My fingernails are never clean.
My boobs are too big.
I am boringly practical and I worry too much.
I tuck the flap of my belly into my jeans and try to ignore it.
I have no waist, no bum and shoulders broader than most men.
Sometimes I can only see my flaws. I only think about all the things I don’t do so well, all things I’d like to change, all the things I wish I wasn’t.
I forget to see all the things that are ok. I don’t stop to ponder the things I do well, the things I am proud of and the things that are beautiful.
This is not the self esteem I want my children to inherit. This is not even the attitude I want to have towards myself.
There is more to me than my superficial imperfections.
For every flaw there is a story, a journey, a proud moment, something to love…
My fingernails have dirt under them from the garden and green play dough from playing with my big boy. They are signs of hard work and enjoyment.
My breasts have feed four children, two of them at the same time. Despite flat nipples, prem babies, failure to thrive, bad latches and bouts of thrush they have nourished my babies and I am proud.
I am responsible, reliable and I think things through (over and over and over).
Despite my belly flap I am more comfortable with my body now than I have ever been.
I have skinny legs, long fingers and nice ears.
I am a mother, a friend, a teacher, a daughter, a Turkish delight eater, a sister, a chef, a wife, a blogger, a karaoke singer, a woman.
I am all this and more…
I am not perfect at any of these things, but I am me, perfectly imperfect me, and that’s just fine.
Are you perfectly Imperfect?
Share your stories so we all know that we are not alone in our imperfect perfectness.
Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous woman. Love this post Kate of to share it!
You forgot that you the imperfectly most perfect best friend in the world!
I have man shoulders too… All the better to shlep my babies in the backpack :)
Glad to have found your blog.
Thank you. Reading your blog is like removing the shadows inside of me. Thank you for being honest with yourself and with us ( your loyal readers).
What a perfectly imperfect post! xx
And you know what? I’ve never noticed a single one of your flaws, because I think you’re just lovely.
You have beautiful eyes and I love your honesty, also, I wish I could be more perfectly imperfect and its something I am working on! (I am also a turkish delight eater!)
You echo my feelings and also many of my flaws (-:
Amen sistah! Great post, definitely something that should be shouted out loud.
I think that us women are fantastic at focusing on our flaws, especially the physical ones (fat arms, stretch marks, cellulite …..)
After I survived major and very unexpected surgery earlier this year, I am now VERY grateful to be alive – and I positively celebrate my GINORMOUS scars running all across my tummy (which is slightly flabby and covered in stretch marks anyway!!) – it is part of my history and proves I survived!
Well done on being fantastic and achieving so much!
Hi Kate,
I just wanted to thank you for all your wonderful posts, especially these perfectly imperfect ones. I have linked to you on my new blog and wanted you to know. Thanks for the duck and frog printables too, they made my daughter’s day!
We may not be perfect, but we are brilliant, we wives and mothers. Funnily enough I’ve just written a post of my own about that very same thing.
Kate Pickle you are wonderful – warm and caring and generous and smart and creative… If that’s what perfectly imperfect is then I want some of that!
SO lovely to read – so honest… you were able to turn it around as well.
You sound pretty damn good to me!
Dont think I could do this… Not sure I could be so honest…
Thank you ……. !!
aw great post. these are the posts that make me stay blogging. the shiny happy posts suck dogs feet in wet weather. i reckon you are just grand and you are welcome to come drink tea out of a fairly clean cup at my house to celebrate any time!
xx
My goodness! Do I relate to a whole heap of these or what?! Thanks for posting. Great idea!
Kate
I think you’re awesome Kate. What a fabulous mum you are.
you are also amazing.