Nobody’s perfect. Not your dad, not your mom, not your kids, not your lover, not you. But we still expect them to be perfect. And that keeps us from being able to accept people for who they are.
Don’t believe your expectations are getting in the way of seeing your loved ones? Read on. Or, if you’re pressed for time, you can hear my thoughts on this in the video below.
Expectations poison relationships
Have you ever told someone that you’re disappointed in them? Or felt disappointed in how they behaved? Or hate that they can’t or they’re not capable of _______?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, then you do have expectations of perfection that is setting your relationship up for failure.
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No one person can be everything to anyone. Not even you.
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Every person is who they are. And you can’t change that. So, the challenge is: can you accept them as they are?
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If you can do that, extend that grace to yourself. Can you accept that you’re perfect, even in your imperfections?
What does it mean to accept people as they are?
- It means appreciating what they’re good at.
- It means accepting what other people are capable of giving you and not expecting more.
- It also means releasing other people from the obligation to be what they are not just because you want them to be more than what they are.
What does it mean to appreciate yourself as being enough?
- It means acknowledging what you do well.
- It’s being honest about what you can give without depleting your precious resources.
- ​And giving yourself the grace to be enough.
The key to having happier, more balanced relationships: a creative challenge
If you can accept other people for who they are and accept yourself with all your imperfections, you’ll have far happier, more balanced relationships.
And if you still need someone who can fill the void that you were trying to shoehorn a loved on into, cultivate new relationships to fill those needs with people who have those qualities you’re missing.
Remember:
- No one is perfect, not even you. And that’s as it should be.
- Stop trying to be perfect or expect people to be perfect.
- Resist the urge to be what you’re not to make other people happy.
That’s your challenge. Let me know how it goes! Share your thoughts and experiences with me below or @trulykristi on other social channels. 🙂
Don’t miss a challenge! Become a creative alchemist and start getting unstuck.
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