Talents you’ve been complimented on.

The problem with identifying something like this is I end up feeling kind of weird. I am not so good at receiving compliments about stuff I am good at. It makes me quite uncomfortable when people point out things I do well.

Now, I do have some talents, a few of which people compliment me on. It always makes me feel weird and I never know what to say. I stumble through a “Thank you for saying so” (or something to that effect), blush, and try to become invisible. I think, we as humans, are conditioned to be modest, which is really kind of silly. Not that we should flash around and say “Yes! I am the most fantastic at x!” But we could probably take a little pride in what we’ve learned to do or things we are innately good at. I am working on my compliment taking ability.

Three things I have been complimented on:

1. My eye make-up application skills. I have gotten fairly good at doing my eye make up. Eye shadow especially. People seem to like the way I do it, highlight my eyes, the colours I chose, and the sparkle. I am often stopped (sometimes by random strangers) and told this. That is weird, but I have gotten used to it as time goes on.
2. My writing. Whether it is the writing I’ve done here, other creative writing, or the technical writing I’ve done professionally, people like the way I string words together and the messages I convey.
3. My creativity in general. Whether it is the crafts I make (cards, drawing, sewing), the music I sometimes play, or my interior design projects, people (family, friends, strangers) have often commented on things I have made, projects I have shared, or work I have done how much they like what I do.

While it is difficult to put those down ‘on paper’, it does give me a sense of joy knowing that people do see the good parts of me. I love creating and sharing the things I think are beautiful with the wider world around me. I do not do this because I want to be complimented, I make and do the things I do because I want to make people smile, but having them smile and acknowledge what I do brings me happiness so it does complete a circle.

Post inspired by 30 Days of Gratitude by Ordinary & Happy