I hate reading other blogs. Well, I mean, I love reading other blogs but I always end up hating it. Do you get what I mean?
I have learned so much from reading blogs. I can't begin to tell you all the inspiration, ideas and encouragement I've gotten from reading what other women (and sometimes men) have to say.
But, somehow, I always manage to turn it into something ugly. Usually, green and ugly...
Have you ever read a blog and thought 'Oh my gosh. So clean and simple. No GFC, blog roll, sponsors... (...live loved...) It must be so nice to blog just to talk- not worry about stats and numbers and the picket fence.'
Then, I'll see a madly successful Mom Blogger (did you know 2 of a Kind is up to 5000 followers?!?!?!) and I think 'Wow. I could get everything we needed (my family of 4 survives on less then $500 a month) by pitching companies if I had that many followers.'
Then, there's religion envy. Religion envy?!?!?
MoneySavingMom saved up CASH for her HOME. FOR HER HOME!!! What an awesome testimony!! I, an the other hand, write about how I am making the best of my past non-Christian decisions. Now, I understand that God uses my testimony the same way He uses another but... just once I would like to say "I did this right." instead of "This is how I found to deal with the consequences of this mistake."
Homeschooling Moms can be the worst. Well, really they're the best- I'm the worst.
Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler is an animal when it comes to printables. This chick can come up with anything! She made a Math Game called 'Add It' which I LOVE. She ALSO made a left handed version for Knuckles at my request.
So, what do I do? I lose it.
She makes me another.
She. Makes. Her. Own. Curriculum.
My kids are doing Math this year. That's it. Just Math.
Hip Homeschool Moms leads the (in my estimation) biggest homeschooling community on Facebook. I can only remember to post to HGF once a week. If I'm lucky...
Are you a crafty Mama? I am- kinda. Every now and again I come up with something majorly cute. Then I check out Lolly Jane Boutique. She made this:
Yeah, I give up.
Well, wit and humor will be my forte...
Then I find Mama Still Wears Gucci. She writes rings around me- with the PERFECT combo of sarcasm (that people can actually tell is sarcasm) and confidence. She's not for everyone with her language and some of her subject matter but I am, none-the-less, obsessed with Gucci Mama.
What about the women who look ABSOLUTELY AMAZING in their bio pics? Kelly from Faithful Provisions:
Andrea from Simple Organized Living:
I mean, I don't leave my pajamas for days at a time. How do these women find 1) the time to get to a professional photographer 2) afford a professional photographer AND 3) find a professional photographer that doesn't make them look like a donkey with hair? I am sooooo not photogenic... And, let's not even talk about 4) clothes for the photography session.
And DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON COMMENTS!! There are those blogs that always get a million comments- even if it's a post about the color of belly button lint. In the mean time, I can research an article for 4 weeks, write it for another 6 weeks, post it at prime time and still get
"New follower from the hop. Please stop by and check out my blog at..."
(Seriously, people. The next person who does that is going to get "New follower from the hop. Please stop by and check out my blog at..." 50X on EVERY SINGLE POST THEY WRITE for the next week.)
Ad what about the SUPER AWESOME money saving sites (that I frequent) that can write 10-15 posts a day?!?! I'm lucky if I can get 1 a week done...
Obviously, I could go on and on; this could get to be an (even more) tedious post.
Of course I don't hate you. I'm not even really jealous- most of the time. And, I TRULY wish all these women the best. This is life and someone is always better, prettier, skinnier, funnier, smarter... then you (ME!) I guess the difference is that I can go into my home and shut the door on those people. You can't really shut the door on the internet. I mean, I guess I could- but then what would I have to compare myself to?
I guess I just have to pray for a more humble heart and gratitude that He is using me as He sees fit.
Because green is just not a nice color on me.
I have learned so much from reading blogs. I can't begin to tell you all the inspiration, ideas and encouragement I've gotten from reading what other women (and sometimes men) have to say.
But, somehow, I always manage to turn it into something ugly. Usually, green and ugly...
