Send us a text

In this first teaching episode under the new Creative Energy name, we dive deep into the tangled roots of perfectionism: a pattern that keeps so many creatives stuck in fear, performance, and procrastination. Linda and Heather share their personal experiences of how perfectionism has shown up in relationships, business, parenting, and artistic work, offering insight into how to recognize, unravel, and release its grip. If you’ve ever felt held back by the need to get it “just right,” this episode will help you reconnect with your real, imperfect, and wildly creative self.

We Chat About:

• How perfectionism masks itself as productivity, control, or care
• The connection between people-pleasing and perfectionism
• Parenting patterns, early survival strategies, and “good girl” programming
• The parasite metaphor: how perfectionism seeps into all areas of life
• Creative procrastination as a fear-based perfectionist strategy
• Tools for working with—not eradicating—perfectionist patterns
• The role of writing, somatic work, and service in loosening its grip
• How real connection replaces the need for perfection

Chapters:

00:44 – Naming perfectionism as a core creative block

02:00 – Defining what perfectionism isn’t

05:00 – Control, image, and the fear of exile

07:00 – Relationship perfectionism and performative care

10:00 – How school rewards perfectionism—and adulthood punishes it

13:00 – Childhood roles and the cost of always being “the good one”

18:00 – Sibling dynamics and early identity stories

21:00 – The surprise of discovering “hidden” perfectionism

23:00 – Under-baking as a protective strategy

26:00 – AI, filters, and the illusion of perfect

28:00 – Parenting and redefining the “perfect” home

32:00 – Releasing control in family and business

35:00 – Can we ever fully let go of perfectionism?

36:00 – Compassion as the key to recognizing the pattern

39:00 – Writing as a tool for pattern tracking

42:00 – Dancing, tapping, and being of service

46:00 – Befriending our inner rejected parts

Connect with Us:

Creative Energy Podcast: www.wearecreativeenergy.com

Linda Lewis: www.lindalewcreative.com

Heather Manwaring: www.heathermanwaring.com