Can you like all the parts of you?

“There will always be a part of me that is dirty and sloppy, but I like that, just like all the other parts of myself.” (Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook)

The next line in the film goes: “Can you say the same about yourself, ******? Can you forgive?”

Do you have parts of you that you hide, polish, squash down, run from? Can you forgive, sit kindly with those parts?

Can you hear what they have to say, understand what they are afraid of? Who they are trying to please? Who they don’t meet the measure of?

I went through a long journey of learning I am neuro-diverse, and that what I struggle with is due to dopamine receptors not working so well in my brain. Just like how the eyes we are born with sometimes don’t focus properly.

I learned that it affects my executive functioning. That the part of my brain that regulates attention, the concept of time, short term memory, and other important functions does not work as it should.

For me this is an ADHD Inattentive diagnosis (formerly ADD). It can also happen with peri-menopause, head injuries, PTSD and more.

This is not a pity post, because for me, learning how my brain worked was liberating. I finally felt understood and validated. There was a scientific reason I could get straight A’s and have many high level talents and achievements, yet not grasp time, or find my keys, or manage simple house tasks that seem so basic and easy to others.

So I will always be a little sloppy in some parts of my life. I can forgive myself and focus on what I AM good at. Which, same as you, is a lot! Being a professional and excellent at your work does not mean you have to be flawless in all ways.

And whether you have amazing executive functioning skills or not, we all have parts that try as we might, they go against the grain of what society expects. Can you forgive those parts? Can you forgive yourself for the harsh words you gave yourself about them?

What if you are perfect, right now, as you are? I believe you are. I hope you do too!

(This brilliant quote was shared with me by Regina Vereker ✨💜✨ )