With the sunshine far above the clouds and the cold weather making it so much more tempting to curl up inside, I'm left feeling a little blah lately. Not necessarily down and not necessarily up. The normal ebbs and flows of life and motherhood I guess but nonetheless, I just haven't felt my usual energetic self lately. I still work out four times a week and do an amazing restorative yoga practice but my energy levels feel zapped. I am getting better and better at calming my mind but I still feel blah. I think it's a combination of holiday anticipation, cold weather, lack of sunshine, nursing hormones, being back at work, chasing after a busy lil boy and just feeling run down. But I accept it for what it is knowing that this too shall pass. Heck it better pass... it's my birthday in nine days!
This post isn't meant to get pity, or sympathy, because really I'm happy and doing fine. I just feel like there are so many artificial representations of people's lives through social media that it's nice to feel normal sometimes. Life isn't always #perfect and #blissful and sometimes it's okay to just feel blah. It's refreshing to see women presenting themselves in a more genuine light sometimes. I personally deleted Instagram last year after coming to the realization that never once did I leave Instagram feeling empowered, fulfilled or inspired. Instead I felt deflated, envious or bummed out. What was I getting out of sifting through strangers pictures anyways!? And what did I personally gain by posting a picture of my prosciutto and brie sandwich? I don't need the comparison to stark white houses, perfect wardrobes, flawless skin, tropical vacations, date nights that are better suited for the Bachelorette and supermoms that leave other moms feeling like they are falling short. I'm not saying that any of these things are bad -- in fact they are great. But where are the other pictures? The messy floors, the sweat pants and undershirts on laundry day, hormonal breakouts, the only tropical thing being the pineapple you picked up at the grocery store, the date night that consisted of going to the grocery store in your sweat pants and the night that you happily fed your husband and your baby Cheerios instead of homemade organic risotto for supper.
Life takes balance. Don't be fooled by the people who seem to have it all and do it all, because trust me -- nobody's life is perfect. Some people exhaust themselves trying to be everything and do every thing and spend all of their time and energy trying to create this picture perfect life, but never actually allow themselves the time to live in it. Having goals and dreams is necessary but being content with what you have and who you are is even more empowering. It's exhausting to always be striving, waiting for the next thing to feel fulfilled and happy. Losing more weight, exercising more,wanting more money, more recognition whatever it may be. If you aren't happy with what you already have than why would you be any happier when you get what you don't have?
Jealousy comes from counting someone else's blessings instead of your own. So don't let yourself be consumed with what other's have or feel like you aren't measuring up. Allow yourself the space to be content and happy. Enjoy the great days, but also embrace the not so great days. Be present in each moment and know that without the downs we wouldn't appreciate the ups. Be happy in your skin and #kiss #comparison #goodbye. See I already feel better!
When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, "Oh yes -- I already have everything that I really need." ~ Dalai Lama