I’m Afraid I’m Boring

I went to a women’s gathering, and as we introduced ourselves to one another we were instructed to share something interesting about ourselves.

It was my turn.

I had nothing.

So that’s exactly what I said. That I was trying to figure out who I was, what fun felt like, and that I was boring during this intense season of work and motherhood and busy-ness.

And I truly believed it.

There were things I could have said, probably. I love cooking and I’m pretty good at it.

But I’m no gourmet chef.

I love taking pictures.

But others do it so much better than me.

I write and get paid for it.

But it’s not like I have a published book or anything, so it doesn’t really count.

I have a dream.

But I’m not wildly successful yet.

Our family loves camping.

But these days it’s in a travel trailer so other people probably don’t consider that real camping, anyway.

None of it counts.

That’s what I told myself, anyway.

I discounted everything that defined me as me because I tried to filter them through others’ thoughts and opinions. Through comparison with other people.  Through a lens of achievement.

And I didn’t measure up.

But ladies, that was a mistake.  I wasn’t being kind to myself.  I wasn’t honoring the gifts and the passions and the dreams that have been placed within me and was instead caring more about whether other people thought they were worthy.

And when I decided other people would deem them unworthy, I deemed them as unworthy, too.

I know I’m not the only one who’s ever done this.  I know many of us women do the same.  And it’s time to stop.

So instead of comparison, I’m choosing connection.  I’m choosing to define myself by passion instead of perfection.  And when I do that, I realize…I am all those things that I so easily brushed to the side when I should have owned them.

And now I’m going to take a deep, scary breath and confidently declare that…

I’m a great cook.

I’m a photographer.

I’m a writer.

I’m a dreamer.

I’m an entrepreneur.

I’m a camper.

I’m a homemaker.

I’m a mom.

And I’m most certainly not boring.

Now it’s your turn.  Complete the sentence in the comments below:

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