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A Love Letter To My Flaws

I love being imperfect. I love every little thing that makes my body and mind uniquely me.

And saying this isn’t something that has come easily. It took a lot of hard work and growing up and realizing what society thinks is “perfect” is, in fact, a completely impossible fabrication.  

There is no such thing as perfection when it comes to human beings. So I accept being imperfectly perfect. Because to me, that’s all I need to be.

I just need to be me and that’s perfect enough. And I can thank all of my so-called “flaws” for that.

To the lines that have formed on my young face. Thank you for showing everyone how much laughter fills my life. 

Because it shows that no matter how much craziness happens in my life, I still find so many ways to make myself smile.

Thank you for also proving that my life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. 

I have spent entire days worrying and in a state of confusion, and those wrinkles are there for those reasons. And I’m not mad about it. Because they also show how strong I am.

To every bump and crevice and crease on my body. Thank you for showing my love of cooking. 

And while working out can be an enjoyable experience, sometimes my love of food and tastes overpowers society’s flawed viewpoint of needing a supermodel’s body.

Thank you for proving to me that sometimes you can’t fight the genes you were born with. It’s nice to be reminded that a part of my family’s history, as annoying as they may be, lives within me.

Thank you for showing me that people come in all shapes and sizes – and that’s perfectly okay. I wasn’t meant to walk the runway, but I’ve got talents I can use in other ways.

To each and every scar on my body.

Thank you for showing me that time does heal all wounds. No matter how long it may take. And that sometimes, there is a permanent mark left behind and that’s okay.

To my overthinking, anxious mind. 

Thank you for teaching me to analyze situations. While sometimes you drive me absolutely crazy, learning to really take a look at situations and think before speaking has helped me in more ways than you know.

Thank you for teaching me patience. I know sometimes it takes a while for somethings to get off my mind, but I’ve learned that at some point they will. 

I just have to take a few deep breaths and be patient.

To every other imperfection and flaw someone else may see on my body or in my mind. Thank you for showing me the right people I should have in my life.

I know not to let those in who will only tear me down. 

But instead, let those in who will lift me up and help me learn and grow. Because who wants to be surrounded with people who only adds negativity in their life?

Not me.

So to every flaw and imperfection, I love you for making me who I am. For making me stronger and wiser. 

And I hope someday everyone can learn to love theirs just like I do. Maybe then, the world won’t feel the need to strive for perfection as much as it does now. 

For more of Ariel’s work, “like” her Facebook fan page.