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Accepting Your Flaws
By Ruben, a college freshman
Is there something about your physical appearance that does not quite match the standard of beauty? If you said yes, then you are human. If you said no, you must be a Photoshopped picture in a magazine. No one in the entire history of the world has been close to being perfection. No matter what, everyone is a little off from the idealized image of true beauty. This is because we are human, and therefore imperfect, different. An even truer reality is that no one thinks that they themselves are perfect. Everyone has some problem with the way they look no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem to the rest of us. These small variations in appearances and the paranoia over them lead us to dislike parts of ourselves. We call the imperfections on our bodies flaws.
Flaws have such a negative definition and only bring hurtful feelings for most people. What can be done about flaws and the role they play in our lives? Flaws can influence the activities we take part in, the people we talk to, and what we wear. The truth is that the evilness we generate towards flaws can hold us back immensely. The worst part is that we create most of the bad feelings that come from flaws. Society can play a part in creating an environment where differences are penalized; however, the extent in which they affect daily life can be adjusted depending on attitude. Flaws are only a negative thing when seen as one. Different is never bad especially when it comes to people. The time for hating flaws is over; it is now time to embrace them. It is time for people to start loving their flaws.
Uniqueness is the actual word for the small differences that cause so much anxiety. Loving those small quirks and variations are nothing to stress. Throw away those feelings of insecurity and start appreciating who you are. A positive self-image can entirely change one's perspective on life and create a completely new experience. Flaws on human beings are natural, fun, amazing, special, and beautiful. Focusing on the negative has never been productive so why would it be any different when it comes to our bodies. Feeling insecure of yourself is normal, but hating your flaws is not. Inner beauty is always stressed as what really matters, but feeling beautiful on the outside is just as important. This does not mean that you should seek validation from the world, but instead to love your originality. The lesson is not to flaunt and completely embrace flaws, but to see them as natural and to be comfortable with one's body. That artificially created and idolized image of perfection is a lie, but those marks and scars are not. Let the world fall in love with that imaginary vision of perfection, and you can just love everything else for what it really is. Perfection is a lie so celebrate those flaws because they may not always be pretty to everyone else, but at least they are honest.
Flaws have such a negative definition and only bring hurtful feelings for most people. What can be done about flaws and the role they play in our lives? Flaws can influence the activities we take part in, the people we talk to, and what we wear. The truth is that the evilness we generate towards flaws can hold us back immensely. The worst part is that we create most of the bad feelings that come from flaws. Society can play a part in creating an environment where differences are penalized; however, the extent in which they affect daily life can be adjusted depending on attitude. Flaws are only a negative thing when seen as one. Different is never bad especially when it comes to people. The time for hating flaws is over; it is now time to embrace them. It is time for people to start loving their flaws.
Uniqueness is the actual word for the small differences that cause so much anxiety. Loving those small quirks and variations are nothing to stress. Throw away those feelings of insecurity and start appreciating who you are. A positive self-image can entirely change one's perspective on life and create a completely new experience. Flaws on human beings are natural, fun, amazing, special, and beautiful. Focusing on the negative has never been productive so why would it be any different when it comes to our bodies. Feeling insecure of yourself is normal, but hating your flaws is not. Inner beauty is always stressed as what really matters, but feeling beautiful on the outside is just as important. This does not mean that you should seek validation from the world, but instead to love your originality. The lesson is not to flaunt and completely embrace flaws, but to see them as natural and to be comfortable with one's body. That artificially created and idolized image of perfection is a lie, but those marks and scars are not. Let the world fall in love with that imaginary vision of perfection, and you can just love everything else for what it really is. Perfection is a lie so celebrate those flaws because they may not always be pretty to everyone else, but at least they are honest.
Letters To Us
From switched-on readers about "Love Your Flaws"
Got a question, comment or suggestion about something you have read on our site? Don't keep it to yourself, let us know by email or use the form at the bottom.
Dear Switchy,
The biggest problem in my life right now is my hair. It refuses to obey me. It's big and completely unmanageable. My brother on the other hand has amazing hair. I'm extremely jealous of him and I can't see why my hair is not like his. I absolutely hate my hair and wish it was gone forever. My hair is my number one flaw.