Have you ever read a blog and thought 'Oh my gosh. So clean and simple. No GFC, blog roll, sponsors... (...live loved...) It must be so nice to blog just to talk- not worry about stats and numbers and the picket fence.'
Then, I'll see a madly successful Mom Blogger (did you know 2 of a Kind is up to 5000 followers?!?!?!) and I think 'Wow. I could get everything we needed (my family of 4 survives on less then $500 a month) by pitching companies if I had that many followers.'
Then, there's religion envy. Religion envy?!?!?
MoneySavingMom saved up CASH for her HOME. FOR HER HOME!!! What an awesome testimony!! I, an the other hand, write about how I am making the best of my past non-Christian decisions. Now, I understand that God uses my testimony the same way He uses another but... just once I would like to say "I did this right." instead of "This is how I found to deal with the consequences of this mistake."
Homeschooling Moms can be the worst. Well, really they're the best- I'm the worst.
Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler is an animal when it comes to printables. This chick can come up with anything! She made a Math Game called 'Add It' which I LOVE. She ALSO made a left handed version for Knuckles at my request.
So, what do I do? I lose it.
She makes me another.
She. Makes. Her. Own. Curriculum.
My kids are doing Math this year. That's it. Just Math.
Hip Homeschool Moms leads the (in my estimation) biggest homeschooling community on Facebook. I can only remember to post to HGF once a week. If I'm lucky...
Are you a crafty Mama? I am- kinda. Every now and again I come up with something majorly cute. Then I check out Lolly Jane Boutique. She made this:
Yeah, I give up.
Well, wit and humor will be my forte...
Then I find Mama Still Wears Gucci. She writes rings around me- with the PERFECT combo of sarcasm (that people can actually tell is sarcasm) and confidence. She's not for everyone with her language and some of her subject matter but I am, none-the-less, obsessed with Gucci Mama.
What about the women who look ABSOLUTELY AMAZING in their bio pics? Kelly from Faithful Provisions:
Andrea from Simple Organized Living:
I mean, I don't leave my pajamas for days at a time. How do these women find 1) the time to get to a professional photographer 2) afford a professional photographer AND 3) find a professional photographer that doesn't make them look like a donkey with hair? I am sooooo not photogenic... And, let's not even talk about 4) clothes for the photography session.
And DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON COMMENTS!! There are those blogs that always get a million comments- even if it's a post about the color of belly button lint. In the mean time, I can research an article for 4 weeks, write it for another 6 weeks, post it at prime time and still get
"New follower from the hop. Please stop by and check out my blog at..."
(Seriously, people. The next person who does that is going to get "New follower from the hop. Please stop by and check out my blog at..." 50X on EVERY SINGLE POST THEY WRITE for the next week.)
Ad what about the SUPER AWESOME money saving sites (that I frequent) that can write 10-15 posts a day?!?! I'm lucky if I can get 1 a week done...
Obviously, I could go on and on; this could get to be an (even more) tedious post.
Of course I don't hate you. I'm not even really jealous- most of the time. And, I TRULY wish all these women the best. This is life and someone is always better, prettier, skinnier, funnier, smarter... then you (ME!) I guess the difference is that I can go into my home and shut the door on those people. You can't really shut the door on the internet. I mean, I guess I could- but then what would I have to compare myself to?
I guess I just have to pray for a more humble heart and gratitude that He is using me as He sees fit.
Because green is just not a nice color on me.
Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/coscurro
Posts
31 comments:
I hear you -- it's tough to be like all those amazing people who I read about in their blogs. I'm just so glad that I've got an amazing family to share about and that some days I can accomplish all the things on my to-do list... er.. at least a few of them!
My friend, Jewels, wrote a post once...and this little bit of wisdom caught my eye...I think it may encourage you, as well! ;)
"I hope that each one of you will be entirely free to be yourselves. Just as you are, right where you are, without apology or feeling like you have to live up to anyone's expectations...And know that that's your special, priceless gift to those around you. A gift that noone else can give." ~Jewels http://eyesofwonder.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Remember that blogging isn't a competition. :) Just enjoy being who God made *you* to be! May you find encouragement in this!
