The fitness blogger that tells you to eat clean, well she took her kids to McDonalds yesterday. The couple that you think are perfect and making out all of the time, they are going through a hard time in their marriage. The mom you think never raises her voice, just did. The person giving you all the business advice, they are currently borrowing against their 401k.

I swear I am not trying to be a downer. However, I am here to remind us that no one is living a perfect life-no one. Your recipe for marriage, parenting and life are uniquely beautiful and are uniquely yours. So yes please take advice, there are many very wise people sharing out there and I am so grateful for their wisdom in my life. But!!!! Be so cautious of comparison, as comparison truly is the death of joy. Also, be extremely cautious of the thought that there is only one way to do parenting, marriage and life and that if yours does not look like that, then something is wrong.

Let’s Stop Comparing and Start Owning Our Unique Path

I am here to say my kids eat sugar cereal sometimes. We also sometimes go to McDonalds (billions and billions served did not just happen by only a few people eating there). Spencer and I love each other. However, we also sometimes want to kill each other and you know what? That is completely normal. There have been times where I wondered if I could ever forgive him and he probably has felt the exact same way. That is completely normal too. I lose my patience as a mom more than I would like and I fall down a lot too in this journey of parenthood. I have made big mistakes in my past, and guess what? So have most people. So will most people. If not them, their kids will make sure and humble them (sorry mom).⠀

I hope I share with you things I have learned along my path, but also just as much I hope that I share a daily reminder that I do not have all the answers. I am trying to be the best version of me and want to encourage that in you. Our challenging days are not just behind us, we will have more. I wish that were not the case but it is true. It is true of any relationship. It is true of life.

So do not take this as a downer. Take this as encouragement that you are living a beautifully unique imperfect life. Yes, strive to be your best. But also my friends, strive to be you. Strive to be you.

For more pep talks, check out Living Your Big Bold Life Podcast.