I’ve always been the odd one out. A square peg in a sea of circles. Growing up, I never quite fit into the societal moulds neatly shaped for acceptance. But you know what? I’m all right with that.
You may wish to listen to the audio version of this article
My story begins in the small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. Childhood days were marked by raised eyebrows and hushed whispers as I explored the world with a different lens. While my peers strived to conform, I revelled in my uniqueness. Perhaps it was the twinkle in my eye or the way I saw beauty in the unconventional, but I was always drawn to the edges of the picture where things seemed a bit blurry, a bit imperfect. I saw the world in all colours, but people around me often saw in one or two colour. I mean that’s ok, as long as you are aware that you have chosen deliberately to see the world bi-coloured (and not trying to prove you wrong). I too sometimes see the world in a black and white way, but most of the times life comes to me in different colours and feelings.
One vivid memory encapsulates the essence of my journey. It was a school talent show, an annual event where conformity reigned supreme. The stage was reserved for singers, dancers, and those with “acceptable” talents. Amidst the polished performances, I decided to take the stage with a guitar and play a mixture of music styles all jammed together… there was jazz, classical, heavy metal, pop, folk, you name it. I poured my heart into those strings that exposed my soul, celebrating the beauty of imperfections.
The response was not what I expected. A sea of puzzled faces met my gaze, and the applause, if you could call it that, was polite at best. But in that moment, I felt something profound—a connection with my true self, a realization that fitting in wasn’t my path, and that was perfectly fine. – But hey, there were so many melodies coming out from that guitar, just not the mainstream ones. I genuinely wanted to connect the hearts and heads around me… in my own way.
Lesson One: Embracing imperfections often means standing alone, and that’s where the magic happens.
As I ventured into adulthood, the pressure to conform intensified. The corporate world, with its neatly tailored suits and rehearsed handshakes, felt like a foreign land. Yet, I navigated through it, never compromising the essence of who I was. My desk became a canvas for quirky doodles and inspiring quotes, a sanctuary where creativity thrived in the midst of conformity.
One fateful day, a colleague noticed my unconventional workspace and chuckled, “You’re not like the others, are you?” Little did they know; it was the highest compliment I could receive. Like really, why would I be like others, I’m not a copy-paste person, where is the excitement here?
Lesson Two: Authenticity is your greatest strength; it’s the beacon that attracts kindred spirits.
Love came knocking, as it often does when you least expect it. In the realm of relationships, societal expectations whispered words of conformity. The pressure to fit into predefined roles and timelines weighed heavily. But, love, when genuine, is a force that transcends societal norms.
I found a partner who cherished my quirks and celebrated in the imperfections we brought to the table. Together, we danced to the rhythm of our own song, creating a melody that echoed the beauty of an unconventional love story. Of course, the world of red hearts and pink bubbles didn’t last forever, it came to an end, like everything in this world. Imperfection offered me the life above clouds, with roses and red wine, in the end the same imperfection took it away.
Lesson Three: True connections thrive when you allow yourself to be seen in all your imperfect glory.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. A significant turning point occurred when a career setback forced me to re-evaluate my path. The whispers of societal expectations grew louder, urging me to conform, to play it safe. Yet, in the face of adversity, I chose a different path—one paved with uncertainty, but also with the promise of authenticity.
I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, embracing imperfections not as flaws but as brush strokes on the canvas of my life. It led me to unexpected places, connecting me with a tribe of like-minded individuals who celebrated the beauty of being perfectly imperfect. But you know, at the end of the day difference is not particular. It’s just simple difference, that is finding a different way to the same place where others are going.
Lesson Four: The road less travelled may be uncertain, but it’s where you find your true self.
As the pages of my story continue to unfold, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of embracing imperfections. Society’s expectations may still cast a long shadow, but I’ve learned to dance in the sunlight of my own authenticity.
In the end, it’s not about fitting into a mold but about breaking free from them. It’s about celebrating the uniqueness that sets us apart and finding solace in the knowledge that being different is not a flaw but a masterpiece in the making. So, here’s to embracing imperfections, to standing proudly in the echo of our true selves, and to the beauty that unfolds when we dare to be gloriously, authentically, and unapologetically imperfect.
Afraid to embrace who you really are? Well as an epilogue let me tell you the story Maria Theresa’s treasure chest (Queen of Kingdom of Hungary):
Mária Terézia donates her treasure chest to a retiring bodyguard, on the condition that he only should open it when he is in an unsalvageable situation and does not exchange it for unnecessary things. The bodyguard kept his word and won’t let anyone in his family open it. Since it was not done, he dies without anyone opening the chest. The chest, on the other hand, was passed on to the next generation as a family tradition, but it was never opened there either. And it goes from generation to generation. Until a family member got into a situation of necessity and opened it. And guess what? The chest was empty! And this symbolized that even in the worst situation one could count on the help found in the chest, this strengthened their self-confidence, and they went through many, many bitter things with this knowledge that there would be help. Here, in fact, faith and awareness are the winning and empowering powers.
So, my advice is that if people are telling you that you aren’t perfect, that’s fine. Believe in your imperfection, embrace it and smile!
Brilliant article, thank you for sharing.
It reminds me of the journey I have been on for self acceptance and compassion, greatly helped by the work of Brenè Brown and Kristin Neff.
The words about creating your own masterpiece reminded me of the song about this by Jessie J – Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/track/4PYiIgzcp4o5pEYji1xY9q?si=4f605c3287834476
Thanks Nicky! Good tune by Jessie J.!