The other day I was walking with one of my mom friends and we were discussing some of the 'crazy-ness' that goes on in our every day life. Whether it be motherhood, wifehood, cleaning the house-hood...We talked about it all. After the conversation I had this constant thought in the back of my mind that I couldn't shake. I feel like I've always known this thought to be true. But convincing myself of it's reality some days can be hard.
Just like me, this friend has a messy house. Just like me, this friend has crazy kids. Just like me, this friend has struggles and trials. Just like me, this friend eats ice cream. Just like me, this friend doesn't have 6 pack abs.
Why do we have this 'expectation' that others have it/are doing it better?
Why do we believe what we see? Why do we believe what we read? And honestly, why have we become SO focused on things that are of little importance.
On a daily basis we SEE not only how the Jones' next door are living, but we also see how the Smith's in Idaho are living, as well as the Millers in California too. It's no longer keeping up with the dang Jones' next door, but now we've got to keep up with the neighboring states as well?! FU-REAK!
Trust me. We think 'so-and so's' house is always clean. And that person never has to worry about money. Or her kids are dressed so cute, and so is she! Love the dress, hate her right? And I bet that mom is a fun mom, all my kids ever do is watch movies and play iPad. Oh look! Another romantic getaway for her and her husband! And COME ON, do those kids really like asparagus and eggplants?! Like seriously?
You guys. It's not really that real.
It's a filter of reality. It's a filter of pretty things. And trust me, our eyes are just drawn to pretty, shiny, clean things! (Like clean kitchens! OMG! So hot.)
Part of living a healthy lifestyle, in my eyes at least, is not being drawn to the shiny, grass is greener on the other side aspect. It's all about finding happiness in today, finding gratitude in what we have now, and realizing that although someone might look like they have it all, they don't. No one does, and that my friends is ok. What fun is having a perfect life anyways?
I mean, isn't it more fun to spend 45 minutes a night just trying to get 3 kids to bed?! Now that's an adventure!
I won't lie though. I love pictures of white kitchens and cute outfits. I'm a sucker for a dessert covered in sprinkles, kale salads, and running workouts. I find joy in these things, but we have to remember one thing...
It's okay to find joy in these things, but it's not the main source of joy. These things bring instant gratification but not everlasting happiness. Except I'm pretty sure dessert brings everlasting happiness...
Now, here is where it's going to get real...Here is a peak as to what filters I could have used just this week:
I recently finished decorating the babies room and it's SUPER cute. I wanted to take a picture of the crib against the 'THIS IS MY FAVORITE COLOR TURQUOISE" wall, and put it on instagram. The picture would have been cute, but I was having a hard time positioning it to where you couldn't see my dirty laundry...Literally.
Bam, brick to face. Nothing wrong with pretty pictures of beautiful rooms, trust me. But what might look like a pretty clean room, is really hiding a week (or more) of laundry just begging to be taken care of. (I know you guys, laundry is of the devil. We've had this conversation before I feel like...)
But still. That wall color though...
This one is pretty hard for me to post, being a 'healthy eater' and all. I was seriously about to post a picture of my lunch on instagram, but I had to move the Burger King Kids meals bags and milkshakes out of the way. Um...HYPOCRITE much?! "So you feed your kids shiz, and you eat healthy?!"
Yes.
In that moment, yes. I make 3 meals a day for my family (expect my husband is only 2), and I rarely take them to fast food. BUT, we've done it. Do I hate it? Totally. But my kids love it, and it's a treat to them. This particular day, my oldest had started her 2nd week of Kindergarten and needed a little pick me up/treat. We had construction guys in our kitchen and I didn't want to go down and make 3 lunches, so I told them I would get them hamburgers and milkshakes. It was a fun outing for them! I had some of their milkshake and came home and made myself this lunch.
Of course you would have never have known the back story had I just 'shoved' the BK bags to the side...
I think I'll end on this because well...
Love you friends!!