I respectfully yet completely disagree with @Lightning @Allie @bluemukaki @phillis @mollypop51797 and @jaytkay. In my view, striving for perfection should never lead to dissatisfaction, much less suicide.
First of all, I think “perfect” is personal. When I look in the mirror in the morning I think “This is how you look. It’s not how you want to look, but that’s ok.” I have an idea in mind of what I want to be like, and I set discrete goals. Some weeks I set goals in my information intake, to help my brain. Some days I set goals on watching my back to improve my posture. I’m trying to inch my way closer to that image.
Following that, striving for perfection should not be frustrating. When I was brushing my teeth 10 minutes ago I looked at myself and noticed that my face is looking much cleaner. Am I mad as all hell that it’s not perfect? No, I’m happy that I’m getting there. What’s more satisfying than knowing you’re improving yourself, that you have a better, future self to look forward to if you continue?
I also completely disagree that striving for perfection will in any way obscure your true self. I even asked a question about this. The response was that improving yourself and being yourself can be the same thing.
There is a difference between striving for perfection and being obsessed with it. One is healthy, one is definitely not.