This post brought to you by:
To continue in our theme of the month of LOVE I was thinking about this popular song, “stop in the name of love..” I decided to take this idea and talk about things we should stop doing in the name of love. The common practice of comparing ourselves to others is a big one! Its an easy thing to do…and unfortunately not good for anyone! So ask yourself:
How do I avoid the comparison trap?
Its all around us…from blogs to social media to everyday life activities. These popular social sharing activities meant to connect us with the world …in a way can be unhealthy to our personal well being if we aren’t careful. Unhealthy in the fact that when looking at all of the positive perfection, where life may seem to always be greener on the other side…we can sometimes be plagued with feelings of inadequacy. These feelings can often times be discouraging and are not good for our personal well-being. Its natural human nature to look at our own life and feel inadequate if we aren’t somehow doing the same things as the apparent wonder woman type person we happen to be admiring. So if for some reason we are not quite feeling our best, may we are not having a good day…the comparison tendancy can easily take over if we arent careful…sooner than later it can really bring you down. We like positive, inspiring and uplifting for sure…but its important to remember life is not always going to be perfect especially when we happen to be peeking into another person’s life. The reality is they have challenges and struggles just like we do…we just aren’t seeing that side of it.
So how do we NOT allow ourselves to fall into this trap? I came up with just a few simple ideas I try to do to help maintain my personal well-being.
1. Remember rome was not built in a day…and the person you are admiring did not become who they are in a day…we are all constantly evolving. Often times we see a success and think , “if only that were me!…without realizing there was a process and hard work involved in that person achieving their success. We are all at different stages in a life and learning, I don’t know about you but sometimes for me it feels I have to learn something over and over again till I finally get it. It’s important to remember to be kind and patient with yourself…, ” You really are doing better than you think you are!”
2. Create a gratitude Journal...when we are expressing sincere appreciation daily for the many things that we do have…there isn’t time to be get discouraged or compare ourselves or think we are inadequate. This automatically turns a negative into a positive. This is an exercise I have even started doing with my children. The result in one week has been astounding. Our daily routine somehow has become more positive as we focus on the positive by simply changing our outlook through gratitude.
3. Fill another bucket; Give someone a compliment…by filling other peoples buckets we somehow magically fill our own. Funny how that works but it is so true! Its easy to want or feel like we need validation…but when we turn our focus outward then our own problems seems to fade away and life just got a little rosier! So give someone a compliment, a like, or a pin. Share the love!
From our new series A Peek at Motherhood the inspiring…Elizabeth Kartchner shared with us some great advice about not comparing ourselves to others…her favorite quote ” Find you, Be you, Be happy with that!” is perfect. She said at times she found herself trying to fit into another mold or be like someone else. But instead she tries to focus on her natural gifts and talents. Thank you Liz that is such great advice!
It can all be summed up in a favorite Cat in the Hat poem…
there is nothing better than just being yourself, being YOU is the best thing you could ever be!
I show my best work! If people don’t like my work, they don’t have to look at it!! I have pride in myself and I am not afraid to give a lot of credit to those in my photographs. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have a photograph!!
I feel the same way
Good advice. it’s so easy to get wrapped up in what others do, making you feel somehow inadequate … Take time to realize the great things you do!
Amen! I agree 100%. Thanks for the advice too.
Thank so much for your support! xx
I try to concentrate only on the things I can control and to do my best. It’s difficult in my line of work because we are constantly being compared to each other. As a working mom it’s very difficult not to compare myself to other moms. I figure my husbands and my relationship with our son is the most important thing.
Right on! Keep up the great work! xx
so many times i had the feeling of being compared with others but i think we have to balance compare to each other negatively or positively. negatively can cause you feeling bad and positively can help to improve new standards.
It is definitely a major challenge not comparing. I too find myself doing it all truth. I tend to read things such as this to keep me in a some what balanced place or talk with other mothers on social media. It is a refreshing thing knowing that I am not the only one waiting for my little ones to clean their rooms or like Lizzy who said that she doesn’t do it all. There is that laundry calling, dishes piling sometimes. LOL! It is sites like Mom’s Best that help us moms stay at our best and I am so glad that I found you!
Love your bags!!!!!!
I struggle with being unique in my area all the time. Thank you for the reminder that I am simply ME! 🙂
Love these cute outfits! Such as stylish family! My family would love this mini makeover! Pick me!
I find it helpful to see that other moms may have daily issues but it’s okay and I’m not the only one.
I Love The Stylish Cheeky Lime Bags!
I find that giving at least one compliment a day will help lift someone else and in turn makes me feel better. And you have to love yourself to love others
What a cute photo shoot! Amazing outfits & bags! What a fun giveaway! Anyone would be so lucky to win!
Agreed! And I love the Dr. Suess quote!
Things in life are not always great and fun or exciting. Things may seem to be better “on the other side” but what I think we seem to forget ALOT of the time is that usually, everything has flaws. There is always something and we don’t really know the entire story. So we should learn to be happy with ourlves and worry less about what might be. Embrace the things that are important in life like our children and families. Most importantly to be happy with ourselves.
Thanks for the great post! I especially love the quote – “Find You, Be You, Be happy with that.” We all need to remember this.