I feel overwhelmed some days.
It’s the kind of overwhelmed that has me looking around the room wondering where to even start. It’s the kind of overwhelmed that makes the tears sting my eyes because it seems as though the harder I try the further behind I get.
That kind of overwhelmed.
Sometimes I struggle with this. Like I simply can’t do enough…can’t be enough.
Some days it seems impossible to be a good mom, a good wife, a good employee, a good cook, a good homemaker, a good friend, a good writer, and a “good” person all at the same time…oh, and all while remembering “self-care.”
I can keep a couple of these balls in the air with no problem and even add a third with relative ease. But try to get that fourth and fifth included in the mix, and inevitably something comes toppling down.
As I’ve sat here, overwhelmed and frustrated, it’s occurred to me that perhaps my problem is not that I’m not good at all of these things. Perhaps, the problem is I’m not “good enough” for my perfection-seeking self. And though I try not to chase it because I’ve realized the futility and absurdity of it, striving for perfection is something I continually have to guard my heart against.
You see I am a good mom and a good wife. I’m just not a perfect one.
I am a good (ok decent) cook and good homemaker. I’m just not a perfect one.
I am a good employee, friend, writer, and person. I’m just not a perfect one.
And within this feeling of “less than” is where so many of my frustrations lie.
I want my floors to shine, my closets organized, and my laundry baskets empty. I want to help my kids bake cookies in the kitchen, paint masterpieces for the refrigerator, and have meaningful conversations with my husband. I want a homemade dinner with my family in the evenings, and time for lunch with my friends during the week.
In essence…I want perfect.
Often, in these moments of frustration and feelings of less-than, I don’t realize this is what I’m chasing because it happens innocently enough. I see a family who manages a from-scratch, home cooked meal six out of seven nights, complete with veggies from their garden, and I think to myself…I should be able to do that.
I see friends who manage to have date-night with their husbands once every other week, and I find myself thinking that we should be able to pull that off.
I walk in homes where everything is pristine and looks like a magazine, and I think to myself…if I just try a little harder, my home can look this nice.
Though I know better than to compare myself with others, I “perceive” perfection in other families and falsely convince myself that if I work hard enough, I can be “good enough.”
I can’t. And in all honesty, none of us can. Perception is not reality. And the reality is, we all struggle because the truth is simple. None of us are perfect. And thankfully we don’t have to be.
You see friends, what I often forget is that we’ve not been called to be perfect; we’ve been called to love. To love God. To love our families. To love our neighbors.
And you know what? Love is messy, as is life. But it’s also beautiful.
And if we aren’t very careful, we will spend our lives chasing after some ideal that we’ll never fully realize, and miss out on a beautiful life full of so much love, right here in front of our eyes.
A wonderful reminder to anyone at any age. Maybe we could start a perfectionist support group to call during these times of total self worthlessness. When I look at that picture, I see a marvelous multitasker, a mother that values her family first. The helpline, call a friend is a must! I promise so many of us have the same picture sweet girl! Love you guys❤️
Blessings,
Deb
Love and appreciate your sweet comment so much Deb. I think a “perfectionist support group” could be very beneficial! 🙂
Agree with Deb. A great reminder to anyone at any age.
Jama, thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment!
Hi, Love the revelation you made. Love your self-awareness. Your kids won’t remember how clean the house was, how often you baked with them, or whether the meals were bought or made from scratch. I’m a preschool speech therapist with a toddler and preschooler we adopted. What I’ve noticed is that MY heart and the kids’ hearts seem most joyful when I let go of control and the inner nagging of what “should be” and just enjoy them.. be…live in that moment.. kids can sense when you’re really “with” them, emotionally and mentally, and they DELIGHT in it. As adults, they will remember the quality of these moments with you.. That is more important than anything in the world you can give them. You alone make them most happy..