The Japanese have a beautiful way of embracing flaws and imperfections: kintsugi.
Kintsugi, which roughly translates as ‘golden joinery’, is the philosophy that the value of an object is not in its beauty, but in its imperfections, and that these imperfections are something to celebrate, not hide.
The art of kintsugi is a technique where broken pottery pieces are repaired with gold, creating an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique and, instead of repairing an item to make it appear like new, the 400-year-old art form highlights the scars as part of the design.
According to Ryan Hopkins, the former Future of Wellbeing lead for Deloitte, using this as a metaphor for healing ourselves teaches us an important lesson: in the process of repairing things that have broken, we actually create something even more unique, beautiful and resilient.
The first step to embracing your imperfections is to acknowledge them. You are not perfect, but neither is anyone. Your imperfections are what make you special. Instead of seeing your imperfections as weaknesses, see them as a source of strength. The challenges you have faced in your life have made you stronger and more resilient.
Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer to a friend. When you make a mistake or experience a setback, be gentle with yourself. Remember that it’s ok to be imperfect.