Perfectionism and the pursuit of perfect happiness

The source of another article is copied and added to "possible sources". Meanwhile, I have noted five websites, two YouTube videos and three books, some with over 150 pages. Whilst I research the topic of perfectionism, I experience the problem in my own body. I should concentrate on what is essential, but I simply don't want to overlook any important source. And perhaps the next source is the one that will complete the article after all? It should be perfect. Not too short, so that it contains sufficient information and ideas. Not too long, so that readers don't put it aside prematurely. And it has to be good. Good enough. The text should meet my standards. But can it really? A single text. Words of a completely imperfect person? 
I bite my lip and think of the image of a perfectionist person that I have in mind. This image, which seems to be miles away from my own: The being stands in front of a glass mirror. It looks at itself. Critically. There are so many imperfect parts, so many unfinished projects. Both physically and spiritually. Far from perfection. The being takes a deep breath, paints over the obvious individual parts and puts on its usual poker face. The shadows under its eyes are simply covered up, the worries in its heart simply suppressed. Finally, it straightens up and puts on a seemingly happy smile. Then it leaves the house. At work successful, popular, talented. It always does its best. In the evenings at home it is kissed by a flawless being. Materially provided for, this being is regarded by others with admiring and envious glances. "The being is perfect", they tell themselves and doubt themselves. A vicious circle built on masks, façades and appearances. But in the end, this being, having seemingly achieved everything in life, is extremely unhappy. It feels lonely, is imperfect, sets itself impossible standards and has distanced itself far too much from itself and its true identity. Instead of showing itself, it only shows a mask. It wants to be perfect, strives for universal perfection, which can never truly exist on earth and never will.
These were my first thoughts on perfectionism. I looked at a negative image of a deeply unhappy, unfamiliar person. What I overlooked in this observation, however, is the fact that I too am affected by perfectionism. Differently, that is certain. But the insatiable desire for perfection does not spare me. It probably spares no one. Regardless of whether people want to see it or not. Probably everyone dreams somewhere in their heart of the perfect life. Whatever that may look like.

The Duden defines perfectionism as "excessive striving for perfection" and describes the use of the word as slightly derogatory. Synonyms for "perfect" are "flawless", "free from defects", "accomplished" and "complete". According to the Duden, a perfectionist is a "person who excessively strives for perfection".
In the book "Overcoming Perfectionism – Idleness Instead of Self-Optimisation" by Niels Spitzer, perfectionism is described as the striving for high standards, for perfection and flawlessness. Perfectionists are people who set high standards. They want to achieve the best possible outcome. The starting point of perfectionism is the conviction that there is a perfect solution that can be achieved, whereby perfection is in principle possible. Perfectionist demands can relate to the entire life of a person or only to individual aspects. There are also various forms of perfectionism, which can relate either to the individual, to the social environment or, emanating from the person, to other people. Perfectionists always think in a performance-oriented manner. Fundamentally, perfectionism can be good and bad and is initially regarded as relatively neutral. The book also speaks of "too much of a good thing". 
In a video contribution by ARTE, a distinction is made between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism. Healthy perfectionism is associated with great effort, strong endeavour and much ambition. Failure to achieve the goal is accepted. Unhealthy perfectionism, on the other hand, places great strain on and overwhelms the affected persons. They set themselves unattainable standards and ideals. Furthermore, those affected have a fear of not being good enough for themselves and others and therefore cannot accept fallibility. A constant, inner, combative critic speaks from within these people. 
"Die Welt" writes in an article about pathological perfectionism of insatiable dissatisfaction. Whether perfectionism is ultimately pathological or not depends particularly on how one deals with failure.
Spitzer explains in the aforementioned book when perfectionism becomes pathological. This is the case when there is a connection between self-devaluation and being unable to meet one's own standards. This clinical perfectionism is associated with physical and psychological strain and overload. Physically, this can manifest as sleep problems and exhaustion. The person overexerts themselves, procrastinates and loses their spontaneity. Many affected individuals have rigid rituals. Psychologically, it involves strong negative emotions such as shame, fear and despondency. Positive emotions are sometimes entirely absent or very rare. Furthermore, clinical perfectionism comes with a high stress level, which also increases the risk of possible burnout. Additionally, there is a connection between clinical perfectionism and other mental illnesses such as depression, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety and eating disorders. Affected individuals can no longer control their perfectionism and can never be satisfied. A central point is also that the individual's self-worth is made dependent on their own success. This means that a person can either be a hero or a complete failure, with nothing in between. Even if a goal is once achieved, those affected are not satisfied with it and only demand more of themselves. 
Self-instrumentalisation is problematic in this context, as the person regards themselves as a machine and thereby loses their individuality. 
In the aforementioned article by "Die Welt", it is stated that the roots of perfectionism are often found in upbringing. There it can arise through performance orientation, emotional coldness and low appreciation.
Oberkliniken also writes that unclear structures or excessive control in upbringing can trigger perfectionism. Parents as role models and other factors such as environment, temperament and disposition can also promote it. Furthermore, there are also social and cultural influences such as school and the overall societal value that play a role here. 
Spitzer writes that society encompasses the striving for perfection and self-improvement, whereby perfectionism is constantly present in our modern performance-oriented society.
TRU DOKU addresses the topic of compulsive perfectionism in a video. The woman in it suffers from the fact that everything in her life must go according to plan and meet her standards. She never relies on her feelings, but on structures. Others are allowed to make mistakes, she is not. Everything must be perfect. Nevertheless, she knows that she can never be good enough. 
"Are we never beautiful enough?", sings singer Lina Maly. Does this striving for perfect perfection ever really make us happy? And would perfect perfection not be incredibly boring and featureless?
Whilst I write these lines, I am in danger of losing myself in detail multiple times. It is difficult to be satisfied with imperfection when I have striven for perfection. But in the end, everything is imperfect. And is the world not perfect precisely because of this? Through the perfect imperfection that surrounds us.