Our entire life we want to be a person we perceive to be as perfect. This idea of perfection is formed by various people we see around, the ones our parents have compared us with, the celebrities and the way they are portrayed, the peers and relatives we assume to have a perfect life. Isn’t it why we idolize celebrities? Because we love the idea of their lives. We perceive it to be perfect. How about for a change accept that the life that you are leading although has flaws is imperfectly perfect?
A year ago, around this time, an event in my life jolted me and I felt for a few days I was trapped and had fallen into the web I could have never come out of. The feeling where I could never have my freedom. But, I did come out of the situation. That day on I has been on a journey of knowing myself, my flaws and most importantly accepting myself the way I am. It was more of finding purpose, fulfillment,peace and self-discovery.Life is too short to feel threatened the same way ever again.
Today, self-reliance and self-acceptance have been on my mind. Like all of us, I had a mirage of perfectionism in my mind. I longed to be tall so that the clingy saree suited me, or so I was told repeatedly that I believed it was true and longed for slender and a tall figure. But my friends with such figures had a different idea of the perfect saree body. This was just a simple example of my idea of perfection physically. I broke so many of my own self-made perfection ideas and those around me thought was a perfect thing this year
We all are in this constant rut of blending in and modifying ourselves to what the society deems to be perfect. Be it a career, relationships, dressing or lifestyle. If you fear of being the odd one out by doing what you think is perfectly alright and instead follow the crowd, you will loose your individuality one day down the lane. And to stick up to your thoughts and beliefs needs a lot of self-acceptance. You can never convince your loved ones if you aren’t convinced yourself. Learn to validate your beliefs and thoughts and the world will believe in the unique you.
Often we are taught and made to believe in a few norms which over time stands invalid. The real challenge is to come out of that and do the thing that your inner-self desires to.
A year later today,when I write this, I know my body is just perfect to drape on that saree that lies in the cupboard. I am as beautiful and successful as the other person anyone compares me to. I exercise not to attain the perfect body but to stay fit. I am in no competition with anyone but myself. In so many ways have I embraced myself and in turn learned things about myself and how different I am.
With this I leave this powerful quote for you to ponder on,
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Have you truly unleashed your inner self?
I think, fortunately I have also realized my inner peace and practising self acceptance. This is relaxing to the mind.
Self-acceptance doesn’t come in easy but the day we make room for it in our lives, life gets happier and simpler.
So glad you could learn to be at a happy place with where and how you are in life.
Thank you for the food for thought Ramya 🙂
Keep up the fantastic work <3
My Era recently posted…In pursuit of the purpose of my life
Very apt quote that is. I must take a lot of maturity and experience to reach that level of self acceptance. All of us constantly wish to be like someone ‘better’ than us. It’s wonderful what you’ve achieved.
Dashy recently posted…First Year Troubles #MondayMusings
Wonderful reflection Ramya! It is amazing how much I can relate to it, and now I know that there are millions of souls out there thinking the same. As I too went through a similar phase and since we all are a part of this society, that strangles our inner uniqueness, it reaffirms the thought that so many out there are caught in it and are trying to break it and hopefully will be freed from it. Here’s to everyone trying courageously to be themselves!
I love this quote….had wanted to write on this, but couldn’t…..will do that later…..Yes, it so important to be yourself, especially when the going gets tough…..
Self acceptance is never easy because we always set standards that unreal! But I am glad that you have learned to accept yourself. We all have our flaws! And yes, hugs dear! And you know who is going to scold you if you don’t love yourself the way you are 😉
Beautiful thoughts Ramya! Shakespeare’s words ‘To Thine ownself be true’ rings clear till date! Accepting oneself as is, is the path to progress. Procrastination will only hold you back. I wrote a poem on similar lines – Why can’t one be content? Glad we think alike, yet again 😉
Yes, I am trying to unleash my inner self. It took really long for me to remove all negativeness (which was created by my surroundings) and make myself think positive all the time. Even now, sometimes I start feeling low, but I recover myself very quickly. It’s an aspiring write up, and gives a positive energy to a person feeling low/negative about something.
P.S. Ignore my grammar. Trying to improve day by day 🙂
Vishal Jain recently posted…The Way You Take It – Part 5
HI Ramya, Self-acceptance can be really trying at times. and, at times it takes you to the point of a nervous breakdown. Been there and I know how it feels to be. However, I am at peace with myself now.
glad, you too have come out of the clutches. Cheers to you.
Ajay recently posted…Handprints – A song for Ishaan
HI Ramya, I think we all go through such phases in life. At times it pushes us to the brim of a breakdown. Those who are able to gather themselves at that moment need a pat on their back. Kudos to you for coming out the clutches of self-defiance and welcome to self acceptance.
ajay recently posted…Handprints – A song for Ishaan
So thought provoking. SIcne childhood be it the parents, peer, family or strangers every one is there to point out something or other which is not as per their confirmation or norms . When we are young and have an innocent mind you cannot get but influenced by these comments. More power to you.
Well written. I wish we were taught about the importance of self-love and self-acceptance in school. Because of the lack of self-love, we have the highest percentage of depressed individuals among us these days. It is perfectly okay to be imperfect, that is what life has taught me as well.
Ramya, when I read the first line of your post, I felt like I had been punched right into my stomach by my guilty conscience! That’s because i, too, feel at times that maybe I don’t measure up to some people. I wonder what they perceive about me. I know very well that I have been made perfectly by God, but at times, the nagging feeling that I lack in something somewhere gnaws at me from within and drives me insane! It takes time to come back to my senses, and when I do, it feels better. I feel relieved, proud of myself, in fact! Maybe it happens so because sometimes we compare ourselves with others, who we think are perfect,and drive ourselves up the wall. It’s time we accepted ourselves what who we are and took pride in ourselves, in our imperfectly-perfect selves! 🙂
That was a wonderful post!
Beautiful thoughts Ramya and very well expressed. How tough it is to self love and self accept ourselves? I am on a similar journey and could relate to this post whole heartedly. Kudos my wonder girl!!
Beautifully written Ramya! We need to learn to embrace our imperfections too & self-acceptance only can take us to that level of peace inside out.
Well said Ramya. I used to think I was a perfectionist until a close friend pointed it out that I may just be hiding behind that thought to cover up for my failures. Since then I have stopped telling myself and others that I am a perfectionist.