this is what change looks like!

At first I thought this protest would be fun. I can't wait to see what happens!

Then I posted my pictures and felt totally vulnerable. What if no one gets it or cares?

Then you started posting pictures and I got scared. I'm crazy. Don't follow my lead.

Then I realized that our fun, vulnerable, honest, crazy signs and photos and posts changed me.

A good friend stopped over on Friday and my house was trashed. Rather than panicking I thought of the sign that reads, "My house isn't perfect. We live here." AMEN.

Last week, I had a moment when I started comparing my "book tour" with Carrie Bradshaw's (yes, the TV character from Sex and the City). Then I remembered that perfection is overrated and the power of showing up is totally underrated.

I don't have the clothes or the clout, but I keep showing up even when I feel like hiding out.

Comparing our lives to highly edited TV/movie performances is suffocating. I don't want to miss the wonderful things that are actually happening because it doesn'tt I don't look like the movies. 

Steve surprised me and put all of our pictures together and made this little video. I cried the first time that I saw it. I'm so grateful to be a part of this.

If you want us to remove your picture, just leave a comment or email with your number from the Mr. Linkie list on the previous post. If you want us to add you, do the same. We spent two days reading your posts, but I'm sure we missed something.

If you're Ingrid Michaelson (or the lawyers from her label), I love your song but I'm happy to use something else! I just think "Be OK!" says it all. PS. The video can't be embedded right now.

And . . . if you haven't seen Joy's Super Silly Perfect Dance video you need to check it out! You can also scroll down to the next post and check out all of the individual signs!

We're going to continue celebrating imperfection over at The Shutter Sister's site! Imperfect is the word for October's One Word Project! Check it out and upload your "imperfect" shots! There are also going to be some fabulous giveaways!

Thank you again for your courage, creativity and moxie! This was awesome.

Comments

[Deb J]

Great video. Ah imperfection. It's fo freeing.

[Susannah]

I got chills!! that was amazing - YOU are amazing for inspiring us with your open heart xo

[Karen D]

This is great. I just received my book and I can't wait to sink into it.
Thanks for the perfection intervention, here's mine.

Karen D
http://deldino.blogspot.com/2010/09/perfect-protest-with-brene-brown.html

[Karen D]

PS - I loved to be added
http://deldino.blogspot.com/2010/09/perfect-protest-with-brene-brown.html

[playcrane]

Many kudos to your husband and all who participated in this. All I can say is WOW! What creativity!

Jodi

[Corinne]

It's so powerful to see everyone's pictures all at once, with such an upbeat song. LOVE it :)

[melissa noble]

after watching I went back and paused and manually read every post that was written..Love it!!..plan to send to a few perfectly nonperfect loved ones.

[kimberlee]

love it - I need to follow Melissa's lead and pause and slow down to clearly catch them all and oh my gosh, just may have to share link so all my friends can see and enjoy too.

[Sylvia V]

Hi Brene,

Congrats on your book, looking forward to reading (and gifting) it. Laughed aloud at the Carrie Bradshaw comparison, such a 'perfect' example of the kind of impossible role models that are created for one agenda - to sell us stuff!
For my money, you kick Carrie's a** !!!

[karen]

well that made me cry too. thank you for that. thank you for being you.

[lu]

It was fun embracing my perfect imperfection.

[Allison]

Brené, My face hurts from smiling so much. Kudos to Steve for this awesome video!!! I am so blessed to be a part of this! And "I don't have the clothes or the clout, but I keep showing up even when I feel like hiding out." is the affirmation I'm internalizing right now!!!!

[Jillian]

This is such an inspiration, thank you, Brene! I'm awaiting your book in the mail... I'm so excited to dive in and start my own recovery from perfectionism =). Freedom here I come!

[kathleen]

Awesome video -great song!! Love all those signs...need to go through again and read them all one-by-one! Going to make my own sign today :-) Thanks for your courage and inspiration!

[Lynn]

That was so fun! How great to see so many women embracing their imperfection and connecting for such a good cause. The internet is an amazing tool. Thanks for starting the protest!

[Tre~]

LOVE THIS!!! Just learned of it...so grateful to see so many folks who get it :) What fun everyone had and this video captures it truly...Here's to being...

[liz]

I hope you realize how much good you are doing! This has been such a long time coming. I hope this turns into a full-blown movement. Ever since I was directed to your site (via Boho Girl) I can't stop thinking about it. Because of you, I have been embracing my imperfections instead of being ashamed about my shortcomings. I have felt so free this week! I think I might actually start liking myself! It's kinda fun, too, to realize that there is usually a positive flipside to our imperfections. Of course we don't focus on that. Thank you!!

[Eden]

This was great!! I'd like to embedd it in my blog, if that's ok and if I can figure it out!!

[Cheri A.]

This is AWESOME Brene! Kudos to Steve. I'm sharing the link back to this post and video on my blog. I want everyone to see it!

[Sarah Jean]

This brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes! Seeing everyone together makes my soul happy. THANK YOU for bringing this together in your usual (im)perfect way.

[Katie]

Wonderful. I loved seeing everyone's signs!

[deborah]

WOW, WOW, WOW - I'm book marking this to replay to my alter ego Miss Perfection when she's having a moment - thank you so much for what you've started.

[kim]

I. Love. This.
I'm joining the protest.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. :)

[Christen]

Awesome! I am loving the book. It's so full of heart!

[Stacie]

I too, would love to be added...http://soultosubstance.blogspot.com/2010/10/perfect-protest.html

[krys]

That was amazing & beautiful, Brené. Thank you so much for compiling them and sharing. :)

[Laura]

This is an inspiring project. I LOVE your book and I keep reading parts of it to my 15-year-old daughter who wants to be a psychologist, btw. Your work is so refreshing!!!!!! And just so you know, you have a way cooler name than Carrie Bradshaw.

[Jane @ 7of]

Thank you for this! I would love to be added, as well. Mr. Linky # 39.

[Ann]

Wonderful!! It is a great feeling that is not easily "perfected"! (Pun intended!) :-) But it is so freeing to be working toward.

Was excited to see my little "protest" included. Shared the video on my blog.

http://thelavendartree.blogspot.com/2010/10/ordinary-courage.html

[Joan]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! thank you!

[Cindy]

That was fabulous! What a great way to start my day! thanks

[katherine]

Thank you Steve for the video & Brene for the protest...it's been great being involved & seeing everyone be involved. I've been smitten with this whole thing!

[Julia Dean]

Thanks for including me!!...great video///love what you are doing..every day a new thought that is positive!!...contentment is on the WAY!!!...xx..julia

[Jennifer]

oh my gosh I love this! I loved seeing eveyones pictures that I saw out there all in one video. How wonderful. I wish I posted my picture in time to be included...but I'm not perfect. I am to busy soaking in life to be perfect.

Sending you a giantl imperfect hug

[Amalia]

Steve, thank you for putting this together. What a fun way to see everyone's contributions.
Brene, I continue my protest.....step by step, day by day.

[Karen D]

I forgot to post my linky number it is 101.. love to be part of the video

[Carolyn Gaar]

Thank YOU Brene, for lighting the fuse on this -- I love the video, I love the posts that I've checked out. I love the whole thing. And, Ironically, I need to embrace my own imperfection in my intent to participate with a picture...but my lack of follow through :)
Especially, thanks, for giving us your inner monologue on this -- It always helps to know that the 'guru' deals with the same stuff/garbage/issues that we do!

[Ildiko]

Great idea, great video. :-)
I have joined to the perfect protest. :-)

Thank you, Brené!

[alison]

*LOVE*

[Akasa WolfSong]

Thank You Brene' for such an empowering video and post! I subscribe to your blog but have never commented here before...but if you get a chance hop on over to my blog where I give you 'Stars' for a Great Video! Some of the women are connected to me so it was super exciting to watch...I only wish it had gone slower!

Many Blessings for All that you are and All that you do ..... we can change the world one person at a time!

With honor and respect,
Akasa WolfSong

[Sara Veiga]

My name is Sara, I'm 32 and I'm Portuguese. I loved your idea of "perfect protest". I've looked for your book here in Portugal, but I think it hasn't been published here yet. I will try to buy it online, instead. If you ever need help in translating it into Portuguese, count me in. Congratulations! Big hug from across the ocean!

Sara

[Tracey Groombridge]

Love Love Love this imperfection video, definetly needs to be seen in Australia today.
:) Parent's Wisdom www.parentswisdom.com.au

[Christa.]

Yay ! And thanks to all of you...

[Good News Network editor]

I'd like to post this video on the Good News Network. Why not add it to you tube, or open it for embedding?

[Holly Case]

Suffocation is a fantastic word to describe the effects of perfectionism. Authenticity really is a daily practice and is the breath we need to keep on going.

Keep being your wholehearted, authentic self! :)

[joely]

I like this idea. I wrote about being angry for finding out hard work does not lead to perfection in my most recent essay on life, so maybe I meed to smile and add my photo to your list. I like the idea of spreading the word.

[tara pollard pakosta]

LOVE IT!
just wish the photos didn't go so fast, cause I wanted to read each
and every sign!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
tara

[Auntly H]

HI! It was great to meet you tonight. I've got so much swirling around in my head now. Your books and blog do that to me, too, but seeing you in person kicked it up a notch or twelve.

Thank you!
H

[Chiska]

I have watched your video 4 times with my kids and they can't get enough. It brings me to tears everytime. I love it! My 5 year old keeps asking to hear the "Build a K" song. When I told him it was Be OK. He said, "Ok let's hear Build a K" Inspiring to me. Thanks so much Brene and everyone else!

[Jenny W]

Loved that I could share the viedo with my 14.5 year old daughter...and that she thought it was a good message and wanted to share it with others, too. (We are both battling not to be perfection-holics). Thank you for making me think, encouraging me, and giving me tools to help my daughter's lifewalk better as well.