The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

by Brené Brown

courage, compassion, and connection become gifts—the gifts of imperfection.

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.

If the goal is authenticity and they don’t like me, I might feel disappointment, frustration, or even grief, but I’m okay. If the goal is being liked and they don’t like me, I’m in trouble. I get going by making authenticity the priority.

Sometimes it helps me to wake up in the morning and tell myself, “Today, I’m going to believe that showing up is enough.”

Hopeful self-talk sounds more like, This is tough, but I can do it.