How To Live Your Best Imperfect Life

by Natalie Alexander

Here are a few tips:

Let Go

This is not the same as giving up. What you need to let go of is the expectations of others for your life. Set goals for your life and challenge yourself. But, do so with goals that satisfy how you see yourself living. Don’t use someone else’s measuring stick to chart your path.

Love Everyone, Beginning with Yourself

This is the biggest tip. Shaming and blaming, jumping on the bandwagon, trying to fit in and other actions stem from not wanting attention paid to our flaws and shortcomings. Some people will compromise their values and beliefs to fit in and not be ridiculed by others.

What is the cost to your life? Is it worth trading in for the opinions of other human beings just like you? Invest in yourself by taking the time to accept who you are in love. Then and only then can you find places and people to whom you “belong” as an authentic “you” and not a cardboard cutout.

Forget Perfection

It is a pipe dream. Each person has their vision of what’s essential to their life. Your vision is the one to hold on. Find ways to live your life around it. Share it with others. Be vulnerable with it. Find out how to be the best person that you can become in the time you have on this planet.

Transform Yourself

Everyone evolves. The person you were yesterday is not the person you will be ten years from now, and that is how it should be. What it shouldn’t be is you chasing an unrealistic expectation based on society or friends who would rather you reflect them instead of who you are. If you desire changes in your attitude, your body, your career or your family life, do so from a position of acceptance and love of the current state of things and not to impress someone else.

Trust Yourself

Who knows you better than you? Take a step in a direction. If it doesn’t work, then change course. Have faith in the process that is your life. Take the time to get to know your likes, dislikes, dreams, hopes, pet peeves and the rest. All of your other relationships stem from the one you have with you. It is hard to honestly give to another person if you don’t first have these things within yourself.

We have a fascination with perfection. Instead of finding nirvana, most people find disappointment, anxiety, judgment and a face in the mirror that is not their own. Who you are is more important than trying to fit a particular shape or mold. The world is waiting for you and your unique gifts, talents, and presence. It will be deprived of a shining light if you sell yourself short by conforming to the wishes of the world instead of the God-given potential that is waiting inside of you to burst forth.

Living your best imperfect life is not a flaw but a privilege. When you take the courage to be free and present yourself as you are, unconsciously, you allow others to be themselves as well. And that’s a win-win for everyone.