Perfect Imperfections

Insecurities are a funny little thing, aren't they?

There are so many things we dislike about ourselves, but why?

The other day, I mentioned something to a friend of mine. See, they had this little quirk about them that I always thought was so darling. When I brought it up, however, they were really embarrassed. It was something they had dealt with for a long time and were very insecure about it. I immediately felt terrible for bringing it up. But see, that little "flaw" was what made that person special to me. It was something I had always found so endearing, and rather adorable.

So why do we get so dang caught up in what we see as imperfections? Maybe the things I hate about myself others find charming. And the thing is, even when others tell us that they like something about ourselves that we dislike, we fail to see the compliment and instead fixate on the fact that they noticed our flaw, completely disregarding the fact that they like it. And don't they always say that confidence is so attractive? So how about we start accepting compliments when they're given instead of shutting them down. Here's a personal example:
I've always hated my nose. When I was younger, my older siblings always told me I had a ski-jump nose cause it swoops up at the end. I always wished I could change it and have less of a round ball on the end of my face. So when people say something like "Your nose is so cute!" it immediately brings up my insecurity and I shut them down, saying how my nose is so terrible and I hate it. Why don't I just show appreciation for the compliment? Maybe my nose is what makes me special. Maybe my nose is what others find attractive in me. Maybe if I took pride in my features, others would better enjoy being around me. And the same goes for all my other insecurities, whether they be physical or personality-related.

I think I learn a lot from observing how I view people. The things I find attractive in people are often the things that make them imperfect. The things they probably consider flaws, themselves. I like the way your forearms are really pale, or that you're a little boney, and how your smile is crooked, or you're shorter than most. I like how your laugh is so loud, or the way you don't make eye contact, and your dorky sense of humor, or how you're openly emotional. I like that you're "imperfect" (by whose standards, I don't know) because it makes me feel comfortable being my imperfect self. These "imperfections" you see in yourself are what drew me to you. They're part of why I love you.

Now to start seeing myself the way I want you to see yourself.

Insecurities are a funny little thing, aren't they?

Why be insecure about the things that make people love you?