The Hidden Cost Of Trying To Optimize Yourself

Maxxing Out: In the era of fitness trackers, productivity hacks, and “maxxing” culture, a constant pursuit of self-improvement sometimes feels less like a choice and more like a requirement. But new research suggests that our growing obsession with optimization may come with hidden mental health costs.

The Study: Researchers analyzed data from more than 82,000 college students in the U.S., Canada, and U.K. collected between 1989 and 2024. Published in the Psychological Bulletin, the study found that perfectionism has risen substantially over time. The largest increases were seen in socially prescribed perfectionism — the belief that others expect you to be perfect — as well as self-oriented perfectionism, which involves setting excessively high standards for yourself. Some other, undesirable things increased alongside perfectionism: indecisiveness, uncertainty, and sensitivity about making mistakes.

The Takeaway: This data suggests that young adults are not only holding themselves to higher standards as time goes on, but also that they feel others hold them to ever-increasing standards — and it’s taking a toll on collective mental health. 

Keep in Mind: Striving for self-improvement and achievement is good. Beating yourself up when you feel like you fell short of perfection isn’t.