Well, I have something to admit,
and it's not that easy for me to on such a public domain! But I really wanted to bring this little thing up, because I know that I can not be the only one out there that feels this way at times, and I like to keep things out in the open as much as possible here on the 'ole blog.
Are you curious? Well, here goes....."I have been having myself a little 'ole blogging pity party the last few weeks!" Yup, a good 'ole fashioned I'm-just-not-as-good-as-so-many-other-fabulous-bloggers-out-there pity party!
I have been comparing myself to so many of the other great and creative blogs out there and I'm sick of it!
And it's nobodies fault but myself!!
These are the some of the thoughts that have been circling around in my head.....
" so and so has a job, kids AND look what she is accomplishing! How can I not find the time to clean my apartment, let alone finish one of the bazillion things on my to do list?! I must not be as talented, as creative, as together as her! "
Isn't that just such a terrible thing to think about ones self!
I can tell you one thing it certainly doesn't inspire creativity! Do you know what I'm talking about?
Look at one of the smartest men of all times said!
Now, no one has been judging me, at least not to my face on the blog, so why am I being so hard on myself? Why is it so hard for me to see what I've accomplished in the last several months?
Do you all get this way? How to you deal with it?
Well, here's the thing, " I'm sick of it!" Yup! Totally tired of comparing myself to others! I am just me! I can only do what I can do!
I love this blogging thing and have discovered so many great, wonderful, encouraging people out there that I never would have otherwise met! Ninety-nine percent of the time I get soooo much encouragement from all of it, I get so much passion to start something, to make something, to change something, to create something! I love that about blogging! I need to focus on that, and from now on I will!
So here's a little challenge for myself.......
I think every single blogger has been in your shoes. I wear them weekly LOL You're amazing, and there's no need to compare yourself to anyone my dear.
ReplyDeleteAHHHH ASHLEY, did you read my post today, OMG,,, the same thing I wrote about, only without all the fabulous quotes you shared. I especially love good ol EINSTEIN, how can he be any more RIGHT, that was awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou my dear, I know EXACTLY how you feel. No idea where it came from either, like seriously NOTHING bad happened in fact my blog is doing GREAT,,, so what gives. I started today with a SMILE on my face, and while my TO-DO list is longer than ever, and my house is a disaster, and I have ten million loads of laundry to do, and I am still in my pjs, he he. I feel relieved, that that weight I had on my shoulders is gone. I can go back to being myself, and I am not worried about that stuff anymore. I got it out there, and as usual I have the MOST amazing bloggy friends, as DO YOU, and together we pull each other up, and encourage one another.
Thats what I LOVE most about blogging. :)
So chin up mama, you know you ROCK, and I love ya!
p.s. Heres my post!!
**A story of being SAD** @ Bella Before and After
Hugs, Bella :)
**PARTY PLANNING TUESDAYS** @ Euro Style Cakes. All your party planning tips, decorations, invitations, and recipes welcome at my NEW party.
This is more than just competition. It is an inner insecurity. You have to learn to love yourself and accept yourself just as much as your loved ones love and accept you. I wasn't able to truly do this until my husband accepted me completely the way that I am. Before I use to be insecure all over the place in so many different ways even with simple things such as "I can't pull that off only certain girls can do that." That is in regards to just clothes or hair style. Now I've finally learn to listen to my own little voice and be me.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, you're not the first person to feel this way and you won't be the last. I have a friend who's a wonderful photographer, but she has gotten stumped a lot by comparing herself to other photographers. She's always done this her whole life ever since I've known her in any area. Anywho, with her just as yourself people love your work and that is why they follow you. You're never going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it is still beautiful.
Oh and btw--no one can do EVERYTHING. Anyone who tries to do everything always ends up half a$$ing other areas of their life. So pick yourself up and do what you love to do :)
I knew that type of thinking was a possibility going in and have tried to not let that get to me. But I get bummed out when I have a weeks worth of posts with no comments, few followers and things like that. I do feel some unknown pressure to put up original posts too. And I know it's just me pressuring.
