Talking about personal insecurities and flaws is harder than you’d expect. It gets even more difficult when you have to post them online, for the world to see. It requires you to embrace your flaws and find comfort in them. With that being said, I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I was nominated for the Flawesome Award by Jen at The Frozen Mind Blog. So, in this post I will be admitting three of my flaws, and explaining how they are actually strengths that make me awesome.
Before I get started, I want to give Jen a shout out for the nomination. I admire Jen, so it is an honor to be nominated by her. Jen writes about her journey through chronic illness, mostly focusing on migraines; her blog is absolutely one to read.
About the Flawesome Award:
Created by Sophia Ismaa, the objective of the Flawesome Award is to celebrate the flaws that make us awesome. With this award, we are reminded that our flaws are unique things that can give us strength, and make us awesome. Sophia said: “Our flaws make us human, our flaws tell us more about who we are, and in turn we turn those flaws into awesome strengths. In short, our flaws make us #flawesome.”
Rules of the Flawesome Award:
- Link back to the creator – Sophia Ismaa Writes
- Display the award
- List 3 flaws and turn it into a strength
- Tag 10 other people
My Flawesome:
Do our flaws really make us awesome? I think they can. As Ben Platt said in his Tony Awards acceptance speech; “Don’t waste any time trying to be like anybody but yourself, because the things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful.”
Flaw 1: Social Connectivity
I don’t connect well with other people; so when I do make a connection I’m able to appreciate and sincerely value it.
I’m socially awkward, in an uncomfortably compulsive way. I guess you could say I have a compulsive need for connectivity. Because of this, I’ve spent the better part of my life feeling pretty isolated. When I was younger, I would overcompensate in an attempt to find connection; having a lot of energy, telling jokes, being active… but my attempts just pushed people away, and made me seem odd. In addition, I’ve always had trouble maintaining relationships with other people. In the past, my social anxiety, self-doubt, and a compulsive need for connectivity caused me to ruin many relationships.
This flaw benefits me: it allows me to truly value the human connections I do manage to make. When you don’t make friends easily, you really value the friends you have. Right?
Flaw 2: Geeky Obsession
I’m obsessive; but this allows me to be unapologetically enthusiastic about the things I enjoy.
I’m not referencing my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, per se. Although, my disorder may contribute to my geeky obsessions. Basically, when I love something I REALLY love it: intensely and obsessively. This obsession causes me to be total geek about the things I enjoy. Other people might find this annoying, but I really love this part of myself. I’m able to love things intensely, and fully enjoy and appreciate them. There is something truly liberating about being a geek.
For example, I have a deep admiration for Dear Evan Hansen the Broadway Musical, like I’m totally obsessed with it. I embrace the love I have for it; and I find myself talking about it constantly and passionately. Dear Evan Hansen is an amazing and life-altering musical, and it deserves my excitement. I believe, when you love something as much as I love Dear Evan Hansen, you should proudly emote how you feel about it. It’s liberating.
Another example would be my love for films; particularly comic book and horror films. I openly demonstrate a level of affection for films that most people would probably find odd. But filmmaking is a truly remarkable process, and I can’t stifle my excitement for it… nor would I ever want to.
I love what I love; Star Trek, Ryan Reynolds, Broadway, Films, Books… I love these geeky and amazing things, so why not celebrate them? Seriously, what is life if you don’t enjoy things intensely? Simon Pegg (Scotty in the Star Trek Reboot Films) said it best; “Being a geek is all about being honest about what you enjoy and not being afraid to demonstrate that affection. It means never having to play it cool about how much you like something. It’s basically a license to proudly emote on a somewhat childish level rather than behave like a supposed adult. Being a geek is extremely liberating.”
Flaw 3: Over-Preparedness
I obsessively over-prepare for situations; which means I’m seldom caught off guard.
I’m obsessive and excessive in terms of preparedness. I recognize that this trait, while helpful at times, isn’t exactly healthy. My fear that something unexpected might happen causes a lot of anxiety in my life; for me and for my loved ones. My obsessive-preparedness covers two main scenarios; (1) Items That I Might Need, and (2) Bad Things That Might Happen.
