"Perfectly Imperfect"

Popplewell’s book Outsider: An Old Man, a Mountain, and the Search for a Hidden Past narrates an extraordinary life of Dag Aabye, an aging marathon runner and former stuntman who defied societal norms and lived on his own terms. This biography highlights the themes of resilience, determination, individuality, and the redefinition of success. It also encourages to accept our unique imperfections as a driver and source of inspiration to live an authentic and fulfilling life.

The idea of being “perfectly imperfect” has deep roots in philosophical, psychological, and cultural traditions. Philosophically, it is tied to transcendentalism and existentialism. In Self-Reliance, Emerson championed the value of authenticity and challenged conformity, urged individuals to embrace their true selves irrespective of societal pressures. Emerson’s call to “trust thyself” is an invitation to embrace our imperfections and prioritize personal truth over external validation. Sartre and Kierkegaard also argued that life’s meaning is created through authentic, often imperfect, choices made in defiance of societal conventions. This philosophical perspective underline how embracing imperfections can be an impetus to determination and source of inspiration.

From a psychological perspective, Carl Rogers, a humanist psychologist, emphasized the importance of self-acceptance in personal growth. He believed that embracing your flaws foster thriving and fulfillment. More recently, Brené Brown popularized the idea of imperfection in her work on vulnerability and authenticity. Brown asserts that acknowledging and embracing imperfections are essential for self-fulfillment. The Japanese idea of wabi-sabi also highlights the value of impermanence, incompleteness, and imperfection. This approach encourages acceptance of life’s flawed nature, promoting a blend of humility and self-compassion.

We are living in a world where societal pressures dominate our mindsets and offers benefits in conforming to idealized standards. The world of conformance is a comfort zone, which is the most dangerous place to live. By being “perfectly imperfect” we unlock the freedom to live more authentically and meaningfully, paving the way for our personal and professional growth.