So, I have this really difficult job teaching at a university here in Europe. Half of the time I don't even feel qualified. But, they hired me and pay me. Anyway, I am still relatively young, I teach 60 students and am a full-time student in a graduate program here (which also is difficult, as I am learning a difficult topic in a difficult language) and, on the side, I am translating for a professor here that is never satisfied (yet, still wants me to keep working).
I am a perfectionist and I am far from perfect in ALL of my positions here. While working and going to school in America, I could reach a minimal level of perfection (I knew I was good enough) in all of my studies and work.
I love that I have the opportunities I have here. I even met my boyfriend here, who is the most wonderful person. But, while I'm not necessarily failing at my work, I still don't feel like I'm succeeding. I feel like I'm literally just keeping my head above water.
This is causing me major stress. Like, real, internal stress that I try to suppress, but then shows up in the form of a HUGE swollen stress zit on my back or face.... these zits are NOT normal.
The things I do so far to combat the stress of not being good enough are jogging 4 x weekly, walking 3 x weekly, coming to this forum and reading other people's problems and triumphs (a nice change from academia, where no one is allowed to admit weakness).
But I need more ideas! How do you push the self-criticizing thoughts out of your head and just de-stress.... turn everything off??