Items That I Might Need: My obsessive preparedness isn’t necessary, and creates a lot of hassle. Oftentimes, I find myself carrying a purse (which is necessary) and backpack (which isn’t necessary), just so I can have my “preparedness items” with me. I’m constantly haunted by what-ifs. Sure, sometimes these items are needed, and in those moments I feel vindicated. For example, an unexpected rain storm hit a NASCAR race that my husband and I were at. Luckily, I had rain boots, water proof boxes, and tarps in my backpack. While everyone else was running for shelter, I was pulling rain gear from my backpack: vindicated.
Bad Things That Might Happen: I have anxiety, and I worry a lot. Most people would assume that I’d crack in an emergency situation. However, I thrive in emergency situations. I think about things that most people would never think of; which means that I’m 100% mentally prepared for something bad to happen, at all times. This really benefits me: in an emergency situation, while everyone else is panicking, I’m focused and ready to problem solve. My anxiety has forced me to make contingency plans for everything that scares me: roof collapses, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, food allergies, fires, shooters. I have a contingency plan, and I know what to do. For example, a few years ago a tornado hit my husband’s home town; everyone around me was panicked, but I was completely calm, because I had already planned for a tornado.
My Nominees for the Flawesome Award:
Ruth: Ruth in Revolt.
Zara: ZaraLouU.
Tiffany: Love Always, Tiffany.
Sarah: Insecure Housewife.
Bearded Igor: Bearded Igor Blogs.
Ross: Man Vs Adulthood.
Lynne: Awesomism Mom.
Gabby: Gabby Frost.
Fiona: Like as the Waves.
Aubrey: Aubrey Good.
Curtain Call:
I would be remiss if I didn’t plug my own blog and social networks. You can connect with me on my social networks; Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also follow and subscribe to my Blog. I would really appreciate it.
Remember: “Don’t waste any time trying to be like anybody but yourself, because the things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful.” – Tony Winner, Ben Platt
Sincerely, the Uncustomary Housewife
Uncustomary Housewife 
This was such an enjoyable post to read. I love your flaws and share some of them too. Proud geekiness is a quality I adore! Thank you for the nomination, now to put my thinking cap on!
Thank you so much for reading, and commenting. I really appreciate it. I’m also glad to hear that you embrace geekiness. It’s totally liberating. I’m excited to read your post!
Oh my sweet goodness I think we were separated at birth! Lol For a moment, I thought you were writing about me! Over preparing, having backup plans for the back up plans…these are totally me! (Yes, I drove everyone crazy during the Hurricane).
NASCAR! Talk about obsessed…I am that way about racing and Football! Go Usc Gamecocks and Go Carolina Panthers!!!!
Yeap…we are long lost sisters or something! 😂
I feel like we should try to coordinate a NASCAR Raceday sometime. We could, indeed, be long lost relatives. Thank you so much for the tag, I really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun with this post. It was actually really nice to think about my flaws, and be forced to find strength in them.
So, basically I will be flocking to you if the zombie apocalypse happens. 😔 I love that you’re geeky, and I love how you’re passionate about so many different things! Great qualities. I will say for the first one, I know what you mean, I was like that when I was younger and now I’m just more like: “Do I like you, though?” And that made it so much easier.
Thank you so much for reading, commenting, and starting this awesome challenge. It is such a good idea. I think about my flaws all the time… But I don’t think about how they make me stronger, or more unique as a person. This was pretty helpful, and therapeutic in it’s own way. Thank you.
No worries, and thank you for linking back and liking mine too, I thought that was really lovely of you. ❤️ You are definitely very kind, and I’m so glad if it’s bought any relief to you. Keep on being flawesome. 🙂
I think you are an extremely awesome person ! Keep it up girl !
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Flaws? Really? I recognize a lot of what you wrote as part of me. I see them as quirks. Eccentricities are a bit further out than quirks, and I do love an eccentric person. There are just not enough out there!!
Thank you so much, that is very kind. I am, definitely, a bit eccentric.
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When my postpartum anxiety kicked in again after the birth of my second child, I made a playlist of calming songs to listen to while nursing my baby during middle of the night feedings. On my list- “For Forever.” I LOVE that you are obsessed with this musical. Being truthful and embracing our geeky tendencies also makes us distinct from others. I am enjoying reading your content!
Thank you for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it. I love your blog and content, as well. I’m also super glad to hear that you listen to Dear Evan Hansen. It’s the best!
I really enjoyed reading about your flaws and how they make you who you are. Embracing our flaws is an amazing thing to do. Thank you so much for the nomination, looking forward to working on my own post for this.