Don't Edit Out the Messiness

Conversations with Thomas

In this podcast I’ll chat about life’s mess - we’ve all been there or perhaps you’re sitting in one right now.

It may sound strange to hear, but I’m going to advocate for you to embrace the mess - perhaps at times champion it.

Your defects and weaknesses make you authentic. Don't focus on your shortcomings. Never assume that others just see those things. In actuality, the traits you dislike about yourself are probably what people are drawn to. You are so unique because of your many freckles, boisterous personality, tell-it-like-it-is demeanour, and total openness.

You could believe that these perceived weaknesses lessen your awesomeness, yet the contrary is true. These characteristics set you apart from the competition. Someone loves every single thing about you; even the things you wish you could change. The understatement of the century is that we are our own harshest critics.

Put yourself in your closest friend's shoes whenever you begin to feel inadequate or like your life is going in a different direction from where you want it to. If they were present, what would they tell you? And be truthful with yourself. You know they would tell you that you are much more than you realize.

They'd convince you that people genuinely find your quirks to be cute and endearing. You wouldn't be allowed to be so harsh on yourself. They'd be accurate, too. Everything in yourself that you wish to change is precisely what makes you so special. Why on earth would you want to resemble someone else? It's preferable to stand out by being distinctive than to blend in and follow the crowd. You're simply too great for that.