Ready to dive a little deep this morning, my friends? Let’s talk about our imperfections.

[Tweet “How to Embrace Your Imperfections via @TrainerPaige”]

I can remember, as a young girl, absolutely hating my butt and thighs. My thunder thighs, I used to (not-so) lovingly refer to them. It’s where I’ve always carried my weight, but at the age of 13 (and really up until about age 23) I really just couldn’t accept it. I don’t even want to think about how many hours, days, I wasted in my life hating on my butt and thighs.

I also hated my freckles.

I was (still am) an introvert.

I thought I wasn’t witty enough.

etc. etc. etc.

But it’s hard to regret a past that leads one now to a place closer to acceptance and embrace. It was never a moment of enlightenment, but it happened over time.

Over time, I learned not only accept my so called imperfections, but to embrace them, and to embrace my authentic self. Some side effects of embracing imperfections includes:

• Not caring (as much) about what others thing
• A much higher confidence in oneself
• Taking more risks, because the fear of failure is less
• Thusly, experiencing more joy, experiences, and opportunities

Now, although I’ve made some serious strides in confidence and embracing my “imperfections,” I still have some work to do, of course. I think we always will. But as long as we’re moving in the right direction, I feel we’re living life more fully.

But how to do that? Well, I can tell you that I’m NOT an expert on this topic, but I have actively learned a thing or two about being happy with my imperfect, authentic self. Experience and a heck of a lot of reading can make one see life differently.

How to Embrace Your Imperfections

1. Working with what you’ve got, instead of against it.

I finally realized that I’d always have somewhat thicker thighs and a bubble butt. Somewhere along the way I learned to stop hating on it, and began to embrace it. Instead of wearing long tops to cover it, which only made it worse, I embraced it.

But I’m not just talking about appearances, here. If you know you’re not a great public speaker, work at it by leaning into that uncomfortableness of speaking publicly. The more you embrace your imperfections, the more you work at them, and can look back and gain confidence by those unnerving situations.

2. Actively trying to be yourself every single day, instead of the you you think everyone want you to be.

In the words of Tina Fey, the less f*cks you give, the happier you’ll be. But on a different token, every time you do or say or act in a way that’s not authentic to you, you’re lying. You’re lying to yourself and to those you whom with you surround yourself.

Besides, if you’re always authentic, you’re going to surround yourself with people who truly enjoy being around the real you. No matter if you’re being real or being fake, you’re never going to please everyone. So we might as well be authentic!

3. Stop explaining yourself.

This one is SO dang hard for me, especially if I’m with someone whose feelings or thoughts differ from mine. Whether it’s what you’re wearing, how you feel about a certain topic, or what you’re eating, it’s so liberating to not feel the need to explain yourself.

For some reason, in our culture we LOVE excuses: an excuse why you’re not coming to the party, an excuse why you’re going to eat that donut, or an excuse as to why you’re not working out 6 days of the week. Just say no. Just eat it. Just exercise. or don’t. When you begin explaining your reasoning, you not only lose any power you had, but you’re also trying to justify why or why not you feel or act a certain way.

4. Get rid of the idea of what “perfect” is to you

-because it’s wrong. You’ll never be perfect because perfect doesn’t exist. And if you do get to what you think is perfect, I can guarantee it won’t feel perfect anymore, and that there will be something else to chase. Instead, work on being happy in your current situation, and realizing that it’s still ok to want more – or not!

5. Get rid of any toxic or negative relationships in your life.

Surround yourself only with those who UPLIFT you! I don’t have time for people in my life who make me doubt myself or question my thoughts, feelings, outlook, or appearance. It’s easy to determine who these people are: do they make you feel good or bad about yourself? Slowly begin to distance yourself from those in the latter category.

There are infinite ways to embrace your imperfections and live your most authentic life, but these are 5 that have really helped me. I’m sure you’re thinking of ways that have also helped you – please share them in the comments below!

How have you come to embrace your imperfections?

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