Making Imperfection Look Good

It was already 5p.m. when I had an idea for a blog post. I needed a good photo in which I looked at least better than decent and I had to hurry before daylight disappeared. The problem was, my evening to-do list refused to quit.

Dinner loomed because it's kind of my duty to feed my kids. Homework haunted, messes taunted from every room, and my energy level was rapidly decreasing. Yet, I had on my stubborn hat and was determined to accomplish.

The only photographer on hand was my daughter. She was hyper and unfocused like most eight year olds after school. This meant my sanity was questionable and getting a good pic would be a miracle.

Yet, I was determined.

Then I looked in the mirror at myself. My gym clothes clung to my body; my hair was dry, crunchy, and untamed; my nail polish was chipped and nails jagged like broken, bottom-of-the-bag potato chips; my feet were ashy; my underarms could use a touch-up; the jewel on one of the sandals I wanted to wear had come off. 

I definitely didn't have the time I needed to fix myself.

I could feel the familiar burning of "I'm about to lose my shit" starting to course my veins. Why did I ever leave the house looking such a mess anyway? Then something strange happened. All of sudden I just didn't care. I gave up on my need for perfection and ego boosts.

In other words... I had no more f*cks to give and I let go.

Instead of being determined to have things perfect, I decided to make imperfection look good. It was the truth of the moment after all. My truth.

I enjoy looking nice and taking good photos, but it wasn't happening this time. I had no time to put on the "oh I look good today" facade. It was what it was.

In that moment, my truth was being a tired mama with too much to do, who had already been busy all day. I was a mom with hungry, tired kids and we still had homework to survive. My prayer on the way home was to simply get through it without needing a drink!

I was perfectly me, imperfections and all; That's what you see in the blurry photos my daughter took that I'll forever cherish. Behind the tired, red eyes, etc, I hope you also see a happy black woman who reached a goal. I created a post as planned and flaunted my imperfections for anyone who dared to look.

My confidence and acceptance came from inside of me.

 

This isn't the post I initially planned to write but life goes on. Things don't always work according to our plans nor will it always be the perfect time or situation to accomplish a task. You won't always have what you need or want in the moment. You won't always feel like pushing through your fatigue or discouragement to achieve.

However, when you let go of perfection, accept the truth of the moment, and work with what you have, you can do much more than you think. Be confident in yourself and the higher power you believe in to help you.

I've decided that imperfection isn't so bad and sometimes, it's the exact thing you need to refocus your energy and intentions. That to me... is as close to perfection as it gets.

In case you missed this vlog: