[Icare dixit]

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? If so, in all aspects of life?

Do you ever procrastinate because you haven't found the best/perfect way to do something?

I'd say I am a perfectionist when it comes to my own work. It can be little things, but still more when it comes to consequential decisions, taking a long time to find the best approach. It may be considered procrastinating sometimes, but I think as long as only do it when things really matter, it's fine.

I used to be unable to do much when not hypomanic or manic or be perfectionist about small details nobody else cares about.

Having to make a product/service that has to be good enough, better than the competition, but not too good, so that it may be improved later, and not too costly, maintaining a positive cash-flow, helps. There has to be customer/user rather than me working in a silo of some large organisation I have little influence on. I have to see the final result of my work and see it as something quantifiable.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? If so, in all aspects of life?

Do you ever procrastinate because you haven't found the best/perfect way to do something?

I'd say I am a perfectionist when it comes to my own work. It can be little things, but still more when it comes to consequential decisions, taking a long time to find the best approach. It may be considered procrastinating sometimes, but I think as long as only do it when things really matter, it's fine.

I used to be unable to do much when not hypomanic or manic or be perfectionist about small details nobody else cares about.

Having to make a product/service that has to be good enough, better than the competition, but not too good, so that it may be improved later, and not too costly, maintaining a positive cash-flow, helps. There has to be customer/user rather than me working in a silo of some large organisation I have little influence on. I have to see the final result of my work and see it as something quantifiable.

used too ... not enough energy now a days to care ....

ps: much better ... very concise ... I understood every word ..

[SillyMom]

Yes and no. During my manic episodes I'm a clean freak and perfectionist. During my down days, I'm like f*** it I don't care, I am bad at it anyway, etc.
I'm hoping these meds will let me chill out and enjoy life again

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[Ocean Swimmer]

On construction projects, yes a perfectionist.
My home life is ok with sink full of dishes.

[GoldenSnitch]

I'd consider myself one. In most areas of my life. If I'm in the middle of an episode some things might slide but overall, if it isn't perfect, it isn't good enough.

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[zijax]

No, I'm not perfectionistic, good enough is good enough for me

[scatterbrained04]

Originally Posted by SillyMom

Yes and no. During my manic episodes I'm a clean freak and perfectionist. During my down days, I'm like f*** it I don't care, I am bad at it anyway, etc.
I'm hoping these meds will let me chill out and enjoy life again

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That's pretty much how I roll too. Having a child has made me considerably less of a perfectionist when it comes to my house. Still can get pretty **** at work.

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[SillyMom]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

That's pretty much how I roll too. Having a child has made me considerably less of a perfectionist when it comes to my house. Still can get pretty **** at work.

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Yeah kids can change it all. They hate me on my manic days...I yell a lot

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[zepchic]

I would describe myself as a perfectionist, but I'm not very good at it. I am never enough for myself.

in some areas (such as spelling and writing), no. i really don't care for it- as long as i'm understood, that's all i'm bothered about.. i was never the greatest at english (or math, actually)
same with cleaning the house/ looking presentible. i really don't care.
in other areas (such as shopping), totally

i'll buy something- and it will be good for a few months, and then i'll see a crack in it/ batteries will run out/ cds and dvds start skipping etc etc... their's no, " oh this is easy to fix" (in reality it is), no.. it's thrown out and replaced.
even with food

if i buy 2 apples, and 1 apple is bigger than the other apple, 1 has to go back (even though it's the same fruit)

it drives me crazy... because i'm constantly buying the same item.

i also think of myself as a perfectionist when it comes to timing.

i eat at half 5, and i'll do anything to make that happen- every night. and if it means ordering a takeout because nothing's in the oven, so be it

same with tv shows. always 5 minits before the show, never a minit over- if i am i just won't bother watching it

[Icare dixit]

That's interesting. I have pretty much the same problem with buying stuff, maybe not as extreme, I don't ever care about apples or other food, but with clothes and appliances I try to be careful but any damage at least irritates me greatly.

I generally watch only on-demand TV shows/series or you can "rewind" if it has already started (like with the iPlayer). I do mind missing the first few minutes of a TV series episode and I will always only watch it from the very start (if possible, otherwise I'll just make do).

In the past, I've been a perfectionist. Now? I'm not sure. I'm just starting to get to know myself again. In this moment, I'm too sick to register or give this question the thought I should maybe. My usual self probably is an all or nothing type unfortunately. I need to find my middle ground again. Perfect doesn't exist, but being able to give something my full effort is a happy place for me. I've lowered my standards out of necessity. I need other people's help to raise them. Guess I'm just confused. And why does this question make me cry?

[Icare dixit]

All or nothing is something I recognise, relate to. Both the "black-and-white thinking" which is considered more a personality thing, though science and reason helps me to counteract that, and the dissociation between "perfect" mania and "useless"/"inferior" depression. I also feel a vacuum that developed between mania and depression. I have to fill it. I've luckily become better at it, instead of broadening/growing the vacuum.

It is an essential aspect of the more personality/deliberate part of BP, I think. The seeming inability to change it much may create strong emotional reactions: you "should" not do this, there is no apparent reason for it.

I hope you find a way to walk that middle ground.

[Icare dixit]

Does anyone think they are most productive/functional when mildly depressed, because things in general matter less?

I might be.

Edit:
I might be more productive when manic, but in a sowing way, not a reaping way. Synthesising ideas, seeing opportunities, creativity.

I'm not a perfectionist, but apparently some psychologists think I am. (It's probably because of the way I filled out their "personality" questionnaires.)

I'm definitely not more productive and functional when mildly depressed. I say "f*** it... f*** everything" lol

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I'm not a perfectionist, but apparently some psychologists think I am. (It's probably because of the way I filled out their "personality" questionnaires.)

I'm definitely not more productive and functional when mildly depressed. I say "f*** it... f*** everything" lol

I feel the same way, not wanting to do anything. Most if not all do, probably. My luck is that if I don't, it might not be able to do it at a later time due to perfectionism (and other stuff, maybe more so; really some delusional perfectionism that can get you completely stuck).

There may be two kinds: one based on doubt, the other conviction. Maybe it really hasn't much to do with personality at all. Or it may be a third type.

[token451]

I am a perfectionist about nearly everything. It is exhausting and my therapist has told me I need to be easier on myself but no luck on it so far. I always think about the questions I missed on a test even if I got the best grade in the class or the play in a game I screwed up on even though I am the only woman playing on a men's team...just can't seem to let **** go.