What If My Life Is Enough, Just The Way It Is?
How I should "Fake it till you make it!".
Hold up a minute. It's okay to fake my way through life? And until I make it where exactly?
I am confused.
As hard as I try, social media so often leaves me feeling like my life is being put under someone else's microscope until I am being sucked in and comparing myself to the perfectly filtered world around me.
Confession: I was guilty of buying into this nonsense for far too long. The constant chatter that I had to keep setting my sights and goals higher in all areas of my life in order to reach someone else's version of the perfect lifestyle.
But what if my life is enough just the way it is?
What if being at home in my favorite pair of lounge pants, flip flops and $8 Target t-shirt with my hair in a messy bun working from my laptop makes me happy? What if I never own a designer handbag and am happy with my very cute, very cheap messenger bag that holds my wallet and favorite lip gloss because I value building my savings more than I do material things? What if I never meet the definition of an "influencer" and my home doesn't live up to Instagram square worthiness because I like my home to be an eclectic mix of things I love that don't follow trends?
What if honoring the person I am today right now in this very moment, the imperfect hot mess all of me, is where my soul finds fulfillment? What if my vision board consists of weekend trips to state parks, camp fires with my boys and trips traveling through small towns to rummage through antique shops? Where contentment is found in slowing down, simplicity and a less is more way of life.
What if my business never creates a 6 figure income? What if I define success based on Godly goals I set for my business and who I work with? What if I am not interested in launching a product to sell to the masses so I can claim a rags to riches story. Does that make me any less successful that I don't earn 5 figures per month and can't flash a high end lifestyle all over social media? What if I never have more than a hand full of followers because I value quality over quantity?
What if I never travel the world and go to exotic places and dine in 5 star restaurants? What if I am happy being an introverted home body who loves to express her creativity through writing and enjoys the occasional trip to my local java spot to support and connect with local peeps? What if my joy is found sitting in my back porch rocking chair listening to the wind and the laughter of my children move with the breeze through the trees?
What if we start embracing progress over perfection as women and moms? Kicking people pleasing to the curb once and for all and choose to pursue what brings us joy on our own terms, to love who we are unapologetically. What if we value the stay at home mom the same way we do a boss babe who is chasing her crazy dreams?
What if we finally admit that success is subjective and looks different for everyone? Where we stop shaming the moms on our friends list telling her she is living a life of excuses and accept that she is just not interested in selling stuff to her friends and family. What if we support the happiness she finds in play dates and Pinterest crafts with her kids or working her 9-5 job, because here's the truth...it doesn't make her any less ambitious that her path is not an entrepreneurial one.
What if we stop listening to the opinions and judgments of others and instead lean into who God created us to be? Trusting Him to use us right where we are and our gifts and talents to bring value into the lives of others? Our unique beauty into the world that will glorify Him to those who need to know they too are loved and treasured no matter their past or mistakes.
So this is me, declaring what happiness and success looks like for my life.
That I won't buy into anyone making me feel less than because it does not mirror their expectations.
That I will own every ounce of my worth and imperfections.
To honor the journey of growth I am on, knowing that I can boldly pursue my passions without feeling stressed out or rushed to fit into someone else's timeline.
Where the definition of success goes much deeper than the number of zeros at the end of the balance on my bank account and how many social media followers I have.
Where it's okay to value deep connections over having thousands of email subscribers.
That I give myself permission to be perfectly happy with my life my way and on my terms while knowing I possess the power to change it if at any time I become unhappy.
At the end of the day I know what best defines success and happiness for me and my family, not anyone else. I know when my life is enough and when it's not.
And friend, I pray deeply that you do too.
Comments
Post a Comment