Social Media Influencer TRUTH: I am imperfect.

Give yourself grace to be imperfect.  This goes out to women, girls, men, and boys.  

I recently found my high school journals and I was SO hard on myself.  I was a perfectionist (when it came to academics) and wanted to be “successful” - whatever that meant.  At that time, it meant going to college and getting a good-paying job - breaking the mold of a traditional Hmong girl.  I was determined not to get married early and have babies.  I was determined to get out of my parents’ stifling strict house and I wanted independence.  

How many of you can relate to this?  If not, what were your goals and what stood in your way?  Or maybe your goals and self-actualizations came much later in life…?

I think we present ourselves on social media in the very best light.  However, we don’t show enough of our challenges and our insecurities - especially men.  Men are not even socially allowed to be vulnerable.  But, I will say that as an influencer, I want you to know that I’m not perfect.  I’ve made many mistakes in life: in love, friendships, and career.  I’m not entirely sure what happened between my first love and I - but I’m pretty sure I had been petty and immature toward the end…  I’ve been dropped by friends over things I’ve said and was incredibly hurt to lose them…  I’ve been forced to take on a career that was over my head just for survival. 

The lessons I learned from these mistakes and disappointments?  To love yourself enough to give yourself grace and compassion to grow.  I learned about growth mindset…I had been a growing girl those younger years- of course I was going to make those mistakes!  I continue to grow each day now, in fact.  I have insecurities and areas of improvement that I may or may never master.  But, it’s okay to be imperfect.  Most of all, it’s OKAY to be vulnerable and say it aloud.  In fact, I don’t hear enough from people admitting to their insecurities and their weaknesses.  It’s okay to want to improve and grow or simply draw your lines and say no.  

Women, men, boys, and girls - everyone, if you are reading this…remember to love and accept yourself.  Ask for forgiveness, but remember to forgive yourself as well.  Give yourself compassion and grace...and remember, we are always learning and growing.  

**If you liked what you read, feel free to buy me a coffee to tip me!  It will go towards my goal to get a new laptop for my writing endeavors!

Thank you, and good night!

XOXO,

Eve