Did you know that your self-image is very important to your future success?
It seems to me, that we as women, fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others way too often.
I might compare the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of my house to friend’s house or I might compare my lack of decorating prowess to that of a Pinterest-worthy home.
I cannot help but walk into church on any given Sunday and see how so and so got new clothes again and I’m still wearing last winters.
Another huge trap is comparing our children to other children, whether it be in behavior, grades or sports. Yikes.
Why do I bring up all these issues? Because I believe it is highly important to tell yourself that you are enough just the way you are.
You don’t have to lose 10 lbs, buy better clothes, clean your house more, hire an interior designer or buy new kids. Right now, the way you are is just fine. The Bible says that when God created you, he looked at you and said you were good.
However, the biggest part of our problems as women is that we continually call ourselves down. I yelled at my kid, today. I am the world’s worst Mom. Never mind, that you are awesome most of the time. Never mind, that you are awesome most of the time. I hate how I look when really you look pretty darn good for having had 3 kids. Sure your house isn’t clean all the time, but do you spend a whole pile of time with your kids or work a full-time job? And yes, your house doesn’t look like it came from a magazine in the decorating department, but you live in your house. You have precious humans in your house. If it looked perfect all the time, you would more than likely be completely alone. I can’t think of a more depressing thought.
Here are some ways we can change the way we look at ourselves
- Instead of being angry at yourself because you aren’t as skinny as you were at such and such an age, do your best to eat healthily and get some exercise or movement a few times a week. Don’t worry so much about what the scale says. Do your best. If you aren’t there yet, choose one thing to change if you are up for it and be happy with that. Remember you are beautiful just the way you are.
- Instead of being jealous of someone’s new clothes, see if you can try putting a few outfits together with what you already have in your closet. It just might make you feel better about your old clothes.
- Instead of worrying about how your house doesn’t stack up to someone else’s, just remember you are doing the best you can with the time you have. That other person with the perfect house is sacrificing something else to have that house.
- Instead of worrying about whether your kids behave perfectly, have better grades than other kids, or are better at Sports, take the time to enjoy the moments you do have with them. Whether it’s the chat in the car on the way to school or the time spent playing Lego on the living room floor, make sure to enjoy the moments you do have.
Something to remember: everyone feels insecure about at least several areas of their lives at any given time. None of us are perfect at everything we do. Even supermodels have things they are insecure about. I am, personally, learning that the more I work to be me and not worry about others, the happier I am. When I let go of what I “think” others are thinking of me, I recognize that I am enough just the way I am.