We all have our flaws and imperfections but knowing this does not make it easier to embrace them. While imperfections make you who you are, failing to master the art of embracing your flaws can ultimately affect your self-esteem and confidence. Your imperfections are the essence of who you are; without them, you would not be because you are a mixture of your assets and imperfections. Embracing your flaws is the first step in learning to love yourself.
Embracing your flaws is not easy; it is a process that takes both work and effort, but it begins by seeing your worth. You will have to make changes in your life, such as tuning out any negativity that is playing in your mind about you and surrounding yourself with people who are positive and encouraging.
Instead of focusing on the imperfections, you do not like about yourself, use your flaws to your advantage by embracing that you cannot be who you are without excepting your imperfections. In addition, knowing that the best part of you is not your flaws but your ability to love every aspect of you, both your assets and imperfections is the key to accepting every aspect of who you are. No one is born into this world perfect, and it is this that makes you human.
Accepting the reality of your flaws prevents them from altering who you are as a woman and how you view yourself-worth. Embracing that your imperfections are part of you, without allowing them to define you, is the key that unlocks the door to living a life of freedom. If you resist the reality of your flaws, you will focus more on masking the imperfections than showcasing the best parts of who you are, your internal value. Proverbs 3:15 states that women are “More precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”
Speak positive affirmations into your life words carry power; what you say to yourself mentally or verbally is the trajectory your life will go. When I say to myself, “You look beautiful today,” despite my flaws, it resonates in my spirit, and I feel and walk like the beautiful woman I am. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21); so, you must use words to speak life. Talk to yourself like you are speaking to someone you love because loving yourself first is how you learn to love someone else.
Know your worth based on who God says you are, not by the world’s standards or definition; knowing this prevents you from being defined or impacted by the negativity of others. Your flaws make you different from others, don’t make the mistake of trying to fit in. Look around at famous women who embrace their imperfections and gracefully show them off to the public. Ashley Graham was the first plus-size model to be featured in Sports Illustrated in 2015, and she has always been authentic when discussing her body, showing off the cellulates on her stomach and thighs. Graham states that “I work out, do my best to eat well, and love the skin that I am in. And I’m not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps, or cellulite, and you shouldn’t be either.”
Surround yourself with people who support you. According to research, having a support system improves one’s overall well-being by acting as a motivating source and stress reliever. After being amongst negativity all week, being able to surround yourself with positive people will reaffirm your worth and help clear out the negativity you encountered that week. Human beings are social creatures, and as much as self-love is where one finds the strength to accept imperfections, or flaws, having additional support counts as a backup.
Embracing your flaws or imperfections is not an easy process. However, it is a necessary process that will take time. With prayer and the willingness to work at it, accepting who you are, the flaws, and the assets will allow you to turn your imperfections into strengths. Once you embrace your weakness and combine them with the positive characteristics of who you are, you become the ‘Internally Confident’ woman God created you to be!
