakness but of progress.

Redefining Success

Instead of chasing perfection, we should redefine what success looks like. Maybe it’s not about being the best at everything but about finding balance. Maybe it’s about doing your best without sacrificing your mental health. Maybe it’s about realizing that your worth isn’t tied to a grade or an achievement.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect, remind yourself:

• You are more than your grades. A bad test doesn’t define you.

• Breaks are necessary, not a sign of laziness. Resting is productive.

• You’re not alone. Everyone struggles, even if they don’t show it.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. And sometimes, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to accept that it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to not have everything figured out. It’s okay to be human.

So, if you’re feeling the pressure, take a breath. You’re doing better than you think.

Till next time,

Celmira