OK, but how?  Don’t we all want to be our best selves?  Yet do we really know what this means?  Well, I believe it means something different for every woman and every girl.

This past Sunday, I was feeling down and self-critical about my parenting and my work.  I had a list of everything I was doing wrong.  I could feel myself slipping into this familiar hole of self-doubt.  My youngest daughter was sitting at the kitchen table and so I shared this with her.  I know that many moms feel the pressure to keep their struggles from their children, but I like to think that sharing my humanness can be beneficial to my daughters.  

After spewing my negative thoughts, my daughter said “Mom, you thinking you’re not a good mom is an insult to me.  How could a bad mom have raised such a wonderful daughter?”  That got my attention.  I also liked the double-compliment in her comment; it was fine that she complimented herself too.

You see, this all started when I tried to write a blog post for my newsletter and bake muffins at the same time.  Well, I had writer’s block and my muffins were undercooked and my daughter found my hair (I hope it was mine) in her muffin.  That’s all it took for me to start spinning into my negative downward spiral.

Side note:  I hate to cook and consequently can feel like a “bad” mother because June Cleaver always baked 🙂 but she did not run a business and was not a single mother.

I share this with you because we are all human and we are all trying to be our best selves.  Trying means we are on our path and conscious about it.  Let’s keep trying at every stage and every turn.

If you are not happy with yourself today, then ask WHY?  

• What is it that you need to do differently?
• Do you need to set a new goal?
• Do you need to re-adjust your expectations?

So for me on Sunday, I pulled myself together and left the house.  I spent several hours getting out of my own head and stopping my downward spiral.  Today as I write this it is Monday; it is a new day and my goal is to be my best self TODAY.  If I fall short, I will be kind to myself and try again tomorrow.

What about you?

 

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Michelle Kelley Licensed Counselor, Owner, Girls Stand Strong

Licensed counselor and founder of Girls Stand Strong Michelle Kelley, LCSW, helps girls and women of all ages develop and improve their self-image, self-esteem, relationship and communication skills, emotional understanding, coping skills, the ability to handle difficult situations and people, and resiliency to create a brighter, better and more successful tomorrow. For more information about Michelle’s coaching and counseling services, call (703) 505-2413 or email michelle@girlsstandstrong.com.