This is a hard lesson for me to believe. I know what the Word says. I know what my husband, family & friends tell me is true. Yet somehow I am still my own worst critic. I judge myself harshly & give myself expectations that are just unrealistic at times. I have always been this way. As a child if I did something wrong I would tell on myself and then offer up the worst possible punishment. Instead of grounding myself for a weekend, I would tell my parents I needed to be grounded for 2 weeks. I know. I’m a nut.
(let me just say this was in my late elementary years NOT high school years)
In high school I would always compare myself to my friends and peers. I wanted to look, act and BE like them. They were pretty, skinny & seemed to just know what they wanted in life. If you knew me back then you probably wouldn’t think that I felt this way. I came across as confident, outgoing & determined. And I was, to an extent, but I still had the self-doubt and critical nature deep down.
In college I did well with my grades but not as well as my peers. I would have to literally read a chapter 3 times for it to finally make sense for me. (comprehending what I read takes a LOT of concentration for me) It was a challenge but I did succeed. I graduated and got my degree but landed myself without a teaching job the year after I graduated with a 3.2GPA which was WAY above my high school GPA which was a whopping 2.6. I watched as all my friends got jobs and there I was moving back in with my parents, getting a job at a local gym and doubting my abilities to ever become a teacher.
When I became a wife & mother it got worse. Always questioning what I should be doing – how I can be a better wife and Mother. If I am doing everything I can for them, wondering if I made the right decisions, yelling at myself in my head after I lost my tempter with my husband or kids. Not to mention all the stuff that floats in my head regarding blogging and my new design business. It’s just a never ending battle, one that I work hard to keep at bay and not dwell on. One that will forever be present in my life but I’m learning to subdue – because I know they are not of truth.
Are you your own worst critic?
Oh gosh, Michelle. You didn’t know it but you were writing this post about me too. Completely, totally, 100%!
Kelly H recently posted..One of those days…
What a great quote!
You are wonderful! And a great mom!!
Tara recently posted..Newborn session
How fitting your post is to this short little video clip I just watched last night and shared with my kids as well. The lies we tell ourselves, listen to, and believe are not of God. And the lies produce fear which holds us back from our absolute perfect potential we were created to live in. Watch this 2 min video on fear and lies. And great post Michele. Keep listening to that soft, sweet voice that tells you that you are Awesome and Loved!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZL2tAWcGj8&feature=youtu.be
Sharon
Shay Designs
Sharon Bruyere recently posted..Hand Stamped Scalloped Initial Necklace
yup, yup yup! I totally know how you feel! Thanks for this nugget of TRUTH!
-Jade
Jade recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
Always, always, always! I have to remind myself of the things I’ve accomplished and how much potential I haven’t even tapped into yet. But it’s hard to do when I feel stuck. My friends are finishing graduate school this year, and I haven’t even applied yet. I’m so behind! And I don’t have a baby yet. And I don’t know where my husband and I are going to settle down. But I guess that’s just part of the fun. Figure it out as we go along. Find happiness in what I have instead of pining for what others have.
Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire recently posted..The Power of Kindness
You are so not alone…I do the exact same thing!! The thing I hate the most is when people say “let it go” and it’s so easier said than done
Rachel @ My Happily Ever After recently posted..Snack Attack! S’mores Sticks
For me, being the woman is easy (I think). EMBRACING it is the hard part.
Ronni recently posted..Keeping In Touch
I agreed with Ronni. Thank You!
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