A simple moment at the kitchen sink became an unexpected turning point. As warm water moved across my hands and morning light settled like dawn in Gyeongju, I saw my “over-” patterns for what they were—survival strategies, not standards to perfect. This reflection explores how identity softens when we allow “good enough” to be enough.

For first-gen professionals, perfectionism isn’t vanity. It’s survival—born from sacrifice, representation, and expectation. This article explains why perfectionism is exhausting and offers tools to loosen its grip without betraying your roots.