Chloe Cullen

Perf Chloe Cullen

We believe perfectionism is the gift of Oscar-winning directors, self-made millionaires, and valedictorians.




Comparing ourselves to the flawlessly accomplished reminds us of how imperfect we personally are. We create a negative loop of constant dissatisfaction and distort reality to say we are nothing. And that, my friends, is the glamor of perfectionism.




Perf: The Unspoken Flaws in a "Perfect" Culture explores what it really means to live in a culture that encourages "perfection." This book uncovers the truth beneath the romanticized mindset of a perfectionist and their unrelenting quest to do, have, and be the best in the intersection of perfectionism, mental health, and mainstream culture.




While Chloe unpacks The American Dream or socioeconomic institutions such as education and market-based economies, she jabs humor at her own perfectionism as a student, employee, family member, and partner.




By exploring everything from celebrity examples like Billie Eilish, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Gordon Ramsay, to chicken parmesan recipes, to stand-up comedy, Perf points out where perfectionism becomes dangerous, despite larger cultural messages that tell us we need to earn our worth.




If you are tired of seeking out other people's approval or want to laugh a little bit at someone else's perfectionism, this is the book for you.