Next year I’ll put on makeup every day
And brush my hair and straighten it.
I’ll make my food on Sunday night
And freeze in Tupperware
And while that cakes are busy baking
I’ll make my jewelry and greetings card,
The ones I’ll sell to the PTA
While drinking smoothies made of kale.
I’ll make a bullet journal, a mood board,
A fucking five year plan, heck make it ten.
Next year I’ll be better than I was,
I’ll be like Jen from number eight,
Who power walks twice a day
And never eats a solid food.
Next year I’ll be better than I was,
I’ll aim for such a dizzying height,
I’ll put up a valiant fight.
I watch all these women on YouTube and they have an amazing career, they make sure they’re organised by creating a bullet journal, they can paint and draw, run marathons and they have five kids that are all turned out immaculately. Meanwhile, I’m over here eating raw brussel sprouts from the bag as I lie on the sofa in leggings that have several holes in them.
I know that people do curate the best bits of their lives to put on social media, but still. These women really do seem to have their shit together.
I also know that I may put some makeup on for the first week of January, but by February I won’t even be brushing my hair. I wish I was one of those women with glossy hair and always wearing heels but I just can’t do it.
When I was seeing a therapist, we used to refer to these women as the Lordsfield Gardens women because this was the name of the street where all the posh mums lived. They had rich husbands and they ran Etsy stores while the kids were at school. Or they were at Pilates all morning, followed by a latte and a panini that cost more than my weekly shop.
I always longed to be a Lordsfield Gardens woman because I thought that they had no worries. But the more I grow and find my own place in the world, the more I realise that living in a crappy flat in a rough part of town is OK.
I bought the flat with my own money, I’ve made it my own home. I’m free to pack up whenever I want and go wherever I want. I’ve had some cool adventures over the years and that’s far more exciting than Pilates at Virgin Active.
Much Love
Rachel xx
P.S. I would still quite like to have a go at making a bullet journal, just to be clear….
Margot Kinberg
Bullet journals have their place. But comparing yourself to others can lead to a very dark place. As you say, people tend to put their best selves online, so you don’t see the worries and cares that plague their lives. They’re probably anxious to prove jut how wonderful they are, and worried that someone might find out they don’t live a rose gold life. If you are content, and you are learning and growing, then you have more than a lot of other people do. Revel in those leggings with holes!
patientandkindlove
Haha, here’s to another year of sloppy clothes and Pot Noodles!
tanvibytes
I agree that people put up the best part of their lives, which is why making comparisons can be very tough. Especially during quarantine, when we’ve been interacting through social media more.
Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful new year celebration. Good luck with bullet journaling, it seems like so much fun! 🙂
p.s. I recently started a blog, and it would mean so much if you checked it out! 🙂
patientandkindlove
I will check it out! Have a lovely new year x
K.L. Hale
Great post and words. You nailed it about the “boasts” vs “posts”. Don’t stop being YOU. You are wonderfully made. I’m not a heels girl, I shop at the Dollar General, I hang with the poor, I love the unlovely, I admire the messy, I support the suffering,…I am who I am. Individuals find their self-worth in varying ways. Social Media has propelled the need for some to boost their appearances and life for sure. I’m glad to know you and glad you’re comfortable in your own skin–and those leggings ;-). Keep on keepin’ on. Have faith always. You’re winning. ❣
patientandkindlove
That’s lovely, I am embracing those leggings! Happy New Year x
K.L. Hale
Xoxo embrace them indeed! 💚 Happy New Year!
Ingrid
This social media whitewashed life nonsense is exactly what it is: just pretending. If you’re comfortable in your own skin, you’re a winner!
patientandkindlove
It’s so easy to get sucked into. I need to constantly remind myself that it isn’t real. They’re probably more of a mess than me!
Ingrid
Of course they are: why else would they need to shout about how great their lives are?
crispina kemp
Excellent.
I don’t know where these women find the time. I struggle to get everything done, and it’s not I’m disorganised. It’s just I like to stop and chat along the way… virtual or actual
Happy New Year, Rachel. You’re doing fine just as you are
patientandkindlove
Happy New Year to you too! x
crispina kemp
🙂 🙂 🙂