Feeling the Pressure to Be Enough

Because I’m practicing, I need constant reminders.  They help center me and chase away old patterns of thought; patterns that I am ready to be done with.  They remind me that my imperfections are a part of how my children are learning and growing and that the messy work we are doing is good.

If you follow Build Family Connection on Facebook you’ve seen “Mondays with Michelle.”  These are some of my reminders.  But let me tell you, when we started this idea, the thoughts that flooded my mind were, “Who quotes themselves?  Your friends are going to think you are so stupid.  People are going to think you are so full of yourself.  You can’t do that.  Who do you think you are?  How embarrassing!”

Well, so what!  I have spent way too much of my life trying to make other people happy and worrying about what people think.  It is stifling and keeps me waiting for just the right moment to follow my dreams.  Worse yet, it throws me into the hustle of proving my worth, breeds comparison and jealousy, and promotes criticism.  Ugh–the sideline critic!  Unfortunately, this all filters down to my children.  Double ugh!

Fortunately, I get to create new patterns and I’m claiming space in the world for my voice of truth; one that finds value and strength in vulnerability and imperfection.  That’s what Mondays with Michelle are all about.  It’s part of a healing process; these consistent reminders to center and find joy.  Sometimes it’s a small challenge to let go of control and live in the moment.

Whatever shows up on a Monday, it’s a journey and I’m inviting you along.  I’m hoping like mad, that someone else can relate and find strength, but also trusting that my voice has value even if it’s just for me.  And that is something I feel good about passing on to my children.

What keeps you strong and centered?  What is your truth?  I’d love to hear.