Heya peeps, no project here today. Just me.
I know many times people go to creative blogs and feel…not good enough. I know I do! You feel like your house isn’t clean enough, or decorated beautifully. You feel like you don’t have a vision or that you could never upholster that or paint this. You look at your budget and realize you can’t even afford a can of spray paint let alone paint something.You don’t leave feeling inspired and empowered, you leave feeling inadequate and uncreative..
My purpose in writing this blog is to inspire you to create and try it yourself. If I can motivate someone to step out of their comfort zone and paint something and be proud of their accomplishment then I feel success. If I can help someone get over their fear that they can’t do it then I feel a sense of pride.
However, the thought that even one of you look at me as perfect, put together, or better than you makes my heart bleed. I am far from any of that!
I AM NOT BETTER THAN YOU!
I suck at playing with my kids. I can do it in short increments. Some of you roll around on the floor with your kids, can play Matchbox cars for hours, watch Finding Nemo 12,000 times with your son, love reading to your children, and jump on the trampoline until you pee (if you have had a child…then yes, let’s be honest…you pee after jumping on it for more than five minutes).
YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!
My kids have had not eaten a green vegetable in two weeks. Yep, I said it. If you have fed your kids well-balanced meals and have made sure they have gotten all their daily fruits and vegetables in the last two weeks…
YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!
When you hear of someone who just had a baby and you are asked to help alleviate the burden by keeping their kids or making a meal and you do it joyfully to help someone in need instead of thinking of the inconvenience this is going to be to you…
YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!
You keep your weight under control and do not yo-yo up and down the scale 15 pounds. You have discipline and self-control and you don’t comfort eat when life isn’t going your way…
YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!
You try and look your best for your husband. You shave your bikini line, wear makeup, shower daily, and look put together when he walks in the door. You have no spray paint on your skin, you have brushed your teeth and combed your hair and rush to give him a kiss when he walks in the door.
YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!
I can be selfish, prideful, judgemental, and arrogant. I can snap at people and think less of you to feel better about myself.
I am a wreck. Yes…maybe a creative wreck…but a wreck nonetheless!
God created you for a purpose. This world needs you. There is no one on this earth like you. When fully engaged and alive you have something to offer that I can’t. Because you are uniquely you! Please don’t ever look at my gifts, abilities or projects and compare them to yours. You are comparing two different people and purposes. We all succeed at some things and fail at others. That is what makes us special.
Someone needs to hear this today. No matter what your faith background is I want you to know you are loved by God no matter how many times you fail or fall short. You are unique and have something to offer! Be blessed today friends!
Thank you for this. I have a huge stack of 'Someday' projects, and others that I just dream over. My kids won't hardly eat green veggies either. 🙂
What a great post. I think we all need to do a post like this from time to time. People have wild little imaginations when it comes to putting others on pedestals 🙂
For what it is worth… while you may not be better than me, I still think you rock 🙂
Great post.
Wonderful POST, well said!
Funny thing… I WAS THINKING of doing a similar post… only saying "I AM NOT PERFECT!" then showing my messy kitchen with dishes everywhere, laundry on top of the dryer, my kids legos spewed all over the floor in the family room like a volcano errupted legos. A table covered in sippie cups and puzzle pieces, and all the rooms covered in toys clothes and un-made beds. i WILL get to that post when I get up enough courage. THANKS for this wonderful reminder and letting everyone know they are important. Have a super day! Jenn
LOVE this post!!!
You're a girl after my own heart. I do all those things you do – in spades. LOL
Great post and definitely is nice to be reminded sometimes that no one in blog-land is perfect.
Thank you!
This was such a great post. I still think you are awesome. 🙂 Oh, and I forgot to feed my daughter lunch today. That should make someone feel better that I don't have it all together. Either that or really mad at me! 🙂
You are such a sweet person! I love this post. Blogs can be intimidating and make us feel less of ourselves. You said it so well, we all do things differently and that is what makes blogging so great. We can all come together and encourage each other maybe help someone struggling to get something done.
I'm just glad you can't see over my shoulder at my unmade bed or see the dirty dishes in the sink. Well, that's non #3's job. Blame him for the dishes.
I love true life posts! Thanks so much for keeping it real for all of us–who really still know how awesome you really are! This just proves it!
I can think of so many women, and bloggers, who need to read this –Â myself included! Thanks for the reality check! None of us are perfect, and when we see what others are doing, so many of us have a knack for thinking the other person is so much better than we are. Thanks for bursting that bubble 🙂
You are such a stud Beckie! What a wonderful post and way to bring us all down to earth. Blessings to you!
amen sister lol!!! I agree 100%%%%%!!!!!
Well said. As women I think we all need a reminder like this every now and then. I agree with everything you said completely. Nice to know you're just as down to earth & "normal" as I've assumed you are all this time! Fabulous post Beckie!
Thank you!! I've been having a bit of identity crisis recently and have begun to compare myself to others. The whole look at how together they are, look at that huge house, look at how SLIM she is (okay maybe that was more of a look at those twiggy arms… ha ha!) but I was still comparing myself to others. In fact I started to go there again with a friend when it hit me… She can never have children! Suddenly I felt bad about envying her when I know she wanted children so badly. God used it as a definite wake up call!! He created each of us uniquely and beautifully!!
As I said before thank you, you are truly a blessing!! 🙂 (Does fresh corn on the cob and cucumbers equate a "green" veggie? If so we are doing oh so well… yeah maybe it has been accompanied by hot dogs, our neighbors beef, and pringles but everyone sure is loving it!!!)
Awesome.
Whew! I couldn't agree more with this post. I have felt like I am in such a creative "hump" and sometimes reading everyone else's posts makes me feel so inadequate!! THANK YOU for the reminder that we all have our own strengths!!!
Such a good reminder not to compare ourselves to others. . . One of the things I love most about blogging is the encouragement it brings to women. Thanks for adding to that. . .
…and I'm crying… what can I say, I'm a mess! Thanks for this post!!!
How did you know what I was feeling? I just started my blog and have been thinking, it will never be as good as some of the ones I follow. My house isn't as new to begin with so it will never be pretty like those great blogs, I can't craft as good or whatever weird thought I might have pop in my head. Thanks for reminding me God made me special. Sometimes I just have to figure out what that special part is but I know I have it and you do too.
Thank for being so open about this topic. As a new blog reader and blogger – I look at other blogs and wonder 'how the heck do they find the time?' Hearing this helps. It is important to be learn from people's successes and limitations.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much! Thanks for reminding me that you have "secret flaws" too, and that I am doing more right than I give myself credit for. THANK YOU!
I couldn't help but laugh at all you "You are better than me" reasons. It was like you were describing me! I used to keep my "grooming" under control, I wouldn't even get the mail without my hair and make-up done, and I kept my weight under control; then sometime in the last two years, it all started creeping away from me. Oh well.
Love your post!! **hugs**
Thank you for this post-I totally needed it today! I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Glad to know I'm not =)
Thank you for this post-I totally needed it today! I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Glad to know I'm not =)
Thank you for this post-I totally needed it today! I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Glad to know I'm not =)
Thank you for this post-I totally needed it today! I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Glad to know I'm not =)
Beckie,
Since we've met in real life, I can imagine you saying this sitting around the living room or kitchen table. It's so true, we are all human, we make mistakes, and God loves us anyway!
I often wonder how you sahm have time to do it all. I have an empty nest and I find it difficult sometimes, kudos to you.
Now, go give those kiddos some broccoli, and don't be hard on youself!
take care!
gail
I think we all just do the best we can. Everyone has things that they think are lacking. It seems like there will always be something that someone does better than you. I've been trying really hard not to compare myself to others and it has made be a lot happier.
What a great post. I often think this way. I wish my inspiration would show thru my blog posts. I oftentimes have a tough time expressing myself from the heart. Perhaps, I need to say a little prayer before I begin a post. I want to thank you for this wonderful post. I can definitely relate.
