On my previous article, I talked about the four reason on why perfectionism is bad for teenagers and how to fix it before it destroys them. Now, I will present what books are useful for fighting perfectionism.

Books are vital for the mind and mental state, as they can provide wisdom, strength, motivation, and knowledge. When a person has all these qualities, there is nothing that can stop them. Here are some psychology books that I think you would love if you’re fighting perfectionism.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniversary Edition: Free on Audible for 30 days, then $14.95 a month; $14.29 for hardcover

This book was recommended by the New York Times when they made an article on “6 Books to Help You Let Go of Perfectionism,” and I think it is the greatest book created for healing perfectionism.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown was published in 2010, and so far, it is still one of the best books out there for perfectionists fighting their personality trait to read. The summary of this book basically means building shame resilience, embracing vulnerability, allowing imperfection to happen, and replenishing courage. Everyone, no matter their physical strength, can be mentally vulnerable and imperfect, and that's okay, but hiding it and acting like nothing is happening is not only hurting yourself but also the people around you.

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Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen

Don't Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition): Free on Audible for 30 days, then $14.95 a month

The art cover for the book is really stunning; so is the meaning of the book.

The book was published in 2022 by Joseph Nguyen, and it delivers a motivational and thought-provoking summary that the thoughts we endure are not always factual and coincide with reality and that overthinking leads to mental suffering and difficulty controlling your poignant emotions. This book can be a steady guide to controlling your thoughts to prevent anxiety, stress, and, of course, perfectionism.

The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest and Narrated by Stacey Glemboski

The Mountain Is You: Free on Audible for 30 days, then $14.95 a month; $25 for hardcover

One of the aspects of perfectionism that many people don't recognize or talk about is the negative things you say about yourself. When you downplay yourself and your abilities for making one mistake or not being 100% flawless like you think you are, you're hurting yourself in the process of healing, and you're delaying the things you need to get out of the way. This book can help fix that.

Brianna Wiest released a book called “The Mountain Is You” in 2020, and it has been reviewed by over 23k people with a 4.7-star rating. The meaning of this book evokes sensible and positive words on how self-sabotage (behaviors, thoughts, or actions that can delay one's own goals and create problems in daily lives) can cause individuals to hold back on the things they need to get done. Many of the self-sabotage aspects include negative self-talk, procrastination, perfectionism invoking fear of failure, etc.

When Perfect Isn't Good Enough by Martin M. Antony, PH.D. and Richard P. Swinson, MD

When Perfect Isn't Good Enough: Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism: Free on Audible for 30 days, then $7.95 a month; $24 for hardcover

The final book in the article: When Perfect Isn't Good Enough by Martin M. Antony, PH.D., and Richard P. Swinson, MD.

This book was also recommended by the New York Times as a way to “escape the cycle of perfectionism.” It was published in 1998, and it has remained one of people's most helpful self-help books of the 20th and 21st centuries. This book does not only delve into the nature of perfectionism, but it also offers strategies to maintain your cognitive and behavioral function, manage anxiety, and reduce the impact of perfectionism.

They have also included exercises you can do to reduce perfectionism, including feeding your mind with realistic and balanced thoughts and goals, identify how did they get their perfectionism trait, and destroy it. If you want to finally heal yourself, read this book for a chance.

Why Books are Important

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• Enhances Vocabulary: Ever wondered why you keep searching up big words to use in an essay to not make it seem like it's AI-generated? Just read a book. The more books you read, the more your vocabulary is boosted with fancy and fun words to incorporate into your daily conversations and report papers. Not only that, but it can also boost your brainpower, wisdom, and coordination. However, you should be mindful of the type of books you read.
• Boosts Analytical Skills: Reading a book means you would have to use your eyes to read every word closely to comprehend the book. If you read more books, you would be able to analyze data sheets, essays, etc. Having these types of skills is one of the aspects of wisdom and intelligence.
• Heals Internal Well-Being: Don't ever think or say that three or four books will never make a difference for your mental health. The type of books you read determines the way you act, think, and feel. Books are so versatile for many mental reasons, including healing, shifting personality, acting in front of others, giving a speech in front of a large crowd without being scared, etc.
• It's Required for Education: You cannot step into the real world after high school if you haven't read about the real world. School can be a real burden, but the number of books you read in school will determine how you will perform your tasks once you grab that diploma.

Conclusion

Perfectionism fears knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, and healing. Reading books, specifically the ones listed in this article, can provide every one of them. I would highly recommend checking out these books to enhance your mental state and calm your mind from pressure and anxiety. Not only are you going to be blown away by the message of these books, but you're also saving your wallet!