For the past year I have been struggling with the idea of what I think I should be doing, what I'd like to be doing and facing the reality of not being able to do either because the fact of the matter is they aren't me. I'm trying to be someone I'm not. And unsuccessfully I might add!
I want to be the mom and wife who makes uber cute and utterly practical crafts for her family and house~ the handmade fabric coasters that totally coordinate with my decor, the crayon roll crayon holder so Addie can color while we're out and about, the super cute hair accessories to go with Addie's wildly fun hair, or my all time favorite Baby Legs. My list of "want to create" projects goes on and on.
If you remember way back last February or March I had set a goal to try to create something each week. It seemed like a good idea. It seemed doable. But when it came down to it, all I got out of it was a lot of frustration and a lot of undue stress. So I am thinking I am obviously not the kind of mom who makes uber cute things.
I want to be the wife who is so responsible and practical with money. I want to be the mom who gets $75.00 worth of groceries for $6.00. But after countless hours of deal searching, coupon printing/clipping and list making and only walking away with a migraine each time, I was told by Marty to stop. That if I am going to get this stressed over it, it isn't worth it. Isn't it?
I'm thinking there has to be a way for me to do it. I see all those great shopping adventures posted on people's blogs all the time, so the deals are out there. I'm thinking I want to do this so that we can have the extra cash for all the things we want to do like buy a new couch (Sorry Mary) or rip out our carpet without dipping into our savings. I'm thinking I want to do this so we can take a extra vacation or two just because. (I really want to take the kids to Disney World and Marty to the Black Hills) So I am being completely stubborn and refusing to give up on this couponing thing. But the reality is........I'm not coupon savvy and I need to accept it. And I am most definitely not the most fiscally responsible person in the world.
In spite of recent attempts, I'm not a baker. I'm not a crafter. I'm not a skilled couponer. I need to accept that reality and move on. Whew.....I feel better already!
What's a coupon?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, don't give up on the "crafty" and "baky" things if you enjoy doing them...the issues should NEVER be whether or not you are "good" at something as a reason for doing it.
Good how?
Saving 75 bucks in groceries? When I look at those lists, I usually see stuff I wouldn't buy anyway! So that isn't being a "good" coupon cutter for me.
We put the label of "Good" on things, but why?
(Case in point, there are people who say Dan Brown is a good author - and I would disagree. Who's right?)
For a long time, I worried about whether or not I was a "good" writer.
Now, I don't care! I LOVE to write and to create and I do it for just that reason.
FUN is the reason to do something. WANT TO is a reason to do something. Being "GOOD" at is, is not.
(there's LOTS of things I'm good at, that I SHOULDN'T DO!)
Okay, I'll step off my soap box...(being a Brandon Walsh)
I would just add to the excellent points made above that don't buy into the idea that all is perfect in those uber-crafty, coupon-cutting, money-saving blogs. Illusions are very easy to create - and are always so persuasive! But most times they are light-years away from reality.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom