Cultivating Self-Acceptance Through Imperfection: Five Key Insights

By Laura Cipullo, CEDRD, RYT

I grew up setting and ultimately achieving goals whether it was around grades, exercise, food or even something as mundane as keeping my room perfectly clean. I soon realized this focused mindset was and is both a blessing and a curse. Making honor roll, learning to love physical activity and being organized were my successes. However, “losing sleep” due to disappointments over an A minus, third place, or a pound up, was the curse. Whenever we take something to an extreme, it can become detrimental to our mental, physical and spiritual health. Over 20 years ago, I was introduced to the idea of perfectly imperfect through many routes ranging from therapy, learning about Eastern philosophies and this one very memorable book called, The Art of Imperfections, Simple Ways to Make Peace with Yourself.  This began my journey into a life of moderation, of being in the grey zone (not black or white) and of course, eating Kale and Cupcakes. Here are five favorite finds to help you embrace your journey of self-acceptance, of finding balance on a daily basis and to share the message with your children and friends. 

1. The Art of Imperfections, Simple Ways to Make Peace with Yourself By Veronique Vienne

“Our innate idiosyncrasies are actually more endearing to others than our most glorious personal achievements,” writes author Veronique Vienne in this pretty little book, with its intriguing, sepia-tone photographs by Erica Lennard. Vienne offers 10 meditative essays about how to be successful and happy without being perfect. Quirkiness, after all, is creative. She encourages you to “find solace in your shortcomings and even celebrate your most embarrassing lapses.” The essays include “the art of making mistakes,” “the art of looking like yourself,” “the art of having nothing to wear,” and “the art of being neither rich nor famous.”

2. Real Not Perfect Sublimation

Get a favorite old tee or canvas bag (consider one with the occasional tear or even stain). Iron on this great message to remind yourself and others to embrace your mistakes and move on.

3. Wabi Sabi: The Definition, Book and Tee

Wabi Sabi is “Pared down to its barest essence, the of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather and loving use leave behind. It reminds us that we are all transient beings n this planet – that our bodies, as well as the material world around us, are in the process of returning to the dust from which we came” says author Robyn Griggs Lawrence the author of Wabi Sabi House. This philosophy aligns with ours here at LCWNY. Read her book or just start by wearing the Wabi Sabi shirt to start subliminally spreading the message.

4. 6 Wabi Sabi Strategies from Martha Stewart

Wabi Sabi Your Life: Six Strategies for Embracing ImperfectionUnderstand the meaning of wabi sabi and how to incorporate it in your lifestyle.

Read: https://www.marthastewart.com/2225027/wabi-sabi-strategies-tips

Want more Wabi Sabi? We recommend you read: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20181021-japans-unusual-way-to-view-the-world

5. Plant, Love, Grow Resources

Build Self Esteem and Self- Acceptance with these free tools for children as well as adults.

This free download includes affirmations but most importantly a section for children to write what they are proud of rather than what their adult is proud of them for: http://www.plantlovegrow.com/self-esteem.html

More books to support these concepts can be found on Amazon:

• http://www.plantlovegrow.com/journals.html
• http://www.plantlovegrow.com/activity-books.html
• https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Habits-Essential-Kid-Friendly-Nutrition/dp/0989706613