The other day I was worked up about my day full of cleaning that felt endless. The constant dishes in the sink, laundry in the basket, and my ever-aching back. Will I get a second to myself today? Charlie had a meltdown in our music class and has been a little more clingy lately. I’ve been exhausted and down on myself, feeling like I’m never on top or where I want to be. And then a fellow blogger friend posted that she lost her brand new baby and it stopped me in my tracks.

Life is precious. And in the blink of an eye, anything can happen.

I immediately grabbed Charlie and held him close. And studied his little face and big blue eyes. My little love. Our greatest blessing. Life is really good and I need to remember that.

I don’t know about you, but I spend way too much time worrying about stupid shit. Will I look okay in my bikini this summer? Is there anything I can do about these wrinkles? Am I too much or too weird? I worry about things like INSTAGRAM and feeling like I’m not interesting enough, stylish enough, pretty enough, cool enough- the list goes on to be ‘liked’. There, I said it out loud. But I know I’m not alone. Why is it so easy to focus on the things that aren’t going well in our lives instead of all the things that are? It’s the perfect recipe for discontent.

There are always going to people out there writing more interesting content, taking prettier pictures, looking better in their clothing, and doing cooler things. Social media is supposed to be a tool for us to get creative and connect with each other: inspire; not distract us from reality or make us feed bad.  Yet I am one of many who  succumb to the comparison game: the ultimate thief of joy. But I don’t need to be THE best, I need to be MY best.

I recite this prayer when I find myself stressing out too much, especially about things with which I have little control:

“God Grant Me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference”

This always helps me take a deep breath. And slow down. The wisdom to know the difference.

If you’ve been a reader for a while, you know I write a series on happiness. I love acknowledging all the things, big or small, that make an impact on my life. I believe gratitude is the first step in finding light in the darkest of moments. I also believe in positive talk. Telling ourselves what we can do instead of what we can’t. Celebrating our victories: YAY! A blog post I’m proud of! And focusing on what we DID accomplish instead of DIDN’T. I know this is easier said than done but it’s a start.

I think sometimes we all need a refresher and a reminder that none of us is perfect. No one expects any of us to be perfect. I think we need to remember to enjoy ourselves and stop worrying about what other people think. We need to focus on what really matters: the people we love and surround ourselves with, practicing gratitude, loving and forgiving ourselves, and making the most of what we have.

So sing out loud in your car. Even if you’re at a stoplight and someone sees you. Check in with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Send a card to someone you care about. Get off social media and out of the house. Count to ten and take a deep breath before you freak out that your husband left his clothes on the floor or your child made a mess of your living room. Stop worrying about your bikini bod or those last few pounds. Look at yourself in the mirror. Really look. And tell yourself that you are enough. Give yourself a bit of grace and give yourself a break.

Life is precious! Let’s make the most of it.

Austin Blogger celebrating life focusing on what really matters happiness this social media world we live in you are enough