Perfectionism often shows up as a quiet yet powerful force in people’s lives. On the surface, it can look like high standards, strong motivation, or a drive to excel. Underneath, though, perfectionism is rarely about wanting things to be flawless—it’s about wanting to feel safe.

When we talk about trust—trusting ourselves, trusting others—it’s easy to imagine it as something we either have or don’t. But different parts of us hold very different opinions about whether trust is safe. One part might be yearning for closeness, while another part feels the urge to run and protect.