Seek Self-Acceptance, Not Perfection | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Seek Self-Acceptance, Not Perfection

Life is not picture perfect and that is fine.

67
Seek Self-Acceptance, Not Perfection
Victoria's Secret

It starts as a small goal: to get in shape, to earn the highest grade on a test, to get organized, to make more friends, etc. For some, a taste of success in anything can escalate to an all-consuming desire to be even better. For others, being mediocre in anything simply is not up to par. For many, the pursuit of perfection is never-ending, draining, and unhealthy.

However, the pursuit of perfection does not have to be as obvious. Although a few may claim to be selfless saints, the desire to have more or to be better is part of human nature. No one likes to appear weak or flawed, so we seek improvement and present the best versions of ourselves. We carefully cultivate a lot of what we do in order to create the most appealing image through a variety of medium: what we say, what we wear, where we go, who we associate ourselves with, and especially what we post on social media. If your life were exactly like what your Instagram shows, you would always wear the most flattering clothing, go to cool places, hang out with numerous friends, eat awesome food, and do fun things.

Yet, that is not reality. In fact, that is not anyone's reality. In the gallery “Your Story Matters” photographer Erika Forney displays flattering photos of beautiful people accompanied by a caption of with what they were struggling. Everyone has some dark experience or part of their lives. The beautiful model you envy may suffer from depression (like Cara Delevingne). The guy who seems to be loved by everyone may be dealing with a learning disability (like Tim Tebow). The actress you look up to may be experiencing social anxiety (like Jennifer Lawrence).

We are all broken. We have all failed. We have all done things we regret. We have all gone through difficult life situations.

What do we do then? We own up to it. We take both the good and the bad aspects of our lives and acknowledge that all of these pieces are what make us unique.

Instead of idolizing the ones that hide their imperfections, admire the confidence of the ones that own them and wear them with pride. Disregard those who tell you need to be someone other than who you really are and those who only present the best version of themselves. Look up to heroes such as Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban on her way to school and overcame this tragedy, owning her story to improve the lives of others, and Amy Schumer, a comedian who acknowledges her flaws and is unafraid to be purely herself. Work to love yourself and be the best version of yourself, not of someone else.

Remember: perfection is not possible. However, don’t let the inevitably of imperfection cast a shadow over your dream. As Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can achieve excellence.” Know your limits, embrace your flaws, and work to be the happiest, healthiest, and most balanced version of you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

243
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

123
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198921
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20102
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments