When Meghan asked me to guest post on The Tuckers Take Tennessee, I wondered what I would share with you, her readers. It occurred to me that the majority of you are probably moms, and being a mom myself, I thought I would share some encouragement along the lines of motherhood.
”Let go of PERFECT”
In today’s social media world, there is a certain pressure added to moms. A pressure to be “perfect” parents, spouses, community members, Christians, etc.
All around us we see glimpses into what appear to be homes that have it altogether and all figured out.
· Some blogs show moms who are crafty.
· Other blogs highlight a family’s homeschool successes
· Facebook shows pictures of happy families and happy children
· Twitter is full of moms who somehow found time to clean their whole house, do all their laundry, homeschool their kids, run a successful business from home, and still have time to tweet with friends {or so we might think}
How can we possibly keep up? I know I can’t!
My house is rarely clean {just ask my husband!}, my laundry only gets washed occasionally, my kids spend a lot of time playing alone, we eat a lot of take-out, and I am still trying to find my sanity at the end of most days.
We need to understand that the “perfect picture” we often see online isn’t the whole story {or even the “real” story sometimes}. What others choose to show the world is usually the best of their lives {or what they wish their lives looked like and the rest is kept behind closed doors.
As a result of this filtered view of others’ lives, we find ourselves growing increasingly self-conscious and discontent if we compare our lives to the lives we see others living. This not only creates unnecessary tension and jealousy, but also loneliness.
When we play the comparison game, we often find ourselves on the outside looking in. And it’s lonely out here!
“A good deal of this loneliness stems from our reluctance to talk honestly with each other about the parts of our lives that don’t work, the stuff that pushes us to the brink – and the things we’d like to change.” {from Good Enough is the New Perfect}
The good news is – you’re not alone!
Within these same communities that shine with “perfection” are people who are real – just like you! We are moms going through similar struggles as you are, and we’re looking for “real people” to do LIFE with.
When we realize that we’re all just trying to find our way through LIFE together, we can stop comparing and start encouraging.
Ashley Pichea invites you to join her in living intentionally by faith everyday and making your goals reality. Connect with Ashley on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to her blog.
Thank you! Very true. I appreciate it and so will my wife. I am sharing this with her.
Thank you! I am glad that God used my words to encourage you. 🙂
Thanks for being “real”. It is easy to hide behind social media or be blinded by it. We all need to realize no one is perfect and we shouldn’t try to be! Just be real!
I’m so glad to have online friends that “keep it real!” Thanks for being one of them, Marci!
Great Post and so true. Thanks for keeping it real!
Thank YOU, Amy, for taking the time to read it and leave encouraging words!
Great post, Ashley! I was just thinking of doing a “Keepin’ It Real” post of my own after the day I’ve had today. *sigh While none of us like to “air our dirty laundry” it IS there. I tend to stay away from bloggers who pretend it isn’t… they’ve got it too together for me 😉
I’ve been there, Robin, and having friends who “keep it real” online has brought me back to sanity time and time again. It was only about a month ago that I tweeted, “I want to run away,” and the twitt-o-sphere rallied me back from the deep. We need one another!
Hey, Ashley! VERY encouraging post. Even as an empty nester, I seldom have the house very clean — and sometimes that laundry does pile up. I love my life but am learning not to chase the elusive dream of perfection.
Thanks for the encouragement, Jan! Keep chasing God, and not “perfection”!!
Oh,so true, Ashley. There has to be a balance. I don’t want to share too much of the icky stuff in my home…not because it isn’t there…or because I want others to think I’m perfect…but, I had an interesting conv with a non-blogging Mom one day…she said she was looking for some help, some advice, some inspiration and blog after blog had nothing but neg comments about their family, about others…and that was not what she wanted…she wanted someone who was real, but didn’t air all of their dirty laundry…..so, I try to balance mine. I try to share when days are difficult, but give glory to God and find the beauty…like Ann’s book…counting the blessings….not trying to be fake…but, keeping my eyes on him.
I read this post and found it so refreshing. Then I reread who was the author and let me say this… Ashley you never disappoint! Thank you for being so real and down to earth. I always enjoy your posts!