Ditch the Pinterest Dream

To the one who is struggling to be perfect….

Do you have a tendency to get online and start to feel badly about yourself? You see beautifully decorated homes, and you wonder if your walls are just too outdated and bare. You see carefully curated organizing systems, and you feel a pang of guilt that you can’t even keep the kitchen island cleared off. Young moms are juggling a half dozen extracurricular activities, dinner prep, and homeschooling, and you wonder why your days aren’t as productive as theirs. 

Let me tell you, this is a common experience among women. It all boils down to comparison, and I think it was Teddy Roosevelt who said “Comparison is the thief of joy” and there is a lot of truth to that. 

So today I just want to talk about three strategies you can implement when you start to feel this weight of comparison.  You can watch my video by clicking below or just keep reading!

#1 It's Not All Sunshine and Rainbows

Number one is to remember that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I think this is something we all know in our heads, but it’s easy to forget. But as an online content creator myself, let me tell you two things. First of all, I know that my life is being put on display for thousands to see and commentate on. Don’t take that to mean that I’m trying to be a total fake – that’s not true at all, and I think most influencers are very genuine! But I must admit that my kitchen island gets pretty untidy from time to time, but guess when I suddenly have time to clean it? Yep! Right before I pull out my camera. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward – online content creators included. 

Also remember that so many influencers and content creators genuinely want to spread positivity, and so that means that they’re probably going to share even their bad days in as positive a light as possible. 

All that to say, if you feel like your life isn’t as perfect as the lives you’re following along with online, remember that everyone has bad days and rough patches. 

#2 You Are Capable of Making the Best Decisions for Your Family

Number two, remember that you are fully capable of making the best decisions for your family. Just because you enjoy following along on someone’s journey via social media doesn't mean that their path is the right path for your family to take at this time. 

For example, let’s say one of your favorite Instagrammers just put her teenage daughter into Club level volleyball. It would be pretty fun to be a sports family! But maybe that’s not currently in your budget, or maybe you already have plans so many nights of the week that adding another extracurricular activity would add MORE stress and LESS peace. It’s okay to admire someone while also not following the same path yourself. 

You know your family and your needs, and the decisions you make are based on what matters most to you – and that’s the most important thing of all!

#3 Walk to the Beat of Your Own Drummer

And lastly, if you’re struggling to shake the weight of comparison, let me encourage you to walk to the beat of your own drummer.

This one is hard – there’s no denying that. Everyone wants to be looked up to and fit in. But what if you lived your life based on what gave YOU joy, rather than what would look good put up on Instagram? Find what inspires you and matters most to you, and pursue it with reckless abandon, regardless of how many followers are coming along for the journey. 

You have so many choices and paths to follow laid out ahead of you, all that’s left to do is to go and live your life!