Warmly,
Katy :)
Oh man, don't think I could have said it better, lol! Thanks for the laugh and for making me feel a little more normal tonight. :-)
OMG I loved this post! I completely agree with you?! How do these lades do it what's the secret. I admit it I'm a little jealous. I do bloghops all the time and yet I can't get my followers that high up there what do you have to do sit on the computer for hours and follow hundred of people so they follow back? And don't get me started on the comments. I visit all these blogs that always get tons of meaningful relevant comments while my posts get none. Is anybody even reading my blog???! I too hate the stupid "hi I'm following you from the blog hop will you follow me back comments" I never follow back sorry I know I'm awful but I only follow back the ones who actually read my post and leave a nice comment. whew feels great to vent thanks so much for sharing this lol and sorry this was such a long comment ;)
http://myadventures-in-mommyland.blogspot.com
Love it! So glad I jumped on Twitter tonight and saw this. I hate Twitter...and all those who can figure out who to use it correctly...but tonight it worked perfect!
Oh, and I am a new follower! :) Stop by and I am defintely not perfect and I am also often jealous of the others.
Thanks for the great post!!!
But only you could write a blog on other's accomplishments that makes me laugh. It's a been-there-done-that for me. Actually a been-there-done-that-still-do for me. Of course there's always that Galations 6:4 verse: "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that... Don't compare yourself with others." Yikes!
I know what you mean. It's tough. But I try to remember that blogging is supposed to be fun.
I get it! Seriously though I have a goat in my profile picture to help me look prettier :) Not really I just love my goat.
My house is in shambles and I read organizing blogs and sigh (or have a frustration tantrum).
Yet there are those who tell me they are amazed by me... Well I make my husband say those things though :)
But then there are people like me who look at your followers and go whoa she has 2000 plus followers amazing!!!! So your awesome keep it up!
We all seem to be our own worst critic. I look at a lot of my momma friends in amazement; how do they do it all and how they handle situations with their kids so well and they are so much more hands on than me. I feel like I do nothing right or good enough. And then, they will make a comment asking how I do all the "amazing" things that I do....huh, really? I guess that i shouldnt look at my friends with jealousy and envy but be greatful that they r in my life to inspire me to be a better person/mother.
I really loved this blog. Ur always so blunt and unforgiving of who u are and how you feel. I wish I could be more like that.
Yeah, I was feeling sympathetic until I saw what Jacqueline said and checked your stats - 2708 followers! I only wish! Now I hate your blog! :-) Seriously, I totally know where you're coming from. What makes me feel bad is the people who have meal planning down to such a science. Some women even plan out snacks for the month! Then they also blog, clean house, do laundry, have tons of babies, make their own printables, etc. AND, as you pointed out, look great doing it! I don't know how they do it.
HA!!! I love it. I feel like this ALL the time. My blog is but a spec of dust on the blogging radar. Guess I should just be happy anyone shows up at all :) I don't know if I'm more jealous or amazed by mom bloggers that seem to have it all together. I just need to accept that will probably never be me and move on, but man oh man I would LOVE to get pitched great opportunities---sigh---. Thanks for the post...nice to know I'm not alone.
I recently heard that when we compare ourselves to others we compare their outsides with our insides. It's easy to look like you have it all together when people only see what you want them to see.
Be encouraged we all have days in PJs where our kids eat mac and cheese and we forget to brush our hair :)
Funny!
Amen!
I know exactly what you mean, mama. I can relate 100%!
Nail, on the head.
You titled this one perfectly, by the way. I HAD to see why you hate my blog! Although, I'd venture to guess that you wouldn't hate my meager blog all that much :)
wow pretty much everything you said i can totally relate to..i pretty much get by by just having really low standards for myself lol..not sure if that's a healthy thing or not :P
At Relevant last year- the Ann Voskamp reminded us of something very profound...
Jesus only had 12 followers! I keep that tucked in my mind for moments such as these...
