I will never forget planning for my first baby girl’s birthday party. I am very creative and waited for what seemed like forever for this moment. I created a Pinterest board full of amazing ideas. But the closer I got to her birthday, the more this working-full-time-pregnant-with-our-second-child-mama realized – I was never gonna have a Pinterest inspired-birthday party. And it made me sad and even a bit angry. Why are all these people posting these beautiful yet unrealistic photos?
I started realizing it wasn’t just on Pinterest. Facebook was full of pictures of all these amazing moms with beautifully-groomed children. And don’t get me started on Instagram. The filters they provide right at your fingertips can make the most mundane items look glamorous!
It also quickly became apparent that I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Soon there were memes everywhere about being fake. The “nobody cares what you have to say, Karen” comments. This was good in a way because it allowed everyone to be real. To share their problems, to ask for help, to show the messy and the not-so-glamorous. And we all came together in a stand of solidarity.
But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the ability to be proud of ourselves. To brag a little.
It honestly makes me sad when I see a mom, whose baby has really worked hard on a milestone and she wants to share the news with her family and friends but feels the need to say, “I’m sorry but I need to share”. It makes me sad when someone has worked really hard to clean and decorate a space in her home and would love to share the progress, but feels the need to say, “The rest of my house is a mess but I accomplished a little something today.”
Why? Why do we have a disclaimer for what we’ve worked hard towards? What our children or our partners in life have worked hard for?
I say go ahead and brag! Share with the world that your daughter is on the honor roll! That your son scored the most points at his game! That your husband cooked an amazing meal! That your new baby rolled over! That you made the most beautiful-looking cookies! Share! Be proud!
I would add to be kind and considerate of others. Share in a way that you would enjoy reading if it was someone else’s posts. Be real. No filters, nothing made up. Just be proud. Share your joy.
Go ahead and brag in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear what’s bringing you joy!
