FSU welcomes the #PerfectlyImperfect Tour

Last week, the Florida State chapter of Her Campus hosted a tour put out by their national branch called #PerfectlyImperfect, sponsored by Plan B One-Step. Set up at Union Green, both representatives of the national branch and FSU’s branch interacted with students with the hopes of spreading the message of loving yourself and accepting the imperfect moments in life. Among the activities was a chance to meet Carly Aquilino and Nessa Diab from MTV’s  Girl Code. The event lasted all day and ended in the evening with a panel  about the importance of emergency contraception for women. Carly and Nessa were there, as well as one of the founders of Her Campus and an Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Diana Ramos.

During an interview, Dr. Ramos emphasized that, “People should be using some type of contraception that is reliable and they can use daily and not rely on emergency contraception as the primary contraception. Plan B is used when the normal contraception that you should be using fails you.”

I had the opportunity to speak to Carly and Nessa about their own opinions regarding the tour, and what their advice was for handling the perfectly imperfect moments in their lives. We talked about everything from an instance where the crew was attacked by bees during their first tour stop to how, as you get older, the trivial parts of life like worrying about people liking you evolve into dealing with constipation. Ultimately, the two believe life’s all about learning to overcome the imperfect moments and finding the greatness in them… and adding more fiber to your diet.

What inspired you to be a part of #perfectlyimperfect?

Carly: I think that it’s important to talk to girls, especially girls that are in college, is to know with everything that it’s okay to talk about things  so that they’re not ashamed and know what their options are and just kind of just get it all out there for everybody.

Nessa: And we understand that even as young women there is so much pressure out there. Things that could be uncomfortable to talk about shouldn’t really be uncomfortable. We should be proud that we are women and that we aren’t perfect and we’re just trying to take each day as it comes and that’s exactly what the #perfectlyimperfect campaign stands for.

Do you think perfection exists? Is it possible to obtain it?

C: I don’t think so, it’s something in your mind that you create because even people that you look at and think, “Oh this person is perfect and has a perfect life,” it’s not real. It just could be something that they’re posting on Instagram or a magazine. Nobody has a fairytale life, it’s just not reality. And so I think that’s something where the more older you get the more comfortable you are with that. It’s easy to say, “Oh, this girl is amazing” but really she’s just like everyone else.

N: She cries, she has feelings.

C: Yeah, it’s just insecurities and accepting that we’re all people.

N: I think the only perfect thing is being imperfect. That’s the only thing that we know for sure. Like, that’s solid and guaranteed. We’re just, you know, imperfect.

How do you personally accept your imperfections?

N: Oh man, you just gotta get over it. Life goes on. You have bills to pay and things to take care of. You can’t stop and panic over things that make you feel insecure. You just gotta go “Oh, whatever” I have big feet, big arms, big whatever…

C: That’s the best thing to do. Just kind of embrace it and poke fun at it in a way. That’s how I deal with my insecurities, I’ll just bring them out and talk about them and it’s always just relatable to people. And they’ll be like, “Oh, I feel that way about my hair or I feel that way about my ears” and it’s just always something that everyone can relate to. So I think just talking about it and embracing it and accepting and just loving it helps.

What about for situations like, you’re headed to class and you’re really stressed out over an exam and you spill coffee all over yourself, how do you handle that type of situation?

N: That’s the last thing you need to worry about, you just gotta pass that exam. Do you know what I mean? It is what it is and it should make you more motivated to hurry up, get done with the exam, and do well, and get home to change your shirt.

C: Yeah, it’ll be okay. Nothing is the end of the world. You think spilling something is apocalyptic and then you’re like oh wait i just need to get my stuff done and then I can go home and change, take a shower, and get anything done that I need to do.

N: There’s more to life!

C: But I am really dramatic about literally everything that happens to me. It’s easier said than done.

Do you have any advice that you’d give to your twenty year old self?

C: I think I would just say to be comfortable in your own skin and don’t chase anybody else’s life because it’s not your life. You know? Just kinda be comfortable and love what you are and just embrace it, really.

N: Be kind to yourself, I think we are so hard on ourselves, I don’t think we give ourselves a break. I mean literally we will drive ourselves insane, and so I think doing that and realizing that it’s going to be okay. Believe it or not, even though it seems like the end of the world you just have to take a deep breath. It really works.

Do you have a favorite memory from the tour?

I think the best part about it has been meeting everyone just being able to have that connection and talk to them and be like listen, we’re people, we go through the same things. You’re saying when you’re twenty, well I’m twenty-five and still have to remind myself of these things all the time. You need to constantly remind yourself that everything will be okay, especially when you’re at this age-you have hypersensitivity  because there are a lot of changes going on. So I think that’s been the best part about it for me, just talking to the students and the girls and Her Campus and just getting to know them.

That’s incredible! Between your involvement with #perfectlyimperfect and Girl Code, what is your main message that you hope to give to young women?

N: I know it’s cliche, but really love yourself, be kind to yourself and just be authentic to what makes you happy. DIfferent things make different people happy. What makes Carly happy won’t necessarily make me happy, although it is-it’s food. But, let’s just hypothetically say-

C: Wait, here’s a good example Nessa can’t have cheese-

N: Doesn’t mean I don’t like it-I’m vegan now

C: Different strokes for different folks!

N: And you have to be okay with finding out what makes you happy and doing that and being okay with and being unapologetic about being happy for you.

C: Honestly, love yourself and being positive-that’s what it is. And the best thing to do is just educate yourself on what your options are and what you can do if something doesn’t go the way that you planned it. And I think that IS the message that we are portraying.