2018 Here We Go
“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30
2018! Here we go. You may feel like me and look at everyone else thinking how do they have it all together? Maybe you are one of those who already has it together. Maybe you are watching all of us on this hamster wheel of life and just giggling at our expense. No matter where you are on the journey I hope you are moving forward. That is my goal.
I am absolutely one of those people that get swept away in life. I honestly feel like life happens to me instead of me dictating what I want my life to look like. I mean who doesn’t get a little overwhelmed with all the expectations we are given.
Eat clean, eat vegetarian, eat only lean meats, eat vegan, juice daily, never mind smoothies are better and fats are actually great for brain development.
Recycle, waste less, have all the newest trends. In your home and in your closet! Wear heels, wear flats, and God forbid you wear white before Easter and after Labor day! Don’t ever be underdressed or overdressed and make sure you always wear matching underwear.
Look fashion forward at all times, rock the athleisure look without sweating, workout every day, don’t weigh yourself ever, fit into a size 0 jean and an XXS top, but of course, have an abnormally large chest and rear for that size zero waist. Wear the perfect red lip, oh never mind, a neutral lip is all the rage. Use copious amounts of skincare products so you don’t actually look your God-given age and make sure that each of the products is clean of harmful products and animal cruelty.
Read to your kids an hour a day, don’t let them watch TV because their brain melts, don’t buy toys from China because well, toxins. Have a beautifully staged basket of your great grandma’s childhood toys but don’t let your kids touch them because lead paint will kill us all. Teach your kids to clean like a maid at age two so your home is always Instagram spotless while you post pictures of them doing that homemade craft that will be thrown in the trash as soon as the picture is posted and you have yelled at them for making a bigger mess than is acceptable.
Have a perfectly cozy farmhouse chic home filled with layers and layers of shiplap, old books, and vintage everything. Or a minimalist home with two chairs, a cardboard box couch that closes up for easy storage and only one perfectly placed candle to photograph and read by because of course, you don’t own a television.
Enough is enough!
My prayer for my home, myself and for 2018! Less for more!
Not less is more, but less for more.
It requires action and intention on my part! None of the above expectations matter.
In my life I want...
Less stuff and more intention.
Less extensive commitments to fill my calendar and more margin to spend time with those I love.
Less food and more health.
Less clutter in my home and more space to make real memories.
Less spending on items and more experiences together with the money we saved.
Less worry and more peace.
Ultimately less of me and more of Jesus!
What do you want? Not in 2018 but in life? You and your creator get to set your own expectations for yourself! Nobody else gets to determine what you are and do.
If you want to be a boho chic minimalist, who loves watching Daniel Tiger with your kids, making a mess baking and loves Zumba classes, you do that!
If you want to be a spin teacher who rocks yoga pants, a top knot, and tennis shoes all day while shopping at Walmart for made in China toys for your newborn, eating pizza on Tuesdays and beer on Fridays, you do that!
If I want to be a thick girl who wishes she liked working out, loves carbs and cheese but is learning to care for my body in the most healthy way, Let me! I Can switch up my style between casual v-necks and dresses while caring for my tribe…let me! If I say no to the dinner out or the PTO meeting, LET ME! I am on a journey folks. A long journey to know what God’s best is for me and to know that I am not defined even by my outward appearance or surroundings.
I am not saying, you do you, I am saying let Jesus be the framework that tells you what you can and should be. Follow Him and forget about everyone else’s opinions.