Flipping the Script on Flaws: A Journey to Self-Acceptance

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Have you ever felt like your imperfections were holding you back? What if those very flaws were actually your hidden strengths? Join me, Tone Motivates, on this empowering episode of Shades of Tone as we get real about the myth of perfection and the freedom that comes with embracing our authentic selves. From sharing my own blooper moments and corny jokes to celebrating the unique traits of iconic figures like Tyra Banks and Forest Whitaker, this episode is all about flipping the script on flaws and finding the power in being unapologetically you.

We take a heartfelt dive into how societal pressures, like Instagram filters and hustle culture, make us chase an illusion of perfection that's impossible to attain. Through personal anecdotes and relatable stories, I illustrate how imperfections not only make us interesting but also act as the true connectors between us. With a special mention of new actress and deaf activist Dre Hollingsworth, we explore how embracing our quirks can lead to profound success and deeper connections. So tune in, embrace your quirks, and discover the joy that comes from living authentically.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hey Motives, beautiful people, welcome to
another episode of Shades ofTone.
I'm Tone Motivates.
And today we're peeling backthe layers, getting real about
embracing those quirky, messyand perfectly imperfect parts of
ourselves.
That's right.
We're talking aboutauthenticity, the beauty of

(00:26):
being unapologetically you,flaws and all.
So our quote for today is, Iknow of nothing more valuable,
when it comes to theall-important virtue of
authenticity, than simply beingwho you are.
And that's by Charles R SwindleLife's too short to be perfect,

(00:53):
right?
Perfection, the myth we all buyinto.
Okay, let's address theelephant in the room.
Perfection, it's like thatshiny thing we all chase but can
never quite reach Newsflash.
Perfection is an illusion, andyet we find ourselves stressing

(01:16):
over every little detail,whether it's about our careers,
looks or even our social mediaposts.
Like, how many times have youretyped the text just to sound
cooler?
Guilty?
Now let's discuss the societalpressures that fuel the
perfection myth, from Instagramfilters to the relentless hustle
culture.

(01:37):
I mean, I literally allowstriving for perfection to keep
me from making months ofpodcasts simply because I
couldn't find the right editoror the right time to do it.
But guess what?
Now there's a blog and productsto go with it.
Honey, and y'all will just getthe raw, unfiltered tone, simply

(01:58):
and unapologetically, until Idecide to change it.
Embracing perfections can leadto more joy and freedom.
Perfection is a moving targetand authenticity is what truly
resonates with people thequirkiness of being real.
Let me tell you somethingImperfections are what make us

(02:21):
interesting.
Imagine meeting someone who'sperfect in every way.
Boring the quirks, the flaws,the little things we sometimes
try to hide.
Those are the real conversationstarters.
They're what connect us.
Trust me, I've had my share ofblooper moments.

(02:41):
Just tune into prior episodes.
I'm sure you'll find one or twoor a dozen.
Quirks can be the mostendearing part to people.
Maybe you're terrible at tellingjokes, but what does that mean?
You're not hilarious.
That's what makes you hilarious.
Or you dance like no one'swatching, because you hope no

(03:04):
one is.
I personally tell the cornyjokes and dance like no one is
watching, even when someone is,because, guess what?
It brings me joy.
Vulnerability and showing yourtrue self leads to deeper
connections.
People are drawn to realness,not perfection.
The road to authenticity meansembracing all parts of yourself,

(03:28):
even the awkward, embarrassingbits Like oh, you can't
pronounce the word rural, hey.
Or using our favorite wordslike flabbergasted, no funny
business, etc.
Join the club.
No funny business, etc.

(03:51):
Join the club.
Most importantly, I want themodals out there to know
imperfection is power.
Now I know what you're thinkingis easy to say embrace your
imperfections, embrace yourimperfections.
But what if those flaws feelmore like weaknesses?
Well, let me flip the script onthat.
What if I told you that yourimperfections are actually your

(04:11):
superpower?
Yep, yep, yep.
The things you think are wrongabout you could be your greatest
strengths, and I myself thinkof myself as a teenage, mutant,
ninja turtle, hard out of shell,compassionate and sensitive.
Within my superpower is whatyou choose to see, and that's
what side you choose.

