We are flawed.

This is a hard topic to talk about, since Valentines Day is literally around the corner. Not being bitter here, but it seems like the only people who actually care about Valentines Day are those who are in relationships. The rest of us are just like, meh. And probably laughing at guys who are paying x10 the amount for roses on that day. The commercialization of love. Pfffffft.

So anyway, life has been rather eventful lately. I would think that my self-declared post-grad vacation would be a little easier on me, with afternoons spent by the pool and a lot of sleeping. Hell no, I have been heading out for a whole line-up of events and meeting more people in the industry. Networking is never a bad thing, unless they are serious bad influence or are just plain annoying (oh tell me about it). In that case, stay the hell away.

It was in the recent days that I found out embracing the good and bad parts of a person is incredibly nerve wrecking. Not in that cliche way oh-i-love-you-just-the-way-you-are (think Bruno Mars), but actually freaking doing it. Loving every nasty part that you have always hated in a person is NOT easy at all. Not even kidding. It sucks especially when you realize that every single one of us has a set of flaws unique to ourselves. And this brings me to my topic for the day.

We are flawed.

Some of us are terrible at concealing our true self, we display happiness like a proud parent on Facebook. We let our guard down when we are weak and emotional. On the other hand, some of us have indeed become experts at the hiding game. We laugh about our flaws, hoping to push back our insecurities about them. We work to mask these imperfections from curious wandering eyes. You will learn, as you grow older, that flaws are not widely acceptable. Girls are always told to conceal themselves at a tender age. Those battle scars should be covered up. Work towards a size zero. Be aesthetically pleasing. Remember that all these are plain bullshit. The media victimizes the flawed, mocks and taunts them into changing themselves to fit snugly into a cookie-cutter society.

And you start to wonder if personalities are falsified and manufactured, since it is a society that demands and promotes prototypical behavior. It is okay to question, probe and be skeptical. You have every right to be.

There will be flashing signs. And you will see them in everything they do, if you are willing to take a moment and notice. I truly believe people are the most honest while slightly intoxicated. If you wish to see the honest side of a person, get them a couple of drinks. No, I am serious. Intoxicated minds tend to unleash their true personalities. They treat people as they are, as they believe them to be. They can be read like a book, innocent like a child. Their flaws are laid out on display, cards exhibited on the table.

Off-guard. Delicate.

We are flawed, and imperfect in every imaginable way. All of us. And if the person you love makes you feel less than what you are, find the courage to leave graciously and ceremoniously. Detach yourself because it is not worth it. Detach yourself for all the right reasons. Your future will thank you for it. You are a unique character - never forget that.

They will fail you, simply because you possess flaws that they cannot accept. They do not have the capacity to love you the way you are, as lovely or flawed as you can be. The truth is, you will never be good enough for these people. They will fail you in every imaginable way, by hooking up with someone else. They will fail you by breaking up with you over an overseas phone call. You might accidentally stumble upon something, confirming the suspicions that you have always brushed aside out of love. You will see them with someone who looks like perfection, laughing in the middle of that restaurant where he held your hand for the first time ever. Be strong.

You will flash him a smile of acknowledgement and you will walk away, with your head held high. Wipe away the warm tears that are forming in your eyes. You do not need to fight for someone who does not (and will not) fight for you. You need to know that you will be okay. You are flawed, and your battle scars will testify for that. Your time will be better spent with the people who love you, the same people who will never require you to wait for text replies, phone calls, a second date, the chance to prove yourself. No. 

Do not ignore these flashing signs, the ones glaring at your face while you attempt to cross the line every single time. The lines you tried to draw right from the start, that invisible barrier that you constructed to protect your fragility and brittle bones. Your thoughts may kill you, but your intuition is your best piece of advice.

Forget those who cannot find it in their heart to embrace both sides of you. Go against the grain, laugh in the face of conformity, be proud of your inadequacy and never give up on yourself even if they have.

We are flawed. And that is what makes us human.