In high school and middle school, and even to this day, I catch myself using the word 'perfect' to describe people and situations that aren't me/mine.

My mom would always stop me and say "Anna, no one is truly 'perfect', even though it might seem like it." I would always roll my eyes and continue using the word. I found myself scrolling through Instagram saying "okay wow she's perfect". She has the perfect body, the cutest boyfriend, the best looking family, how is it even possible to be that "perfect".

However, the older I get, the more I hate the word 'perfect' and the more I try to remove it from my vocabulary, as I believe we all should. Why? Because no one is truly perfect. Their Instagram or the way they act around you may tell you otherwise but the fact of the matter is, we were all created with flaws and the only perfect being is God himself.

See the thing is, it's easy to hide behind a social media account and post pictures of the "perfect vacation" in your bikini that just looks like it belongs on you. But how likely is it that that vacation was as picture perfect as the social media post suggests, consisting of absolutely no family drama, no sunburns and no bad choices?

It's easy to post a picture of your picture perfect relationships, backed up by several comments along the lines of "aww most perfect couple" or "goals" but not pictured is the fight that occurred just moments after the photo was taken.

My point is, no matter how 'perfect' something appears on social media or even in life around us, we are all far from perfect and all consist of flaws but that's the beautiful part of life. It is in our flaws and imperfections that we grow and learn. Behind every social media post or smiling person (no matter how 'perfect' they may seem) is a level of imperfection, struggle and pain. No one lives a life where those don't all come to play at one point or another.

When we use the word 'perfect', we find ourselves comparing ourselves and thinking less of ourselves. Then begins the cycle of jealousy, resentment and inability to be happy for those around us that thrive in areas that we struggle in. If we all just accepted that we each have our own flaws and we can better ourselves and each other in picking up where another person falls short, the world could be such a more beautiful place. Instead of choosing jealously, rejoice with the person for their strengths, but realize that they have imperfections, just as you do.

So can we all make a pact to stop using the word 'perfect' to describe Insta posts, other peoples bodies/outward appearance, abilities, etc.? Let's choose to acknowledge that God created us in his beautiful image, which consists of imperfections in every person that we should embrace and allow us to grow and learn.

God had intention behind every inch and part of your life and your body.