Here it is folks... my dirty little secret.

My life does NOT look like a blog. Far from it! And yet, irony, because here I am, writing a blog.

As an example, most weeks, I try do meal planning on Saturday, with grocery shopping on Sunday, and most weeks, some meal prep on Sunday afternoon/evening. It's what those other blogs tell us we should be doing, right? Right.

But, if you're anything like me, you work 5+ days a week, 8-10 hours/day, have at least one child you're raising. So, your weekdays are full and weeknights are jam packed with extracurricular activities, homework, bedtime routines, and more.

So, when the weekend rolls around, we have plenty of time for finding the perfect recipes to fit into our perfect meal plans. Loads of time to wander through the grocery store finding the best deals (which means often going to multiple grocery stores). Hours upon hours of mies en place, cooking and baking to make sure we're set for the week ahead. And of course, there's plenty of time for date night, right?

Let's look again. Our weekends actually include schleping to and from a multitude of activities, birthday parties, and family obligations (grandparents want to see the grandkids, right?). So, how do we live the lives we see portrayed to us on these beautiful blogs? Well, in reality, we don't. And we shouldn't even try.

Those beautiful images we see are only part of the story.

How many times did that writer have to make the granola recipe to make it turn out the way not only she, but others in the house would like it? How many times did she have to take and re-take the photos so the raisins glistened just so? What isn't seen outside the frame of the photograph? Are the dishes are piled up? Ingredients not put away? A spill is being licked up by the dog? Possibly. Generally that's what you will see when I'm making one of those recipes at my house.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the writers of these blogs aren't lovely people living lovely lives. I'm sure they are. In no way do I want you to think that I'm saying they are doing anything wrong or have any negative feelings about them or their blogs. I do not.

In fact, I LOVE reading them. I LOVE being inspired by them. What they share with the world is wonderful and amazing and I'm thrilled they are doing the work they are doing.

I will always love following my favorite bloggers, and spend time attempting (and occasionally succeeding at) making their dishes, following their examples, doing their diy makeovers. Just today I attempted Cookie & Kate's Very Best Granola recipe. Mine just looked a little different.

After years of trying to figure out why I was feeling so badly while I was trying to live so well, I realized, I have the power to not feel that way anymore. I no longer live by the ideal that because I see something looking a certain way online does it mean that I have to mimic it to make my life meaningful. Because, I don't. And, neither do you.

When we start to measure ourselves, our lives, by what we see online - be in a blog, on Facebook or Instagram - we are doing ourselves a huge disservice. Often what happens is we feel as though we don't measure up, so we try harder. Or, we give up all together and spend time belittling ourselves. To what end? Does this make us feel better?

Each of us has our own lives to live. Just because I love Cookie & Kate's recipes, and I will often attempt to replicate them, does not mean I am trying to live their lives. I am authentically living my life, stepping into my power, and thoroughly enjoying the mistakes, the messes, the joys and the silliness that encapsulate my very unique experience.

So, the next time you are reading one of your favorite blogs, or a post on social media and are feeling a bit down about your life, take a moment to take stock of what is good and makes you who you are. I bet you will be surprised by the answers that show up.

And, by the way, even though it's true and we do eat with our eyes first, regardless of how something looks, it can still be delicious and enjoyed - just like you and your life.

Until next time… be good to yourself. There’s only one of you.

My dirty little secret

The reality of burnout

Listening to your inner knowledge