The Pressure to Be Perfect

In this episode, Ananya Desireddi opens up about the quiet pressure so many students carry: the need to be perfect. She shares her personal journey navigating high expectations, fear of failure, and the weight of wanting to make her parents proud. If you've ever tied your worth to your grades, your performance, or how “put together” you seem — this episode is for you.

Together, we’ll unpack:

• What perfectionism really looks like in student life

• Where that pressure comes from

• How to shift your mindset from perfection to progress

• Gentle practices and reflection prompts to release unrealistic expectations

• A growth challenge you can start this week

This isn’t about lowering your standards — it’s about freeing yourself to grow.