I’ve Started Owning All Of My Insecurities — Here’s Why You Should Too

Everyone has flaws and insecurities, but some people have a harder time accepting them and they end up letting these negative feelings hold them back from being truly happy and/or successful. I used to hide my insecurities and try to change them, but now instead of fighting them, I own them. Here’s why you should too.

  1. Your flaws can also be your greatest assets. Just because something is different doesn’t make it bad or wrong, and sometimes the things that you wish you could change about yourself are what make you stand out. Imperfection is beautiful and it’s also what makes you special. Once you accept this and try to look at your insecurities from this perspective, you can start living up to your full potential.
  2. We wouldn’t judge the people we love as harshly as we judge ourselves. Think about what you would tell your best friend or daughter if she had the same insecurities that you have, and then tell that to yourself. It’s true that we are our own harshest critics and tend to judge ourselves more than we would our loved ones. Really think about what you would say or what advice you would give to your best friend if they were struggling with the same insecurities that you struggle with, and then take that advice to heart.
  3. Not only does perfection not exist, but it’s also boring. Even if being perfect was possible — and let’s be clear here, it’s really not — it would be incredibly boring. Your imperfections and insecurities are what make you interesting and unique. Who wants to be the same as everyone else?
  4. Life’s too short to take yourself so seriously. The best way to deal with any insecurities or hang-ups you have about yourself is to see the funny side of them. Being able to laugh at yourself and your insecurities makes them easier to deal with and less of an issue. Humor makes everything less stressful, and when you stop taking yourself so seriously, you start enjoying life more.
  5. Comparing yourself to others is both exhausting and a waste of time. Often, the reason people have insecurities is because they constantly compare themselves to other people. You might see someone with more money, who you think is more conventionally attractive, who is more successful, who seems like they are a better parent (and the list goes on and on) and feel insecure in comparison. Stop comparing yourself to other people! Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and the only person you need to worry about being better than is the person you were yesterday.
  6. It does wonders for your mindset and confidence when you stop focusing on the negative and instead focus on the positive. As human beings, we tend to focus on the negative things in life even when they’re outnumbered by positive ones. Trying to be more optimistic is one of those things that takes work and conscious effort in the beginning but ends up happening subconsciously after a while. Instead of dwelling on your insecurities, try to focus on your strengths and what you’re good at. You’d be amazed at how much better you feel because of it.
  7. It’s totally fine if your goals and priorities don’t fit society’s ideals. A lot of the time, what we become most insecure about are the things that society has not only given approval to but also encourages. When you stop trying to align your life to one that is standard and/or “acceptable” according to society, you realize that whatever you do or don’t do in your life is fine as long as your happy. The only one who needs to approve of your life choices and your timeline is you, and once you acknowledge and commit to that, you’ll find many of your insecurities are gone.
  8. Accepting and admitting your insecurities takes away their power. Once you embrace your insecurities, they no longer have any control over you. Being ashamed and wanting to keep your insecurities a secret is what gives them power. Being scared or embarrassed of other people finding out about your imperfections is what makes them flaws. If you can be honest and real about your insecurities, they become a lot easier to manage.
  9. By owning your insecurities, you might be helping someone else that struggles with similar issues. When people are able to use their insecurities and their imperfections as motivation and to empower themselves, they also inspire other people to do the same. I’m done fighting my insecurities and letting them have any control over my life, and you should do the same.
Kerry is a freelance writer from Boston, Massachusetts who now lives in the Sunshine State with the love of her life and her 15 month old daughter. She writes frequently about her personal experiences (find more of her work on www.followmetogetlost.wordpress.com). She has an Etsy shop with cute items: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FollowMeToGetLostWhen she's not writing, she loves to spend time outside, at the beach, and with her family.
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