Blessings,
Sandra
Its not easy to admit faults. Thank you for reminding us that no one is perfect. I love your honesty.
love you, Beckie! love your genuine love for others. love your creativity and the time you take to share it with all of us. it is true that i tend to skip reading your blog when i feel overwhelmed at another idea 😉 but just knowing that you are there waiting to inspire another day is such a blessing 🙂
WOW. That was so nice to hear. I read so many blogs, and the women are always so happy, and seem to have the perfect life, husband, kids, etc. IT's nice to hear someone be honest for once!
There are no perfect humans. It's hard not to compare yourself against others…but as women, I almost think it's ingrained in us.
Great post! I always leave the dreamy interior design blogs and dreamy craft blogs feeling like a poor person with zero talent, but you are so right. No one's perfect. We all have something positive we can embrace in ourselves, even if it is hard to find buried beneath all the dirty dishes and laundry!
Great post, great thoughts…thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Amen and Amen!
hmmm…. i came away from that not feeling better than you at all, but rather feeling like we have way more in common! is that scary? i am pretty sure the only green food my kids have eaten lately is the green sprinkles in their ice cream!
hmmm…. i came away from that not feeling better than you at all, but rather feeling like we have way more in common! is that scary? i am pretty sure the only green food my kids have eaten lately is the green sprinkles in their ice cream!
hmmm…. i came away from that not feeling better than you at all, but rather feeling like we have way more in common! is that scary? i am pretty sure the only green food my kids have eaten lately is the green sprinkles in their ice cream!
hmmm…. i came away from that not feeling better than you at all, but rather feeling like we have way more in common! is that scary? i am pretty sure the only green food my kids have eaten lately is the green sprinkles in their ice cream!
Great post! Thanks for being open and honest about your life. I really do stand in awe of you, though. You are right, each of us has something we do well. God bless you and yours. P.S. I didn't eat green stuff till I was in my twenties, so don't sweat it.
I sometimes think I am playing catch up with blogs like yours, like I have lost time starting so late in the blogging game, then I have to remember, you all work really hard and are successful for reasons like today's post. An honest approach and zest for things real an attainable. I will keep plugging away and try to remember to say hi to my kids once in a while. Thanks so much.
I needed to hear this today. And I'll come back when I need to hear it tomorrow… and the day after that! 🙂
Well said ! I know exactly how you feel and I completely endorse your sentiments. Great post B.
xo
Kate
Thanks, Beckie. I've had a rough week and after looking at your bird lamp and how that corner of your room has turned out I seriously thought about how you make me sick. (Hope you know that's a good thing…. doesn't sound like it, but it is.) Thanks for being a real person and not putting up a front. ; )
awesome post! i was just feeling kinda down and this perked me up.. thanks for that 🙂
Smooches & Hugs, I love you just the way you are! We aren't all perfect. And I am so glad to find someone else that neglects the bikini area too! Lol!
Hey I'm a wreck too! 😉
Sarah
I love this post…hey, we're all wrecks!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It seems as though a LOT of people needed to hear that. Your post, along with all the comments from other bloggers, was so encouraging to me. A lot of the bloggers seem to be a lot younger than me, so I look back on my life and think… “how do THEY do all this?” Everyone always brags about their dreamy husbands, wonderful children, beautiful new homes, running their different businesses, etc., etc., etc., and you wonder if the picture they paint is perhaps just a "little" more beautiful than the real thing. I appreciate your willingness to be honest and open with us, and helping us to realize that everyone suffers with feelings of inadequacies. I just recently posted such feelings on my blog (http://debbie-idodesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-need-help.html). One person that commented on my post said, “You just push the dirty dishes out of the way and take a picture!” So nice to know I'm not the only one that does that!!! You are right, God has made each of us unique in our own way — thanks for reminding us about that!
Thanks, Becky, I needed that!
