The Community Table: Perfectionism & Criticism

Community Table: Perfectionism, Criticism, and Self-Worth

Many people live with a constant inner voice that says they need to do more, be better, or get it right to be worthy. Over time, this pressure can make mistakes feel unsafe, feedback feel personal, and success feel exhausting instead of satisfying.

This Community Table will explore how perfectionism and self-criticism develop, how they show up in our thoughts, emotions, and relationships, and how they often work together to make self-worth feel conditional. We’ll talk about how our inner critic is shaped by past experiences and cultural expectations, and why perfectionism is often an attempt to protect ourselves from criticism, rejection, or failure.

Together, we’ll practice simple self-compassion skills to respond to perfectionistic urges with awareness, kindness, and acceptance—especially in moments when things don’t go as planned. Participants will be supported in noticing when their inner critic is active, learning the difference between…