Simplifying!

Lately I have been dealing with comparing myself and what I have to others.

It's not been pretty.

I think it is safe to say that I have fallen into discontent.

It's crazy, right? I have an awesome life. I have an amazing, hard-working husband, a sweet adorable little son, a beautiful house and the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. So what on earth am I jealous of other people for??

Gosh. Where do I even begin? I feel like every day I am inundated with images on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and the blogosphere of beautiful women with seemingly perfect lives. At least that is how they appear to me. In every perfectly framed picture, with every perfectly styled tress, with perfectly applied flawless makeup, they appear happy. Without a care. They wear trendy outfits with no spit-up-stains. None. What's that like?! I can't even remember.

Now the rational Erin....I know that everyone is fighting some sort of a battle. But these pictures make it appear as though they are not. I also know that we choose to put what we want online. I am choosing to be a little vulnerable and post my thoughts on this subject. I do not begrudge these women for posting what they do.

However.

I look at them with their no-budget wardrobes, and I think - What would that be like? She spent HOW MUCH on those boots? That's the sum of my clothes budget for the year.

Then I look in the mirror and take in what I am wearing. Mike's cut-off sweats, a tank top, hair pulled haphazardly into a messy bun, Grayson's spit-up and drool EVERYWHERE. Seriously. In my hair. Toss on one of Mike's old Army sweatshirt and my tennis shoes, and I will consider myself fully dressed and ready to go to Walmart. ;)

I see the pictures of them with their husbands on vacation and I think - Um, I can't even remember the last time Mike and I went on a real vacation. Then I get grumpy that Mike and I don't take vacations.

And on and on it goes. It's this constant comparison that is driving me crazy.

I now fully understand the saying "Comparison is the thief of joy" because I have been living it.

So some changes need to be made. I need to switch up my focus. I'm not as addicted to Pinterest, and I don't spend a lot of time on there. But Facebook? Instagram? My blogs? Well that's another story.

As a result I deleted the Facebook and Instagram apps off my phone. I am on my phone way too much. Even when I am feeding Grayson, I'll be looking through pictures of other people - when I have the cutest baby in the world in my arms. Why is he not getting my full attention?

I will only catch up on people's blogs once a week. My goal this year was to live intentionally, and I've been really working on that. Now it's time I re-focus on my cute little family and making our house a home.

Do you struggle with this too? Then join me in my challenge to cut back and simplify.

Let's count our blessings more and stop wishing we had what others have.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- 

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Phil 4:8