November 5, 2013

That Girl

You know that girl.  The one who always has beautiful pictures on her blog.  The one who seems to have the most loving husband and well-behaved kids.  She's the one who can out-craft Martha Stewart and out-cook Paula Deen.  The one who gets up and dressed in the latest fashions just for preschool drop off.  The one who fit into her pre-pregnancy jeans just days after giving birth.  She's the girl who has you saying, "I want to be more like her!".

Well, I've got news for you, she's human too and she doesn't feel that "awesome".

She struggles with her toddler and has moments when she thinks, "I can't do this anymore."  She doesn't have a perfect marriage, none of us do.  She struggles to find balance among all the things on her to-do list.  She's burnt dinner before or, worse yet, taken her family to McDonald's because putting dinner on the table just wasn't happening that night.  There have been days where she doesn't get out of her pajamas, let alone take a shower.

"She" is you.

It's easy to get caught up in "the grass is always greener" mentality these days.  With the instant click of a button we can share our prettiest projects and tastiest dinners and most adorable outfits.  Sure we don't share the failures in between, who wants to see that?  No one wants to see the dinner that went straight to the trash or the art project that didn't quite live up to it's Pinterest inspiration.  That doesn't mean that those things never happened, it just means you didn't see it because "she" didn't chose to share it.

You are "her".

She looks at you and thinks you are pretty awesome too.  She feels insecure at times and wonders what she can do to be more like you. Yes, you.  You have some pretty great qualities too and I bet if you sat down for a while you'd realize it too.  You have a lot to offer your friends and family and there is someone out there who thinks the same about you that you think about "her".

So kick those negative thoughts to the curb.  Quit comparing yourself.  You are awesome and someone thinks the world of you. Take a look in the mirror.


19 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this post. It is so easy to see "that girl" and compare you life to hers and wonder what you are doing wrong because hers looks so perfect. Reading blogs and looking at pics on Instagram makes me feel that way sometimes. Great reminder that that is only a tiny snap shot of the good and not the whole story.

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  2. Awesome post Shannon...you always know how to inspire while keepin it real!! One of the many reasons I love your blog!!! And she is you too...your awesome!

    Kate @ www.raisingtherogers.blogspot.com

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  3. Adore this, 'cause you KNOW that's me sometimes.

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  4. love it! yes this is a reminder that some may suck at pictures but they still deserve a chance, and those who rock at pictures and use flowing words still have a stressful life and need a break once in awhile as well :)

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  5. This is so great! We all need to hear this...sometimes on a weekly basis.

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  6. Yes. This is exactly why I DO share those dinner failures, and messy house pictures, and imperfect days in my posts. Because I never want anyone to think my life is perfect. Most days I'm a hot mess- just ask my poor husband. Ha! And last night? The kids ate cereal for dinner and I'm not sure what (or if) my husband ate dinner because that yummy chicken recipe I found on Pinterest? Yeah, no so yummy after all. Great post, Shannon!

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  7. Thank you for writing this! We all need to hear this! :)

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  8. Perfect. Loved it. Could have written it myself.

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  9. Love this! I am that girl and sometimes I find myself getting caught up in trying to be the other girl that shows only her weaknesses and failures. Balance, balance, balance…so difficult!

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  10. I just adore this post. I struggle with comparing myself to other Moms. But thanks to post just like this and friends and family, I know I could be "that girl" to someone else and Lord knows I'm far from it!

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  11. yes, yes! Not even a mom and I still compare myself to everyone.

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