Imperfectly Imperfect

Ah, imperfectly imperfect sounds like a better phrase than perfectly imperfect, cause let's be real, nothing is perfect.

As my children are growing up I have become acutely more aware of the societal pressures that we face as children. It's so interesting looking back and imagining yourself at an age that your children are now and seeing things from a new lens.

There is so much assumption in our society to follow a certain path toward, "success". I grew up in a town that had pretty clear-cut expectations for what life would be like if you played by the rules. I figured if I followed along everything would fall into place.

After going to college very far away in Tucson, AZ. I quickly learned that not everywhere was like my hometown. I quickly felt like a bit of an outcast for the first time, stuck between the fancy sorority groups and people who grew up locally, or already had connections at campus.

In time, I made amazing friends, had so much fun, found fulfilling jobs and I felt like I was in a groove finding myself. I have memories and friendships that will undoubtedly last my lifetime and are a true piece of who I am. What a gift!

After picking a degree, which felt a bit like a shot in the dark, and graduating (a little later than expected) I was able to get my first, "real job". I thought wow, I have now made it!

But sadly, I was riddled with anxiety, cubicle claustrophobia and pressures of navigating the corporate world. Fast forward almost two decades and a lot of jobs and mess ups along the way, I have been blessed with an amazing family and found a great work-life balance, but I still struggle with generalized imposter syndrome.

I am working to embrace the imperfectly imperfectness of my life and want my kids to know that life is not clear cut. There is not a right way, but a true to yourself way. Listening to your gut, digging into your passions, making meaningful connections and staying true to yourself are of the utmost importance.

Embrace your odd, your different, your uniqueness, whatever that may be!