I agree with what Allyson said above...
"It's easy to look like you have it all together when people only see what you want them to see."
My blog is where I post my good stuff. The whole reality is that every day is a struggle to get the boys to do their school work, my kids don't obey me like they "should", I don't follow through on my menu plan that I just posted, I don't know how to deal with all of the teen stuff, my dh has to eat out often because dinner doesn't get done before he has to leave for work... I do hint at the hard parts but I'm not about laying it all out there. I don't in person, either. It's just how I do things. I wish I could be transparent, but then I'd feel too vulnerable. And when I feel envious of other people's blog lives, I try to remember that they may be doing the same thing.
OMG! I am right there with ya honey. I feel the exact same way that you do about most of it anyway. Especially the money part, and followers! LOL! Love GUCCI MAMA TOO!! Thanks for this post! Let's me know that I am not alone!
OMG- you stole my blog post!
Been there, done that - LOL
I swear I get reading and then I look up and it's 3 in the morning... OMG I have been reading blogs for hours.... LOL
But I love it that there is many things I can find on blog, heck homemade poptarts! How cool is that
Wow, you said this perfectly. Actually it reminded me of what a bloggy friend said the other day. It's like being back in high school and you are either in the in crowd or just off on the sidelines, like I always was.
Definitely agreeing with you on the comments section.
Right now we have the Hopping Along to Easter Blog Hop going on through Easter and I don't think people take the time to read it to realize it is not just a link up your blog linky, but you are supposed to respond to the topic. Oh, well, I thought it was a good idea.
Loved this post. So glad you really don't hate my blog.
Blessings
I know exactly how you feel! I love and admire all these mom bloggers but always have questions like "How come I've been blogging for two years and have not even 1/4 the followers that this bloggers has and she's only been at it for half a year?!" And the ones who can post several times a week, or EVERY day? Yeah, I don't get it. If I did that there would be no dinner on the table. Maybe I'm just slow. But I love reading yours and your honesty! :)
http://eco-babyz.com
I get it. I feel the same way. I usually try to look at their blogs and see if what they are doing that I am not to try and improve. Trust me though...You are one of those people that I stalk and say "I wish I could be that good" So chin up your not alone. I hate you too...LOL
Shew! I thought I was the only one feeling like a hamster on a wheel :) Thank you for posting it made me feel like I belong in this world of super mom blogs.
Thank you for the wonderful post. I smiled the whole way through it and it made my day. If it makes you feel any better, you'd be on my "I hate you--not really list." I wish I had more time to do all the great things you do too. In case I don't say it enough, I like you and your blog as is.
Thanks for visiting Mommy D's Kitchen and linking up on the blog hop this week. I admit it, I do the same thing. Sometimes I avoid certain blogs just because I don't feel like comparing my blog to theirs LOL
Thanks for the good laughs and sharing your thoughts! :)
Amy
http://utry.it
WOW, I think you put my thoughts in your type. Couldn't of said it better myself.
Well done and nice to meet you,
Jackie
we love you anyways :D
no one is perfect, and I envy you as much as you say you envy your list of "perfect" mummas (NO ONE IS PERFECT)
i have 5 kids, am mostly at home with them 7days a week, I TRY to run my lil tush op, try not to wear pjs all day(bwahahahahah, im in pjs as i type this and it is 130pm), I tried to cloth diaper my youngest 2 kids, I also try to keep up with weeding my garden, and making sure the fruits dont fall and rot, we TRY to keep the house clean and I try to be the bestest I can, cause simply, its the bestest I can be only cause I TRY!! (sometimes i would rather just sleep, but trying is better than nothing)
I smile everyday, I get tons of rest(for a mom of 5 anyways, 4hrs is tons, right?), I leave some messes for the next day, but most of all, my kids are happy, healthy and smart. Your kids look fantabulous from your pics, so dont ever worry about adding up to others, as long as you are happy, who cares!!!!
I too get comments on random easy posts rather than the ones I spent forever on!
Maybe I should write a post about belly button lint :)
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