Her Priorities Don’t Have To Be Your Priorities

Up until recently, the voices in my head were constantly telling me that I wasn’t quite doing things good enough. That as hard as I tried, I just didn’t have what it took to be a successful wife or mom.

This is why.

In the stay-at-home mom world, there’s quite a bit of emphasis on organization, laundry systems, making beautiful meals, home making, and everything that falls into the category of having your crap together.

Wherever I turned, it seemed I was reminded of the things I wasn’t doing enough of. If only I followed these five steps my life would be easier, if only I did this one thing before I went to bed each night, I could finally feel like I had peace in my home.

I’m all about self improvement. I really am. I want to become better every day, and I’m sure it’s true that a little more organization and a few solid processes could go a long way for me.

But sometimes? I forget about all the things that I actually am doing on a daily basis that make me a pretty damn good mom and wife.

When it comes down to it, it’s not society, Pinterest, anything or anyone else and the pressure they put on me. It’s not about whether I have a type A or B personality. In reality, it boils down to me needing to take the pressure off myself.

I need to learn to practice is self-forgiveness.

If you’re like me, (which I’m guessing you are if you read my blog) then you carry around this huge pile of shame about all your failings, shortcomings, mistakes and perceived sins.

I have a hard time letting myself off the hook.

But what I’m learning more and more every day is that life isn’t about comparing myself to the way other moms do things and then shaming myself when I’m not doing the things they do.

Life is about doing the best I can, and recognizing that my life in no way can even BEGIN to be compared to the life of another. Each of us have so many unique gifts and skills and callings. Each of us were placed on this earth for a unique purpose, and our time is split in different directions than those of our friends and family. Some of us will be at home with our kids, and some of us will work outside the home. Some of us will be somewhere in between.

We all have priorities. Maybe you have a perfectly organized home where everything has it’s place, or maybe you don’t. Maybe you have your laundry done on the daily, or maybe you let it pile up. Maybe you get your workout in every day, or maybe you’re just struggling to keep the kids alive. Maybe you have a clean car, or maybe your floorboards are covered with chicken nuggets and Cheerios.

Whatever your life looks like today, will you take a minute and recognize that you are ROCKING it?!

That your story is YOUR story and you are changing the world simply by being YOU!

So the next time you see another mom approaching a situation totally different than you would? Don’t judge her or compare yourself to her. Her priorities don’t have to be your priorities.

Walk confidently in the season and stage of life you’re in, and rest assured that all you can do is all you can do, and all you can do is enough!

xo,

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!