I have been desperately hoping for two weeks that I will have an energy burst that will get the laundry done, the house clean, and the yard kept up. So far, nothing! :-O
It was me. I needed that. Thank you…although everything you listed as 'if you do this…..you are better than me' I don't do lol my son won't touch veggies OR fruits (ever since he outgrew baby food), I just had a baby so showers/shaving/looking good just don't happen most days. and right now I can't afford a can of spray paint. But I needed this. really bad. thank you so much. truly truly. I'm sobbing I needed this that bad.
This was such a great post! I know I needed to read this today, for sure! With all of the talent in Blogland these days, it's so easy to feel lost in the mix. Thank you for sharing your heart!!
Thank you for that! I know I needed to hear it. I'm new to blogging and have been down about the lack of visitors, etc. so I've somewhat given up. It seems impossible to achieve what you (and others) have with their blogs…but you are right. I believe each of us has gifts and talents like no one else, and we are to use them for His glory. Again, thanks for the reminder. Stop by sometime…maybe I won't give up just yet 🙂
You rock! I think it is easy to get discouraged sometimes seeing how creative others are, but we just need to realize that we all have strengths. I love looking at your projects and enjoy your talents so much. Thanks for this reminder!
Beautiful, Beckie. Truly so. Thank you for this post, and thank you for being so authentic!
I already loved you, but now I love you even more. I have a cooking blog, and I just let my kids eat cereal for dinner. Thanks for making me feel a little better about it. 🙂
Thank you for being so real and honest!! I'm with ya on all of those, especially the peeing one…to funny!! 😉 Love you and your blog!!
Great post, I am sometimes concerned people may feel like they fall short rather than inspired when they visit my blog…thanks for sharing these thoughts! Janell
A wonderful and timely post. Thank you.
well said. it seems like a lot of people feel the same way!
Fellow mommy pee'r here… can't even jog with my tween, I have to walk. You're not alone! 🙂
this one made me a little teary. I do feel inadequate sometimes, or like I'm not doing enough. This one spoke to me. Thank you!
Wow, such honesty…..you probably don't give yourself enough credit, you are probably better than you think at all the things you say you fail at. Thanks so much for the great ideas and now for encouraging words.
I love knowing I'm in the same both with others! Thanks for this one!
I most definitely needed to hear this. I constantly (mentally) beat myself up because I'm single with no kids and STILL can't have am immaculate, gorgeously decorated house. I tell myself that the animals (2 cats and 1 dog) shouldn't be an excuse and that I should be able to have it all put together AND enjoy all of my other hobbies. It really does just make me feel horrible about myself.
Thanks so much for the wake-up call. 🙂
Can we be best friends now?
My after photos have been dingy and decidedly unfinished, my hair needs a new coat of red, the only paint that's ever on my nails is Krylon, and my most popular project this week is a decoupaged spaghetti jar lid.
But the Minions do eat their vegetables.
And I'm still going to keep coming here for inspiration.
Thanks Beck…and you're right, someone did need to hear that today.
A "creative wreck"! I love that! Thanks for your encouraging words today and letting us glimpse a little more of your life beyond all the amazing roadkill rescues and DIY skills.
Thank you!!! You have offically made my day! We are human! I often get the guilts about not playing with my kids like "the neighbors mom", but I sure am good at loving them…I definately needed to hear that today!
Great comments. I think I try to be superwoman all the time – but it doesn't happen. We all have goods and bads. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you.
Well done job. I love what you post today. I agree to Cris Goode. I also think that we do a post like this from time to time. This is an amazing blog. Thank you for sharing it.
truth be told, i don't shave my bikini line either… sooooooo
😉
you are better than me.
This is a really, really, really nice post. I surf around crafty blogs all the time (and don't often comment, just lurk…terrible of me, I know), and I DO often feel inadequate! Especially compared to women who can use power tools – there seem to be more and more of those; I see those projects and just think "well, there's another project I won't be doing." But you are right – you can always try!! (if you can overcome your fear of losing a finger in a power saw…)
And my kids, too, seem to survive on crackers alone. Somehow.
So thanks!
I just wanted to tell you I loved your post. It was honest and real and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!
