How Perfection Drove Me To Leave College

How Perfection Drove Me To Leave College

"Hi, my name is Ellie, and I have a fear of imperfection," I say, making eye contact only with my hands, which I have folded in my lap. "Hi, Ellie," you all chime back. "You see, I was born this way," I say, flashing back to the time I threw a fit because my mom braided one of my pigtails thicker than the other. "How does it affect you?" asks Yaris, the guidance counselor, who insists on wearing linen pants everyday and hasn't cut his hair in two years. I stare at him, as if I’m debating my answer. "Well, my desire for perfection holds me back, y’know? I get so overwhelmed by the idea of making the 'best' choice or needing to excel that I think I sabotage myself. So, I guess I keep picking the road most traveled.” Without thinking, I add, “it also has something to do with my fear of disappointing people.” "Wait, what do you mean by sabotage? You don’t produce your best...
Read More