(04:32):
That's your business.
Either way, I embrace both.
Who says imperfections can'tsave the day?
Cowabunga.
Now let's chat about a couple ofhousehold names that made their
imperfections who they were.
Supermodel Tyra Banks thanksher forehead to her success, and

(04:57):
look at all of her accoladesand accomplishments.
We all know Cindy Crawford's,famous mole.
What about Forest Whitakerakerand his eye defect?
And what about newup-and-coming actress, deaf
activist and model, dreHollingsworth?

(05:17):
I myself always felt unheard andunseen growing up, so I
practiced speaking in public byreading, writing and practicing
at home.
I practice speaking in publicby reading, writing and
practicing at home, which led meto public speaking, silent
acting, modeling, voiceovers,podcasting and life coaching.
I am a mindset and wellnessinfluencer and cognitive

(05:38):
behavior therapist, with severalpublications, interviews and
accolades under my belt.
Just ask the Google.
Okay, every time I put myselfout there, I got it back tenfold
.
I may have been scorned by some, but I realized they were
simply not my people, andsometimes those are your biggest

(06:01):
fans in disguise.
Okay, we love haters.
We love haters.
Hey, haters.
Authenticity in everyday lifecan create opportunities for
growth, whether it's being morecomfortable in relationships,
finding your niche at work orsimply being at peace with who

(06:22):
you are.
So let's reflect, embrace yourperfections.
It makes you relatable.
Authenticity creates trust andallows others to do the same.
The more you show up for yourtrue self, or as your true self,
the more people feel empoweredto do the same.

(06:43):
Now, please know.
Empowered to do the same.
Now, please know, those who aretruly for you will be empowered
.
Those who aren't ready may notunderstand, but this is your
life, whether it's understood ornot.
You got it All right thepractice of being authentic.

(07:04):
Okay, so we've talked about theimperfections and the
imperfections, and whyimperfections are beautiful and
how embracing them can beoverpowering or empowering.
But how do we actually do that?
Well, I'm glad that you asked.
Here are a few tips orexercises to practice
authenticity.

(07:24):
For example one the mirrorchallenge.
Look in the mirror each morningand name one thing you love
about your imperfect self.
Maybe it's your wild hair oryour slightly crooked smile.
My left front tooth is chippedand crooked, but you can only
tell from a certain angle, butthe compliments I receive most
is about my beautiful smile.
My left front tooth is chippedand crooked, but you can only
tell from a certain angle, butthe compliments I receive most

(07:47):
is about my beautiful smile.
In addition to that, I'll bethe first to tell you that I
dance around the house or in themirror regularly.
I tell myself jokes, chat withmyself, but, most importantly, I
face myself eye to eye, tellingmyself I am worthy, I am enough

(08:08):
and I am loved.
Two share one flaw With atrusted friend.
Share one of your flaws thatyou usually try to hide.
Flaws that you usually try tohide.
Watch how they probably loveyou more because of it.

(08:29):
My best friends always pick outor make fun of me because I'm
like oh, I don't want to do this.
I don't want to do that.
They're like, oh well, you'vealways been like that and I'm
like, really I didn't know that.
But okay, they're payingattention and I appreciate them
for that.
I love this one practice and Ipractice it weekly with you guys
on here Shades of Tone being astransparent as possible, three

(08:59):
authentic journal.
Write down one moment each daywhere you showed up as your true
self, even if it felt awkwardor uncomfortable.
Embrace the awkwardness andbeing uncomfortable.
It allows us to grow.
I teach my students this daily.
Please remember that this is apractice, not a one-time event.

(09:21):
Authenticity, like fitness, isa muscle you strengthen over
time.
So here's the takeaway, myperfectly imperfect friends life
isn't about being flawless.
It's about showing up as yourreal self, with all of your

(09:42):
quirks, mistakes and messiness.
That's where the magic happens.
That's where connection, growthand love truly live.
And, let's be honest, beingimperfect is a lot more fun,
right?
Well, thanks for joining me onthis journey of embracing

(10:04):
imperfections.
You're beautiful just the wayyou are flaws and all.
Until next time, stay real,stay quirky and keep embracing
your authentic self.
This is Tone Motivates signingoff from Shades of Tone.
Remember perfection isoverrated.
Authenticity is where themagic's at.

(10:26):
As always, always, love.