-Alex
The biggest problem in my life right now is my hair. It refuses to obey me. It's big and completely unmanageable. My brother on the other hand has amazing hair. I'm extremely jealous of him and I can't see why my hair is not like his. I absolutely hate my hair and wish it was gone forever. My hair is my number one flaw.
-Alex
Dear Alex,
You should count your blessings, if your hair is the biggest problem in your life. Everyone has a problem with a certain part of themselves and for you it is your hair. You may think that your hair is awful and that your brother's is perfect, but that is just your opinion. Hair can be difficult and plenty of people have problems with it. Try changing up your hairstyle to one that makes your hair more manageable and suits you better. Hair can be changed and played with, you just need to find a way to make it work for you.
-Switched-On
You should count your blessings, if your hair is the biggest problem in your life. Everyone has a problem with a certain part of themselves and for you it is your hair. You may think that your hair is awful and that your brother's is perfect, but that is just your opinion. Hair can be difficult and plenty of people have problems with it. Try changing up your hairstyle to one that makes your hair more manageable and suits you better. Hair can be changed and played with, you just need to find a way to make it work for you.
-Switched-On
Dear switched_ON,
I hated my nose and so I decided to get a nose job. I took some time off from school to get the surgery and recover. I think my nose now looks perfect and I love it, but I am scared to go back to school. I am sure that everyone will realize what I did and judge me for it. None of my friends know and I am kind of embarrassed to tell anyone. How can I ever go back?
-Hannah
I hated my nose and so I decided to get a nose job. I took some time off from school to get the surgery and recover. I think my nose now looks perfect and I love it, but I am scared to go back to school. I am sure that everyone will realize what I did and judge me for it. None of my friends know and I am kind of embarrassed to tell anyone. How can I ever go back?
-Hannah
Dear Hannah,
I am glad to hear that you feel much better about your nose. It's scary to have surgery and completely natural to feel uncomfortable talking to others about the feelings you had towards your old nose. Everyone has something about themselves that they would like to change, but can't. You did and are much happier with the end result. Cut your friends some slack and trust that they will be understanding with the situation. As for everyone else, as long as you are happy then it doesn't matter what other people say. You feel more comfortable with yourself and it's not a big deal if you do not make it one.
-Switched-On
I am glad to hear that you feel much better about your nose. It's scary to have surgery and completely natural to feel uncomfortable talking to others about the feelings you had towards your old nose. Everyone has something about themselves that they would like to change, but can't. You did and are much happier with the end result. Cut your friends some slack and trust that they will be understanding with the situation. As for everyone else, as long as you are happy then it doesn't matter what other people say. You feel more comfortable with yourself and it's not a big deal if you do not make it one.
-Switched-On
Hey switched-on,
I was feeling really great the other day and in a super good mood. That was until I saw my friend. I felt really cute with my outfit and hair, but my friend disagreed. She said I looked like crap and then I felt like it. My happy mood was immediately gone and my day was ruined. What can I do to make myself feel better?
-Emily
I was feeling really great the other day and in a super good mood. That was until I saw my friend. I felt really cute with my outfit and hair, but my friend disagreed. She said I looked like crap and then I felt like it. My happy mood was immediately gone and my day was ruined. What can I do to make myself feel better?
-Emily
Dear Emily,
You seem just fine and dandy. You felt great that day because everything was going well. The only problem was how your friend treated you. Friends should not put you down or make fun of you. Talk to your friend about how she treats you and what needs to change in your relationship. She shouldn't be treating you so harshly that you feel worse about yourself. Friends don't ruin your day, they should make it.
-Switched-On
You seem just fine and dandy. You felt great that day because everything was going well. The only problem was how your friend treated you. Friends should not put you down or make fun of you. Talk to your friend about how she treats you and what needs to change in your relationship. She shouldn't be treating you so harshly that you feel worse about yourself. Friends don't ruin your day, they should make it.
-Switched-On
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