113 Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes (Enlightening)

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In this post, we’ll dive into Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes and share some inspiring words that can help you break free from perfectionism and embrace your authentic self.

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Best Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes
Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Connection
Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Compassion
Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Courage
Short Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes
Brené Brown Perfectionism Quotes
Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Shame
Inspirational Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes
Summary

Best Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

Self-kindness: Being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism.
If we want to fully experience love and belonging, we must believe we are worthy of love and belonging. Brené Brown

Cruelty is cheap, easy, and rampant. It’s also chicken-shit. Especially when you attack and criticize anonymously—like technology allows so many people to do these days. Brené Brown

Setting boundaries and holding people accountable is a lot more work than shaming and blaming. But it’s also much more effective. Brené Brown

Overcoming self-doubt is all about believing we’re enough and letting go of what the world says we’re supposed to be and supposed to call ourselves. Brené Brown

Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others.
Asking for what you need is one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. Brené Brown

The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button. Brené Brown

Our unexpressed ideas, opinions, and contributions don’t just go away. They are likely to fester and eat away at our worthiness. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

People may call what happens at midlife a crisis, but it’s not. It’s an unraveling—a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re supposed to live. The unraveling is a time when you are challenged by the universe to let go of who you think you are supposed to be and to embrace who you are. Brené Brown

Life paralysis refers to all of the opportunities we miss because we’re too afraid to put anything out in the world that could be imperfect. It’s also all of the dreams that we don’t follow because of our deep fear of failing, making mistakes, and disappointing others. Brené Brown.

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Brené Brown

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The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Brené Brown

‘I’m not very creative’ doesn’t work. There’s no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are only people who use their creativity and people who don’t. Unused creativity doesn’t just disappear. It lives within us until it’s expressed, neglected to death, or suffocated by resentment and fear. Brené Brown

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. Brené Brown

Here’s what is truly at the heart of wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if, not when, we’re worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is. Brené Brown

If we want to live a Wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play, and about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth. Brené Brown

Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. Brené Brown

Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Connection

Laughter, song, and dance create emotional and spiritual connection; they remind us of the one thing that truly matters when we are searching for comfort, celebration, inspiration, or healing: We are not alone. Brené Brown

We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection. Brené Brown

If connection is the energy that surges between people, we have to remember that those surges must travel in both directions. Brené Brown

Common humanity recognizes that suffering and feelings of personal inadequacy are part of the shared human experience—something we all go through rather than something that happens to me alone. Brené Brown

We are wired for connection. It’s in our biology. From the time we are born, we need connection to thrive emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually. A decade ago, the idea that we’re wired for connection might have been perceived as touchy-feely or New Age. Today, we know that the need for connection is more than a feeling or a hunch. It’s hard science. Neuroscience, to be exact. Brené Brown

I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. Brené Brown

Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, ‘No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.’ It’s going to bed at night thinking, ‘Yes I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.’ Brené Brown

To practice courage, compassion, and connection is to look at life and the people around us, and say, I’m all in. Brené Brown

Whether we’re overcoming adversity, surviving trauma, or dealing with stress and anxiety, having a sense of purpose, meaning, and perspective in our lives allows us to develop understanding and move forward. Without purpose, meaning, and perspective, it is easy to lose hope, numb our emotions, or become overwhelmed by our circumstances. We feel reduced, less capable, and lost in the face of struggle. The heart of spirituality is connection. When we believe in that inextricable connection, we don’t feel alone. Brené Brown

Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and by seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, but often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance. Brené Brown

In our technology-crazed world, we’ve confused being communicative with feeling connected. Just because we’re plugged in, doesn’t mean we feel seen and heard. Brené Brown

Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are. Brené Brown

When I let go of trying to be everything to everyone, I had much more time, attention, love, and connection for the important people in my life.” Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Brené Brown

One of the greatest barriers to connection is the cultural importance we place on “going it alone.” Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help.” The truth is that we are both. Brené Brown

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves. Brené Brown

Of this, I am actually certain. After collecting thousands of stories, I’m willing to call this a fact: A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick. Brené Brown

The willingness to tell our stories, feel the pain of others, and stay genuinely connected in this disconnected world is not something we can do halfheartedly. Brené Brown

Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives. Brené Brown

Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Compassion

When we’re kind to ourselves, we create a reservoir of compassion that we can extend to others. Our children learn how to be self-compassionate by watching us, and the people around us feel free to be authentic and connected. Brené Brown

We cannot ignore our pain and feel compassion for it at the same time. Brené Brown

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle; and nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe that we are enough. Brené Brown

We can talk about courage and love and compassion until we sound like a greeting card store, but unless we’re willing to have an honest conversation about what gets in the way of putting these into practice in our daily lives, we will never change. Never, ever. Brené Brown

Mindfulness: Taking a balanced approach to negative emotions so that feelings are neither suppressed nor exaggerated. We cannot ignore our pain and feel compassion for it at the same time. Mindfulness requires that we not over-identify with thoughts and feelings, so that we are caught up and swept away by negativity. Brené Brown

We need to honour our struggles by sharing it with someone who has earned a right to hear it. When we are looking for compassion, it’s about connecting with the right person at the right time about the right issue. Brené Brown

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

When we become more living and compassionate with ourselves and we begin to practice shame resilience, we can embrace our imperfections. Brené Brown

It’s hard for us to understand that we can be compassionate and accepting while we hold people accountable for their behaviors. We can, and, in fact, it’s the best way to do it. Brené Brown

The heart of compassion is really acceptance. The better we are at accepting ourselves and others, the more compassionate we become. Well, it’s difficult to accept people when they are hurting us or taking advantage of us or walking all over us. This research has taught me that if we really want to practice compassion, we have to start by setting boundaries and holding people accountable. Brené Brown

Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Courage

Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty. Brené Brown

I also see courage in myself when I’m willing to risk being vulnerable and disappointed. Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging. Brené Brown

Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do. Brené Brown

Now when someone asks me about the potential opportunity that I’m excited about, I’m more likely to practice courage and say, “I’m so excited about the possibility. I’m trying to stay realistic, but I really hope it happens.” Brené Brown

Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

Courage is like—it’s a habitus, a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging. Brené Brown

Courage has a ripple effect. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver. And our world could stand to be a little kinder and braver. Brené Brown

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. Brené Brown

Speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences, (good or bad) is the definition of courage. Brené Brown

Short Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

I am enough! Brené Brown

Our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance. Brené Brown

We can only love others as much as we love ourselves. Brené Brown

Where perfectionism exists, shame is always lurking. Brené Brown

When we don’t claim shame, it claims us. Brené Brown

Shame is the birthplace of perfectionism. Brené Brown

Loving and accepting ourselves are the ultimate acts of courage. Brené Brown

Brené Brown Perfectionism Quotes

Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame. Brené Brown

Perfectionism is not self-improvement. Perfectionism is, at its core, about trying to earn approval and acceptance. Most perfectionists were raised being praised for achievement and performance (grades, manners, rule-following, people-pleasing, appearance, sports). S
Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Brené Brown

Perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life-paralysis. Brené Brown

Perfectionism never happens in a vacuum. It touches everyone around us. We pass it down to our children, we infect our workplace with impossible expectations, and it’s suffocating for our friends and families. Brené Brown

Perfectionism is self destructive simply because there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Brené Brown

Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?” Perfectionism is other-focused: “What will they think? Brené Brown

The most powerful emotions that we experience have very sharp points, like the tip of a thorn. When they prick us, they cause discomfort and even pain. Just the anticipation or fear of these feelings can trigger intolerable vulnerability in us. We know it’s coming. We can anesthetize with a whole bunch of stuff, including alcohol, drugs, food, sex, relationships, money, work, caretaking, gambling, staying busy, affairs, chaos, shopping, planning, perfectionism, and constant change. Brené Brown

Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, its the thing thats really preventing us from taking flight. Brené Brown

Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. It is not about healthy achievement or growth. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgement, and shame. Brené Brown

Healthy striving is self-focused: How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused: What will they think? Perfectionism is a hustle. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes on Shame

Shame works like the zoom lens on a camera. When we are feeling shame, the camera is zoomed in tight and all we see is our flawed selves, alone and struggling. Brené Brown

