Up: [[Compulsion]] Created: 2025-08-17 Maladaptive [[Perfectionism]] comes from a childhood attempt to belong and earn love when those needs for belonging and love are not being unconditionally met by our parents or caregivers. The only thing that will stop us from continuing to pursue this path as adults is by becoming conscious that we’ve used the maladaptive perfectionist stand-ins of overachieving and people-pleasing for the unconditional acceptance and love that we crave. When we know that, really know it, we can take steps to give acceptance and love to ourselves through self-compassion.