23/09/2021
I tend to pick apart photos of myself. It can feel all too easy to fixate on flaws, eclipsing the my more appealing aspects.
This can often carry into other areas of my life, and although consistently striving for growth is an admirable pursuit, the mindset behind it can drastically alter the end result.
Brené Brown says, “I don’t think you can truly change for the better in a lasting, meaningful way unless it is driven by self-acceptance.”
On our mats, we practice observation without judgement. Using the mirror to inform and adjust alignment does not have to be accompanied by disappointment. Feeling muscles start to fatigue and shake does not have to spark an internal conversation on weakness.
When we indulge negative internal dialogue, it opens the door for perfectionist “all or nothing” patterns that can lead to giving up when we don’t achieve the immediate and exact results we desire. If left unchecked, our minds may start to flirt with ideas of failure or even unworthiness. Self-esteem should not be tied to unrealistic, unrelenting productivity or uncompromising definitions of success.
We do not have to believe every thought that passes through our minds. We can choose to step back and take in information as an outside observer, see ourselves through another’s more objective lens.
We must leave room to make mistakes and learn from them with grace rather than chastise ourselves over choices we wish we hadn’t made or opposite outcomes of what we had hoped for.
Perfect isn’t human. There is no one end goal. There is, however, the option to move forward. Like chasing the horizon, even while knowing you will never quite get there. Find some comfort in knowing that by never reaching that horizon, you never have to become stagnant. You have the ability to forever learn, grow, and improve.
So take a moment to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Give yourself space to live a life you’re proud of. Not one that needs to be perfect, just one that includes progress.
Thank you for helping me feel a lot less awkward in front of the camera 🙏🏻📸 Matt Burbach
📍 Location: Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Eastern-Shoshone Tribe, Cheyenne Nation, Nez-Perce Tribe territory
