I saw her pictures online of the amazing celebration she hosted for a large group of people. And I immediately wondered, “How on earth does she do it?”
I knew how much she had going on in her life so I just didn’t see how she could pull it off. How does she juggle so many things, have her own business, have more children than me, host these amazing parties, and do it all so effortlessly?
The thoughts of comparison and me not measuring up began swirling in my brain. But then she confided, “You know I was a mess last week? I was so frustrated and stressed. I wanted to run away from all the to-do’s I had to do. I was upset at my kids. And just plain overwhelmed with life.”
Folks, it’s never as perfect as it may seem. No one has it altogether. Superwoman doesn’t have a clone. And no matter how incredible some woman may look or how gifted she is or how thin she is, she has struggles just like you and me.
Don’t look at another woman and feel like you don’t measure up. You are YOU, not her. Even if she looks like she has it altogether, I promise she has struggles that just might not be showing outwardly right now.
Life is messy, our dreams don’t always pan out, our hopes are sometimes dashed, and we often falter and fail. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t hide behind a facade hoping that if you look more impressive people will like you.
There is beauty in being our real authentic selves. Because it’s only when we are our true selves, that others can love us for who we really are — messes, struggles, and all.
In my new book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, I share vulnerably about my own struggle to find safe friends and how being willing to be authentic with others changed my life. If this is something you struggle with, too, I think you’ll be encouraged to read about my journey. You can pre-order your copy here, if you haven’t done so already.
Tshanina @ Thrifty T's Treasures says
The Lord’s been teaching me over the past few years that all of us have struggles, insecurities and things we would change about ourselves. No one has it all together! We are all works in progress!
Steph @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
We’re all made to excel in certain areas and once we embrace that, we will truly thrive 🙂
Lety says
It feels great to have stopped comparing myself to others. It opened me up to appreciating the blessings in my life so much more. I am looking forward to your book, Crystal 🙂
amanda raker says
what a great reminder. thank you
Diana says
So true! And it’s so ingrained in human nature to do that. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
I’ve also been thinking about enjoying the process of doing things, not just the end results. If I don’t enjoy the process of something (e. g. I love the result of refinished furniture but hate researching methods, buying paint, prepping the wood, and brushing paint on), then I can choose guilt-free not to do it. I love the processes of sewing and baking, so I can focus on those things because I enjoy (almost!) every step. It’s been a good way to help choose which things can be priorities for me and not get stressed out by stuff. If you’re enjoying the process, you’re not nearly as likely to get worked up when it doesn’t go right!
Becky says
Great insight, thank you for sharing this! I tend to have the mindset that I need to do *everything*. Cook and bake from scratch, garden, repair or build things myself, craft, sew, crochet, the list goes on. I enjoy many of these things, but because I’m so focused on the end result and not the process, I’m finding it stressful to do everything I feel like I should be doing. I need to be better about picking and choosing projects and then really focus on what I’m doing in the moment!
Shannon.Kennedy says
Beautiful post. Thank you!
Cate R. says
I definitely appreciate this, Crystal. And particularly since I know I can’t be the only onewho looks reads your blog and feels like a loser sometimes. But that is my hungup, comparing myself to others, but it’s good ro know I’m not alone. It’s good to realize that people have different advantages and disadvantages and sometimes it’s not “fair” or whatever, but God is doing different things through different people. For us, there seems to be this impenetrable wall of circumstances making it essentially impossible to ever make progress on debt or get anywhere financially. But Dave Ramsey isn’t Jesus. Who knows, maybe God is teaching us something by being stuck where we are. And when I think of how far I’ve come… I don’t know ANY former heroin addicts who are now a Christian homemaker (like me). People don’t know what I’ve had to come through when they look at me, and I forget too. But this is a good reminder, so thanks : )
melissa says
Wow–you have an amazing story! Praise God! We are all still a work in progress.
Lety says
I agree with Melissa! What a blessing and show of strength on your part to now be free of heroine. It sometimes feels like we have not made any improvements in life, though we actually have. We just need to do as both Crystal and you mention…compare where we were and where we are instead of comparing where we are in comparison to others.
Crystal says
I am so inspired by you… to hear of the transformation in your life is just INCREDIBLE! Be encouraged; you might not be where you want to be, but you have made HUGE strides in the right direction and that’s something to celebrate!
{Hugs!}
Anne says
Have you heard of SuperRad Christian Chick? I can’t really give an endorsemnet because I don’t know much about her nor do I follow her but I read in her bio that she is also a former heroin addict. I just wanted to share in case her blog is helpful for you.
Congratulations on your recovery. God bless you for sharing with the MSM community; you might have just inspired other women with addictions that there is hope.
Natalie says
Just ordered your book! I am very excited! I just love following you and all the awesome deals, recipes, financial, and life tips and strategies you past on your blog and facebook. Thank you.
Crystal says
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
Momma Katie says
This is so true! And I always appreciate it when someone who seems to have it all together confides his/her struggles. We all have our ups and downs!
Stephanie @ Mrs. Debtfighter says
Looking forward to getting your book!! 🙂
melissa says
This is twice I’ve heard someone “talk” on this topic in the last 3 days. I think God is trying to tell me something.
Sonja says
So true! Thank you for being authentic with us! We need this!!!