“I am not perfect, I never brush my hair!” When I was younger, I used to swear by this quote. It defined who I felt I was at the time, imperfect: due to the most simplistic things in life. So why now has everything changed? Why for every year since then have I tried to become something I'm not? Why have I become so obsessed with trying to be perfect? It was so difficult because for a while I didn't even know what the definition of perfect really meant; with a ever-changing society I think the definition never remains the same. Who even defines what perfect is? It's the prime example of a diachronic change...a change I was also trying to make within myself. After all this time, I think I have finally come to the realisation that I...am not a perfect human being.
I am not a perfect human being because I don't look right. My nose is too big and I wear too much eyeliner; and it's true that I rarely brush my hair.
I am not a perfect human being because I send too many pictures of my cat to people. I am obsessed because I love him a lot.
I am not a perfect human being because my grades are not always the best. I aim too high too fall flat on my face. I procrastinate more than I actually do work.
I am not a perfect human being because I don't always reply to my messages straight away.
I am not a perfect human being because I cannot save money. I am constantly broke.
I am not a perfect human being because I laugh in awkward situations; if someone needs my help or comfort – I am too awkward to conform to societal expectations of a normal reaction.
I am not a perfect human being because I only learnt how to be a good friend when I realised I was on my own.
I am not a perfect being because I overreact every single situation I am in.
I am not a perfect human being because I've caused myself permanent evidence of a struggle.
I am not a perfect human being because I've hurt people both intentionally and unintentionally. I am against bullying but I have said mean things about people whom I openly do not like.
I am not a perfect human being because I have anxiety. I struggle to order food or ask people for things, simple things in life I cannot perform because of this feeling inside holding me back.
I am not a perfect human being because I have fallen in love. And out of love.
I am not a perfect human being because somebody told me I wasn't.
I am not a perfect human being because perfect human beings do not exist.
To be 'perfect' would to be a lie. We shouldn't have to try and change ourselves to fit someone else’s definition of perfect. All of the said things above shouldn't start with the phrase “I am not a perfect human being”, they should start with “I am myself because...and that's okay, I make mistakes.” No one should ever be made to feel like their flaws are what is wrong with the world, that their mistakes define them because they don't. I am tired of living my life trying to change myself to fit the needs of everyone else. This is one of the hardest things I have learnt...I cannot please everyone. If there is anything I need to change about myself, it'll be because I want to change it. Not anyone else. Please understand that we all make mistakes. We fall, we learn, we move on. That's called life.
Be yourself. Be happy. Be imperfect.
“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become”