#88

What You and I Have in Common With A VW Van

You remember those Volkswagen vans that were the hippie camper of choice? I wonder if they knew at the time it would become such an iconic design. Almost certainly not. I think it was something that was perfectly imperfect and hit a chord with people at the time.

I love the phrase ‘Perfectly imperfect ‘. It just flows off the tongue so easily.

The concept has been around for centuries. Back in the fifteenth century Japan Wabi Sabi was an aesthetic that celebrated perfection in imperfection.

Think of the Mona Lisa. Not the most beautiful portrait ever seen, but it is probably the best known, and is widely adored.

And who doesn’t love an amusingly shaped parsnip. Or the day when your bed-ruffled hair looks as though it has been styled by the wind and the ocean into a wonderfully dishevelled masterpiece. There is a whole category of styling products just to achieve that look!

But where I think the phrase ‘perfectly imperfect’ is the most helpful is when it comes to that elusive concept ‘self-love’.  Accepting yourself for all that you are is a huge part of self-love.

So the next time you start getting critical of yourself for saying the ‘wrong’ thing, for having ‘imperfect’ legs, for being so distracted you put your sunglasses in the fridge (true story), or forgot someone’s Birthday, I suggest you repeat my new mantra:

“I am perfectly imperfect”

And believe it. Because you are

❤️