If we share our shame story with the wrong person, they can easily become one more piece of flying debris in an already dangerous storm. Brené Brown

Shame hates it when we reach out and tell our story. It hates having words wrapped around it- it can’t survive being shared. Shame loves secrecy. When we bury our story, the shame metastasizes. Brené Brown

Our stories are not meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege, and we should always ask ourselves this before we share: Who has earned the right to hear my story?” If we have one or two people in our lives who can sit with us and hold space for our shame stories, and love us for our strengths and struggles, we are incredibly lucky. Brené Brown

Shame keeps worthiness away by convincing us that owning our stories will lead to people thinking less of us. Shame is all about fear. We’re afraid that people won’t like us if they know the truth about who we are, where we come from, what we believe, how much we’re struggling. Brené Brown

When we value being cool and in control over granting ourselves the freedom to unleash the passionate, goofy, heartfelt, and soulful expressions of who we are, we betray ourselves. Brené Brown

When we consistently betray ourselves, we can expect to do the same to the people we love. When we don’t give ourselves permission to be free, we rarely tolerate that freedom in others. We put them down, make fun of them, ridicule their behaviors, and sometimes shame them. We can do this intentionally or unconsciously. Brené Brown

We need to see that catastrophisizing about what could happen if we talked honestly about our fears is actually more painful than grabbing the hand of a trusted companion and crossing the swamp. And, most important, we need to learn why constantly trying to maintain our footing on the shifting shore as we gaze across to the other side of the swamp—where our worthiness waits for us—is much harder work than trudging across. Brené Brown

The most dangerous thing to do after a shaming experience is to hide or bury our story. When we bury our story, the shame metastasizes.
Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed, and rare. Brené Brown

What’s the difference between shame and guilt? The majority of shame researchers and clinicians agree that the difference between shame and guilt is best understood as the differences between I am bad and I did something bad. Guilt = I did something bad. Shame = I am bad. Shame is about who we are, and guilt is about our behaviors. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

Inspirational Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees – these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace. Brené Brown

Many of us think that being mindful means not avoiding painful emotions. Mindfulness also means not over-identifying with or exaggerating our feelings. Brené Brown

When we go against the grain and put ourselves and our work out in the world, some people will feel threatened and they will go after what hurts the most—our appearance, our lovability, and even our parenting. Brené Brown

So many of us run around spackling all of the cracks, trying to make everything look just right…remember the beauty of the cracks…our imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together. Imperfectly, but together. Brené Brown

We can confront someone about their behavior, or fire someone, or fail a student, or discipline a child without berating them or putting them down. The key is to separate people from their behaviors – to address what they are doing, not who they are. Brené Brown

To become fully human means learning to turn my gratitude for being alive into some concrete common good. It means growing gentler toward human weakness. It means practicing forgiveness of my and everyone else’s hourly failures to live up to divine standards. It means learning to forget myself on a regular basis in order to attend to the other selves in my vicinity. Brené Brown

When we spend a lifetime trying to distance ourselves from the parts of our lives that don’t fit with who we think we’re supposed to be, we stand outside of our story and hustle for our worthiness by constantly performing, perfecting, pleasing, and proving. Our sense of worthiness—that critically important piece that gives us access to love and belonging—lives inside of our story. Brené Brown

The opposite of play is not work—the opposite of play is depression. Respecting our biologically programmed need for play can transform work. It can bring back excitement and newness to our job. True play that comes from our own inner needs and desires is the only path to finding lasting joy and satisfaction in our work. In the long run, work does not work without play. Brené Brown

Whenever I’m faced with a vulnerable situation, I get deliberate with my intentions by repeating this to myself: “Don’t shrink. Don’t puff up. stand your sacred ground.” Saying this little mantra helps me remember not to get too small so other people are comfortable and not throw up my armor as a way to protect myself. Brené Brown

Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating a clearing. It’s opening up an emotionally clutter-free space and allowing ourselves to feel and think and dream and question. Brené Brown Gifts of Imperfection Quotes

The new cultural belief that everything should be fun, fast, and easy is inconsistent with hopeful thinking. Hopeful self-talk sounds more like, This is tough, but I can do it. Brené Brown