This was great. I think there are a lot of bloggers who only put their best on their blog (and I suspect that sometimes that best only happened in their head) not because they want readers to think less of themselves, but so readers think more of the blogger.
Everyone has their insecurities, so thanks for keeping down to Earth!
Nice post sister! Very well put! we are like soul sisters of paint-no-makeup-craziness-around-the-house-and-skin!
Amen Beckie!
Thank you so much! I desperatly needed to "hear" that! Thank you for being so very real. -Jenny
Wow, perfectly said!! Thank you!
I might have sent my kids to bed early cause I was in the middle of sewing,
and they were running around unsupervised.Hey they can't tell time yet. Love this. I think everyone has an equal bag of talents. Some are just more noticeable than others.
great post beckie!
So many of us admit that we are not perfect, why don't we ACT like we are not perfect?
Well put. Makes me feel less guilty about the nature of my personality.
Thankyou. You gave me goosebumps reading this. I struggle with getting motivated & comparing myself to other people and I also often think what do I have to offer?. You've inspired me to be ME. God bless you.
Great stuff! Love the honestly. Such truth. Thanks, girl!
This is the best post in blogland EVER!
Biquiños
Damn! I forgot to say I discovered your blog today, I came over from Ucreate. Your blog is fabulous.Thanks.
This is the first time I came across your blog and was just looking at "older posts" for the one day that my 10month old twins go to preschool and my 3 year old starts real school…and in hopes by then I will remember the creative things I've found on blogs. Maybe by then I can get MY time back to do things I love to do. I know it sounds selfish but I'm new to this stay at home mom stuff. I love my kids and I struggle sometimes with feeling like I live in my own little cave staying at home with them. I needed this today. Thank you!
thank you. your words have spoken directly to my heart on a day I needed to hear them. Sometimes that man upstairs is awfully mysterious about how he does stuff 🙂
Thank you, Beckie, for writing about reality. Blogging has actually caused me to shed tears. I never knew how inadequate I felt when it came to some others' homes, and just overall abilities to pull extra time out of thin air.
Kudos to you and the truth about life.
you have no idea how much i needed to hear about how sucky you are. i mean in general. over the last two days (since i found your blog) i have went through every page, every post (ignoring my son a few or 10 times in the process) and Have used someo f your things as inspiration for our new house. The same house that will not be ours now ( we tried to get a house and got denied) I have felt like complete and utter crap and so down, and no i haven't showered in a few days. I will be honest and say no, I am not magically lifted up and spirits high, but It did relieve the weight a bit. It comforting, I know they say that misery loves company but I love you for it.
Thanks for sharing so much for sharing all of your ideas and a little bit of yourself along the way. ok gotta go.. more pages to read im not done yet. I'll shower later..
you have no idea how much i needed to hear about how sucky you are. i mean in general. over the last two days (since i found your blog) i have went through every page, every post (ignoring my son a few or 10 times in the process) and Have used someo f your things as inspiration for our new house. The same house that will not be ours now ( we tried to get a house and got denied) I have felt like complete and utter crap and so down, and no i haven't showered in a few days. I will be honest and say no, I am not magically lifted up and spirits high, but It did relieve the weight a bit. It comforting, I know they say that misery loves company but I love you for it.
Thanks for sharing so much for sharing all of your ideas and a little bit of yourself along the way. ok gotta go.. more pages to read im not done yet. I'll shower later..
Thank you for this post. I'm new to your blog and was wowwed by your vintage tv makeover and have been reading back through your blog. You have such a wonderful way of writing and expressing yourself. You are aazingly creative and I think you make it look too easy. I'm sure most of these projects would be beyond me. But I appreciate that you took the time to talk about things maybe you aren't as great at and give us some reality because YES it is too easy to put creative people on pedestals. You are amazing, I still believe that. But now I know you are also compassionate and merciful and a real sweetheart!
Thanks! Oh and I could kick myself for not finding you a month ago and entering to win that silhouette! I'm coveting one. I won't be able to buy one for some time, but I have a huge list of uses lined up.