Ever felt like you're too particular to just let things go? Yeah. Us too. In this episode of Too Much Apparently, we (Carly and Alice — two therapists who notice everything) get real about what we call everyday perfectionism. Not just perfectionism at work or in big achievements, but the tiny, relentless moments where things have to feel just right before you can properly relax. We explore how this can show up through sensory needs, autistic pattern recognition, OCD-style "just-rightness", shame, control, and the constant pressure to do everyday life the "right" way — from cleaning and decorating to food, holidays, shopping and even how we talk to other people. This time we talked about: 🎙️ We've felt this thing too (and we still do): Hello, inspecting every purchase for tiny flaws, endlessly tweaking things that are "almost right", and replaying everyday decisions because something still doesn't feel quite right. 👀 What it looks like in real life: Returning items over tiny imperfections, struggling to clean "just one room", skin picking, getting overwhelmed by contradictory advice, feeling disappointed when holidays or special occasions don't match the picture in your head, and believing everything has to be done properly. 🧠 Why our brains do it: Sensory differences, autistic pattern recognition, perfectionism, shame, control, intolerance of uncertainty, and sometimes OCD-style "just-right" experiences that make tiny details feel impossible to ignore. 🧍🏽♀️🧍🏻 The different ways it shows up: Food, cleaning, decorating, appearance, conversations, routines, social media pressure, exercise, health advice, parenting, work, and the endless feeling that there's one "correct" way to do life. 🧰 Coping mechanisms: Learning the difference between sensory needs and perfectionism, choosing your battles, practising "good enough", increasing your tolerance for things being slightly imperfect, and asking what actually matters most to you. 🌱 How to make peace with it: Maybe life doesn't have to be perfect to be good — and maybe your energy is too precious to spend chasing "just right" all the time Thanks for listening 💛💜🩷🩵🧡 💬 New episodes every Monday. 🎧 Follow now to join the conversation. 🧡 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ Podcast socials: → Instagram: @toomuchapparently → TikTok: @toomuchapparently → YouTube: Too Much, Apparently → Website: www.toomuchapparently.com → Substack: Too Much, Apparently 👩💻 Carly Radford: → Website: www.carlyradford.com → Instagram: @the_sensitivity_therapist 👩🏻💻 Alice Tew: → Website: www.alicetew.com → Instagram: @reparentingwithalice 📩 Email us: hello@toomuchapparently.com 🗓️ New episodes every Monday This is a podcast that says: bring your too-muchness… we’re here for it. Disclaimer: Just a quick note to say this podcast isn’t therapy, and it’s not a substitute for professional support. We’re here to share ideas and experiences, but if you’re struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a support service near you. -------------------------------------------------------------------- perfectionism podcast, autism podcast, neurodivergent podcast, therapy podcast, mental health podcast, sensory processing podcast, overthinking podcast, OCD podcast, emotional podcast, sensitivity podcast, Too Much Apparently podcast
