The last few weeks I’ve been having a hard time blogging. It’s not because I haven’t had some great ideas on what to blog about. I could blame it on being busy, but honestly, I’m always busy, so that’s an excuse, too! I’ve started about 6 different posts and had multiple ideas floating around in my head. Creativity isn’t even the problem! The problem has been me and the ugly thoughts that race through my mind when I’m writing, thinking about writing, or finishing up something new I’ve been working on! Here’s how my thought process works:
- “This would be a great idea to put on the blog!”
- Then life happens. You know, interruptions with family, kids, and other events on the calendar.
- Combine those interruptions with a few of my other destructive behaviors such as visiting other blogs and comparing mine to theirs, browsing Pinterest, or even Facebook, this sets of a battle of “let’s destroy my self-esteem” inside my head.
- Pinterest and Facebook are great, sometimes. However, they are a brilliant combination for attacking your personal self esteem if you let them. Facebook is sneaky because people don’t usually air their dirty laundry on it. They list their happy, seemingly perfect lives which makes you start to compare your life to what you are reading. I have found myself extra vulnerable when I’m having a mommy melt down moment and hop on my phone for a minute break clicking on the Facebook button.
- Pinterest can be worse! The beautiful projects and recipes you see on Pinterest that look so easy to replicate anyone can do it, right?!
- Self doubt and comparison start to creep in during our vulnerable moments. This combination is brutal and the worst part is is caused by me. It’s not caused by anyone else, it’s my own battle.
- Two other nasty frenemies contribute to my self loathing battle. These are known as perfectionism and procrastination. This may seem like a strange combination to some, but they are a brutal force causing self doubts of “If it’s not going to be perfect when you do it, why even try at all?”. The perfect example of this is cleaning my house when my children will mess it up as soon as it’s clean.
When we let these nasty thoughts run our lives, we do not live the lives God created us to live. Our passion dwindles and yuck creeps in. Ladies, we don’t have to live like this! There have been several times in the last few years when stepping out of my comfort zone has been so rewarding! I was scared to death to go zip-lining when we vacationed in St. Kitts a few years ago. It was honestly one of the coolest experiences of my life. I’d do it again in a heart beat. Not only was it fun, it was beautiful and if I hadn’t done it, I really would have missed out on a wonderful experience and memory. Starting this blog was scary.
I didn’t know how to put myself out there with my brave mask on. “What if people judge me? What if they don’t like what I am writing about? What if…?”
What if I could help one person each day?
Maybe if we looked at our lives from the other view, we’d be happier, healthier women.
What if we encouraged one another? What would happen if we lived our lives with the passion and gifts God has given us? Who can you encourage today?
You may have to step out of your comfort zone but I’m sure the woman you’re encouraging will not only be grateful but it might give her the courage to step out and to live her passion as well.
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