ReplyDeleteKeep your head up I love your blog and am still jealous of your bamboo chairs and diy table!
You ladies are amazing!!! Thanks for such encouraging thoughts! Grrr, you have me almost in tears! haha you have to stop! I'm at work today and don't need mascara running down my face! Thanks so much ladies!!
ReplyDeleteAshley, my dear,
ReplyDeleteYou ARE amazing! ;) I wouldn't have asked you to write for my blog if I didn't already know that! I have my moments when I look at how many followers I have and compare it to how many other blogs that are smaller and less put together than mine, but it's one of those things every creative artist/designer goest through! Just think of Vincent Van Gough! He chopped his ear off and sent it to his lady because he was so distraught that she didn't love him anymore. We all go through those ear chopping phases cause we think we aren't good enough. But, before you go and chop off the ear, just know that you do have people who look up to you and admire you BECAUSE you aren't that perfect mom and crafter and does everything woman. You're real and you're YOU. :) I'd take that over perfection any day.
Much Love,
Trissta
I definitely understand your frustration. When I am out in blogland I try to be as objective as possible and just humble myself and appreciate what I have been blessed with. No my blog may not be as fabulous as such and such but I am passionate about it and at The Scott's Crib I try to encourage that same mentality. Even if my diy project may be a major fail I can atleast end the day saying I gave it my all. However, I must say that I absolutely love your blog and I have even featured one of your projects on my project link love. I think everyone goes through this phase initially but I am so glad to hear that you are fed up with it and moving on. Keep doing the great things that you are doing. You'll always have a supporting fan over at the crib:)
ReplyDeleteAshley, thank you for sharing something that does cross the minds of everyone brave enough to follow their passion. I just posted this morning on not giving in to the shame of rejection.
ReplyDeleteIt takes courage to do what you are doing - and I for one happen to LOVE what you do.
xoxo michele
I love coming to your blog for creating things, so please don't change and try to be like any other blog!
ReplyDeleteVi K E Y: unlock your world.
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteOh man I have been there and had a hard time this summer, but you are not alone! Keep going, I think we all do this for our own personal reasons and growth and when it becomes just another job, well..forget that! ha ha
I wrote a post about how Blogging somtimes feels like high school...you can read it HERE if you want cause it expresses similar sentiments!
Keep going you!
Hey Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I love seeing all your projects and ideas, they are great! Those same thoughts you have sometimes, I have ALL the time and it's why I haven't actually started my own blog myself! So I totally understand where you are coming from! So keep up the good work! It really is great!
Chelsea
Try to not compare yourself to anyone else - you're unique & talented just the way you are.
ReplyDelete(and I love your blog!!)
hugs!! ellie s
Bless your heart, Girl. I'm getting ready to go to bed but had to check out a few more of your pins ;) and just clicked over to your blog and found THIS! You have no idea how badly I needed to 'hear' this right now. I've been wondering - day after day - what I'm doing wrong! I think my blog's okay, but few comments, few followers and I just get so dang discouraged!
ReplyDeleteBut after reading you're kick-in-the-bootay, Who cares? I love my little ol' painting blog. I like my simple little painting tutorials. So who cares?
And with that, my dear Pinterest Friend, I'm gonna have sweet dreams tonite . . . thank you! mwah!
We've all been there. Believe me, there are bloggers out there who are comparing themselves to you because of all the fabulous DIY projects you've accomplished as a young, single, working woman.
ReplyDeleteI used to feel like I had to be super woman when my first child was born and I decided to quit my job. Without a job I thought I had to make every meal from scratch and have an immaculate, perfectly decorated home. When I gave myself permission not to be perfect I found a lot of peace.
I just came across your blog and I think you're doing great! I just started and I DEFINITELY know the feeling of not being able to do what other people do. It's not that you're not good enough, they've just have TONS and TONS of practice.
ReplyDeleteComparing yourself to others just makes you miserable, instead think of your accomplishments and work from there.
I love your site and I'm planning on using a few things in my own home decor. Thanks for sharing!