Now I understand that in order to feel a true sense of belonging, I need to bring the real me to the table and that I can only do that if I’m practicing self-love. For years I thought it was the other way around: I’ll do whatever it takes to fit in, I’ll feel accepted, and that will make me like myself better. Just typing those words and thinking about how many years I spent living that way makes me weary. No wonder I was tired for so long! Brené Brown

To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees—these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. When we lose our tolerance for discomfort, we lose joy. In fact, addiction research shows us that an intensely positive experience is as likely to cause relapse as an intensely painful experience. Brené Brown

Playing down the exciting stuff doesn’t take the pain away when it doesn’t happen. It also creates a lot of isolation. Brené Brown

Once you’ve diminished the importance of something, your friends are not likely to call and say, “I’m sorry that didn’t work out. I know you were excited about it.” Brené Brown

Hope is not an emotion; it’s a way of thinking or a cognitive process. Hope is really a thought. Brené Brown

If we can’t stand up to the never good enough and who do you think you are? we can’t move forward. Brené Brown

Until we can receive with an open heart, we’re never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help. Brené Brown

If we want to make meaning, we need to make art. Cook, write, draw, doodle, paint, scrapbook, take pictures, collage, knit, rebuild an engine, sculpt, dance, decorate, act, sing—it doesn’t matter. As long as we’re creating, we’re cultivating meaning. Brené Brown

We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions. Brené Brown

Gratitude without practice may be a little like faith without works – it’s not alive. Brené Brown

If we want to cultivate hopefulness, we have to be willing to be flexible and demonstrate perseverance. Not every goal will look and feel the same. Tolerance for disappointment, determination, and a belief in self is the heart of hope. Brené Brown

When we can let go of what other people think and own our story, we gain access to our worthiness—the feeling that we are enough just as we are and that we are worthy of love and belonging. Brené Brown

We don’t want to be uncomfortable. We want a quick and dirty how-to list for happiness. I’d love to skip over the hard stuff, but it just doesn’t work. If we really want to live a joyful, connected, and meaningful life, we must talk about things that get in the way. Brené Brown

When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.
We’re a nation hungry for more joy: Because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude. Brené Brown

Sufficiency isn’t two steps up from poverty or one step short of abundance. It isn’t a measure of barely enough or more than enough. Sufficiency isn’t an amount at all. It is an experience, a context we generate, a declaration, a knowing that there is enough, and that we are enough. Brené Brown

Summary

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by the desire to achieve the highest level of performance and flawless results in everything one does. Although this trait can be a great motivator and help individuals reach their goals, it can also have negative consequences on mental health and well-being.

Individuals who are perfectionists tend to set extremely high standards for themselves and often have a critical inner voice that constantly judges their performance. They may feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed by the pressure to meet their own high expectations, and may even feel that they are not good enough if they fail to meet those standards. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even depression.

Perfectionists may also struggle with procrastination, as they may be afraid of not achieving their high standards and thus avoid taking action altogether. This can lead to missed opportunities and decreased productivity.

In addition to the negative impact on mental health, perfectionism can also have negative effects on relationships. Perfectionists may have unrealistic expectations of others and become critical or judgmental when those expectations are not met. This can lead to conflicts and strained relationships.

Despite the potential drawbacks, there are also positive aspects of perfectionism. Individuals who are perfectionists tend to be highly motivated and driven, and may achieve great success in their careers or personal lives. However, it is important to strike a balance and recognize when perfectionism is becoming detrimental to one’s well-being.

One way to manage perfectionism is to focus on progress rather than perfection. Recognize that mistakes and failures are part of the learning process and can help one improve over time. Set realistic goals and prioritize what is truly important, rather than trying to be perfect in every aspect of life. Additionally, practicing self-compassion and self-care can help reduce the negative impact of perfectionism on mental health.

In conclusion, perfectionism can be both a blessing and a curse. While it can provide motivation and drive, it can also lead to negative consequences on mental health and relationships. By recognizing the signs of perfectionism and practicing self-compassion and self-care, individuals can achieve a healthier balance and avoid the negative effects of this trait.

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