I’m dragging this week, peeps. Instead of driving the car on the road of life, I feel as though I’m being dragged on the under side of the vehicle. I know I do it to myself. Well partly. It’s true, I try to do too many things. I like it all but there are only 24 hours in a day and I do need a few hours of shut-eye. And when I fail to keep up, I get frustrated, anxious and exhausted. The other part of the equation is the stuff of real life. The errands, the meal prep, cleaning, the running from here to there. Again, draining.
I can convince myself people have it all together, whether business wise or in real life, when I look in from the outside. I don’t see other moms struggling to get out the door on time. I don’t see them battling with their little ones about meals, clothing or whenever they are overly tired. Or overly hungry. I don’t see when other people have to take the car in for an unexpected expensive fix. I don’t see other business people work the long hours and miss sleep. I tell myself I am the only one who deals with these things because I am inferior.
However, I’ve been told these things don’t just happen to me. It’s not something people just blurt out. I know I don’t share the times when I fail and fall short. Unless it’s a funny story and will elicit a laugh from my family and close friends.
So, I was thinking. To dispel the misconception of perfection and having it together, here are some truths for today.
1. I procrastinate sometimes. There are things I like to do more and sometimes I avoid the things I don’t like. Plus, a good book can completely derail me.
2. I was chided for not following the rules in the school drop off lane this week. I had a good reason, I promise. :)
3. Beyond the frame of my photos, chances are likely you will encounter a mess. Whether it’s projects, both current and future, failed projects I don’t have the heart to throw yet, supplies, children’s drawing, toy figurines or cars, packages and paper work I don’t want to deal with (see no. 1), I don’t have time to keep everything in line.
4. We don’t eat beautifully plated food and thank goodness no one cares. To be honest, if it didn’t set a bad example, I would eat from the couch every night. By that time of day all I want is to sit comfortably and fill my tummy.
5. Unless I am going to be photographed or will be interacting with people outside my family, I rarely pay attention to my appearance. I do not count last-minute trips to Target as interacting with people. :)
In conclusion, let’s remember no one is perfect (or at least it’s clear I am not). As I breathe deep and keep working away, be kind to yourself.
Happy Wednesday!
Dear Amy, your feelings, lists, and daily struggles sound almost exactly like mine: Last night, my son ate his dinner without hysterics, AND went to bed without a meltdown for the first time in nearly three months. I change into pj’s as soon as I walk through the door in the evening, and eat dinner on the couch plopped right in front of the TV whenever I can get away with it despite the fact that I was raised eating every single meal at the table. My car registration is nearly two months expired, and I have recently redefined what “on time” is in the morning. Hold on, pretty lady, tomorrow will come and may just be a little sunnier!
Thank you for sharing that with me Janet! Oh my goodness. So glad to hear that it doesn’t just happen to me. :)
Oh Amy. I’ve been thinking about you and this post a lot today. Feeling inferior is such a difficult thing to wrestle with, isn’t it? Especially when my best isn’t as good as I would like it to be…
Also, anyone who doesn’t procrastinate needs more hobbies. :-)
Thank you so much Rachel. Some days it’s just harder to keep my head up. Your message was wonderful to read. And the procrastination line is completely true!!
Ha–number 4!
I love this. Even though I realize on some level that nobody has it all together, the truth is that sometimes I like to hear it–straight out. Life is a two-sided coin and there will always be the good and the bad, with the bitter making the sweet that much sweeter (if you let it). Thanks for the great reminder.
And thanks to Janet too!
Did you write this especially for me? Because it feels like you did. We have oh so much in common my friend and something about just knowing that makes me feel better … as I sit here with hours of work ahead of me and no drive to get it done … the morning will be here all too soon and I will be late, again, getting out of bed and getting started with my day.
It helps to have friends you can dream big dreams with, happy to have found that in you :)
Thanks for sharing … and for feeling me on the still in my pajamas that kind of look like workout clothes at Target days :)
Amy, you must stop thinking that you are inferior. I was just having this same conversation with some co-workers yesterday. We were all talking about our various perceived short-comings and how we didn’t feel that we measured up. As women we put so much pressure on ourselves. We think that we must work, take care of the kids, take care of the house, do all the errands, and take care of a spouse all the while cheerfully smiling as if it was no big deal. IT IS A BIG DEAL and IT’S REALLY HARD so stop putting yourself down and instead take the time to pat yourself on the back because you have the courage to do all the things you do!!! You ROCK so remember that.
Amy…I was drawn to your site because of the poke-a-dot tights, and then found the punched paper balls rather calming. So while you may feel like you are dragging, that happens, we have lots of demands on our time. Creative moments sometimes are hard to gather up to coincide to your own timetable. I learned long ago that perfection is over-rated, truly it is. Find out what your passions are and incorporate those into your life style…and be kind to yourself.
Woman, I feel ya. Totally and fully.
On my list:
1. Sometimes I swear. Like a lot. When the kids aren’t here I basically walk around the house using a sailor’s tongue.
2. I am the worst housekeeper. Ever. You will always find dust balls in my house.
3. I am too hard on others. I expect far too much and I’m prone to psychoanalyzing everything. It’s annoying.
4. I engage in a good deal of negative self talk. People say I’m confident, but I’m the biggest wuss there is.
5. My kids eat hot dogs, spaghetti, and baked beans a lot.
Oh and I may rival you for the title of biggest procrastinator ever. ;)
xx
This was refreshing.
I know we have lots in common already, and #3 is one of them. Sometimes I look at the food photography on our blog and laugh because I was probably tripping over duplo blocks, with props as I took pictures…and you know that the remains of our lunch and dishes scattered just outside the shot.
My confession: with this pregnancy I cannot wear anything even remotely tight for longer than I need to. So the minute I come home, everything comes off except sweatpants, and a really baggy tshirt/sweatshirt combo. It’s as sexy as it sounds.
PS – good books derail you too? I think you’re going to need to post a list of your recent good reads so you can help me procrastinate too.