If you want to be happier, lots of people might say you should focus on your weaknesses and try to improve them to make yourself better. I think that sometimes, it’s better to just accept your imperfections.

The idea that you need to improve upon your weaknesses means you spend a lot of time focusing on the things you’re not great at. If you ask me, that’s not a great way to be happy. I think we’re a lot better off focusing on the things we’re great at.

One way to accept your imperfections is to identify a few things you aren’t very good at and acknowledge it. Accept it. Then be okay with it. Is it really important if we’re good at certain things? No, it really isn’t.

There are tons of things I’m not great at and that’s totally fine! I do not need to be perfect at everything to be great at many things. Instead of dwelling on what I’m not good at, I accept most of those things and focus on what I am good at. Like being a good mom, baker, party planner, office coordinator, and so much more. I’m not less because of the things I’m bad at.

To be happier, list out a bunch of things you know you’re not great at that you find yourself worrying about. Then really sit and think about how important they are in the grand scheme of your life. Are they really important? Chances are that most of them are not important at all!

To get you started, here are three things I’m terrible at that I’ve decided I won’t let bother me.

3 Things I suck at and am totally okay with

1. Running. I am NOT a runner. At one time, I really wanted to be one, but after a few months of training to run a 5k with my husband a few years ago, I realized it’s not for me. I hate it. I never got faster. It never got any easier. And I felt like I was going to die at the end of every run. Occasionally, I’ll still see a runner and think it looks like something I’d like to do. Then I remind myself that I am good at lots of other things and I really don’t need to work on being a good runner. It’s fine.
2. Math. I used to get so upset in school when I couldn’t understand complex math problems that so many of my friends had no trouble with. We’re talking tears and everything. As I got older, it didn’t get easier. But I realized that it’s just not the way my brain works. I know enough to function and can learn little bits as I need. Fortunately, I’ve no interest in a career that requires extensive, heavy math skills. So what difference does it make if I’m lacking in the more complex math skills?
3. Public Speaking. To an extent, I need to be comfortable with public speaking. However, I am not a super extroverted person. Standing up in front of a bunch of people and speaking has never been something I have been comfortable with. And I don’t think I’m any better at it now than I ever have been. I can force myself to do it when I need to, and I can make it through, but that’s about it. I’ve given up on trying to be great at it and just want to be able to do it decently. I don’t need to do it perfectly.

Accept your imperfections to be happier

We all have skills and abilities that differ from others. There is nothing wrong with that! We can’t be good at everything and shouldn’t expect to be. By spending time wishing we were better at things, we ruin our own happiness. Instead of focusing on things we aren’t good at, we are better off to accept them and focus on everything we’re great at! Because at the end of the day, we’re all great at a lot of things. Even if it’s not everything.

What are some things you’re not great at? Can you accept your imperfections to be happier? Let me know in the comments!