Embracing Your Flaws

Self-acceptance is something we all struggle with – both men and women alike. From childhood, we are molded and shaped by our family, peers, mentors, and environment.

Unfortunately, we tend to lose our true self-identity (who we are, what we enjoy and what we become). It even gets worse when we are young adults as we are often confused about what we should do or what we are good at. We are often forced to attend a specific college or university, major in degrees of no real interest, work a job that we hate or even marry and have children because it’s expected of us.

We come to realize that we are flawed individuals that allowed our environments to dictate who we should be and why without taking a pause in life to see what truly makes us content and satisfied. (Notice I did not mention the word, “Happy.”)

Happy is what the external world can possibly provide which is the source of tangible things usually defined by fortune, pleasure or delight but joy is something intangible and we receive despite our challenges, circumstances or difficult situations.

Somehow, you walk through life with blindfolds, blinders or a microscope either ignoring the desires of your heart, focusing only on what’s in front of you with no idea of what’s happening around you or analyzing everything about yourselves and everyone that crosses your path.

With the impact of social media, it seems like your flaws are much more magnified as you compare yourselves and your life to others.

It’s easy to lose sight of your voice, dreams, desires, goals, and everything that makes you unique. Everyone wants to sound the same, act the same, and look the same. Your true identity and authentic self is lost in a world of comparison and competition.

Sometimes, you can be your own worst self-critic and fill your mind with such negative talk that it can self-sabotage all that you set out to accomplish.

It takes inner work to begin to accept your differences and embrace your flaws regardless of worldly influences.

Once you begin to love who you truly are, you will be more accepting of others and their shortcomings.

Bridging the gap will involve diligence and persistence. There is no such thing as a finish line and it will always be a work in progress. In other words, self-acceptance is a growth journey that continuously evolves. There are no short cuts. 

Here are a few tips to help build your self-awareness and confidence in becoming the best version of you.

• Embrace daily affirmations that strengthen your mind and soul.
• Take time to indulge in a self-care routine. Make sure you focus on all areas of your mind, body and soul.
• Write a list of all of your accomplishments to acknowledge just how far you've come along the way
• Set goals and develop a plan to achieve them. 
• Trust your intuition
• Spend time alone. Turn off your phone, TV and social media notifications.
• Pray for wisdom and strength.
• Take a leap of faith. Do something outside of your comfort zone.
• Trust the process.

When you embrace your flaws, you're accepting the parts of yourself that you find hard to love even if others are not aware of them.  Whether it be physical, emotional or situational, your flaws become much smaller when you give less power to them. As you begin to let go of other's expectations and opinions, you will find peace and inner joy that can't be reckoned with.

Cheers to the journey!