Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. Scrolling through social media, bombarded with pictures of “perfect” lives, feeling like everyone else has it all figured out, and we’re just falling short. This constant pressure to achieve, to be successful, to be perfect, is getting out of hand. And according to a recent study by the University of California, Berkeley, it’s actually making us more stressed and anxious than ever before. The study found that 72% of participants reported feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations, both for themselves and from others.
The thing is, the comparison game is a total trap. We’re constantly exposed to these highlight reels, the best of the best, and it makes us believe that’s the norm. Suddenly, our regular lives with their ups and downs seem like failures. This fuels unrealistic expectations, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us too. Think about it – parents pushing their kids to be the top of the class, bosses setting impossible deadlines, friends expecting us to be available 24/7… it’s a recipe for stress and anxiety.
But here’s the good news: we can break free! We need to ditch the idea of “perfect” and embrace the power of “good enough.” This doesn’t mean giving up on our goals, it just means acknowledging that perfection is a myth. It’s about celebrating progress, learning from mistakes, and focusing on our own unique journey, not someone else’s filtered Instagram feed.
Another key? Talking things out. Open communication with family, friends, and colleagues can be a game-changer. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who openly discussed their anxieties and pressures with loved ones experienced significant reductions in stress and improved emotional well-being. By sharing our struggles and limitations, we can build understanding and support. Instead of feeling pressured to live up to unrealistic expectations, we can create a space for encouragement and embracing each other’s individual strengths.
We’re all human, we all make mistakes, we all have limits, and that’s okay.
Jurnal EFY 