I absolutely love looking on blogs, in magazines and on Pinterest for inspiration. Really, I do. However sadly, sometimes it has the opposite effect on me.
The hope is that these sources would motivate and inspire us. But, many times in actuality, we end up having feelings of discouragement, frustration, even anger, just because it feels so far from our reality. And, even though I'm somewhat crafty, the downward spiral of feeling like I'm not enough still tries to trap me in it's grip.
Maybe some of these thoughts sound familiar. Thoughts like...
"You wouldn't be able to do something like that."
"Geeze, are you kidding me!? There's NO way I could make that! I shouldn't even try, because I'll just feel like a failure if it doesn't work."
Or maybe you feel like this...
"I'm not a DIY (do-it-yourself) person, so I'm not even gonna try to host a party."
I read this quote not long ago and I loved it so much I pinned it to one of my boards.
I think so much of who we are comes out of us learning to loose our fear of being wrong. If I never design a table again out of fear that it might not be the best ever, I am choosing to squelch a part of who I am. A part of how God has gifted me to be.
If I am afraid that my event design business, not might turn out to be world renown and Oprah-worthy, would that really mean that it was altogether bad?
Of course not. Let me say that again. OF COURSE NOT!!!!!
I love that as we are willing to not be the "best" often, the best comes out of us. Our best. Not Martha's. Not that blogger that you aspire to be. It's even better... it's your best.
You don't have to be crafty to throw a party. You don't even have to have DIY stuff there. Unless you want to. Unless it's something you're dying to make, and you are willing for it to be YOURS.
My mom used to say all the time, "Melissa, comparisons are odious." I used to hate that saying, and even more I hated the word "odious." I mean who says that?!? What does that even mean??? But, the longer I live, the more I've come to understand how very perfect that word is.
When we choose to believe those foul smelling comparisons, we are completely robbed of any joy to be ourselves. And being you, is really the only thing you need to do. And you're the only one who can do that.
So, go grab your own dishes (paper or not), and grab your favorite food (homemade or not) and have your besties over. They'll be so glad you asked.
I just listened to your super-fun podcast on Simple Mom, and came by to check out your site. This post really resonated with me! I'm such a perfectionist and I never want to fail or be wrong. But that's a risk I need to take!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emily! I'm right there with you, girl, so you're in good company! :)
DeleteI feel this way sometimes (I live in the mist of some very talented people!)! Thanks for the pep talk! And for using the word odious!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sweetie, Karen!! Love ya, girl. And you have some talent yourself!!!
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