#society

If you are anything like me then you must know the struggle is real when it comes to saying no. If you are anything like me, then you know you are the most reliable person you know, and so does everyone else. With that great strength comes a heavy responsibility because everyone will ask you to do EVERYTHING. Then, they become accustomed to you always saying yes that they no longer ask you – they tell you.

You always throw all the parties and get together’s, or babysit the kids, or take on the new projects at work and lead/train the new people, and let’s not forget the perfect house maid and, for some of you, the best mommies to exist. I think I forgot to mention the socialite of the all these gatherings, always having a smile on your face, and typically well kept-up?

You could also be the star athlete who everyone looks up to, the president of a club and a straight A student working towards your diploma, 1st degree, master’s degree, or even your doctorate. Degrees are great, by the way, but do you always try to be perfect at it?

The thing I am trying to get through to you is this – you try your hardest to be what everyone believes the “Perfect Woman” should be, but in the process have lost your identity as an individual with flaws. Our social media clogs us with perceptions that we as women should be….

A top employee with high marks working towards top management.
A perfect mommy who always spends time with her kids.
Has their house in well-order with every crumb in its place.
Has perfect temperament – never loud or angry!
Strong, but not bossy.
A Godly woman who reads her bible every day.
An athlete, but not too muscly.
Beautiful and ladylike while in public.
A master of sexual gratification in bed. (Side note – married of course.)
The perfect wife who treats her husband as she should with everything he needs.
A friend to all who gives the best advice.

And these are only a few to name, and they come from so many outlets spilling over into our lives. What we hear and what we see ultimately shape us into the people we become, but have we let our senses become desensitized to the marketing of media, and the opinions of others, that we no longer are able to discover our own identity as a woman?

As a woman who was once in your shoes then I must tell you…..say no. You can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t want to. There is no such thing as a perfect woman. If you try then you will lose your identity in this world because flaws shape you into the character that you are.

Mentally? It is not good for you. To become the woman you wish to become then you need to stop listening to the mouths of those around you that tell you who you ought to be, silence the television, and delete social media. At least for a short while. That way you can silence the noise and meditate on your inner soul, focus on the events that develop you and discover who you are for yourself.

You are not perfect. And that’s okay. You don’t have to bow down to the wishes of others and create a version of you that demonstrates perfection. Doing that will prevent you from opening up to your mistakes and imperfections to other women around you who want what is best for you.

You don’t have to have the perfect body, hair, or face. You don’t have to have the most successful career. You don’t have to try and be the best mommy who serves her kid(s) only organic foods. You don’t have to be the perfect wife who does everything for her husband. You don’t have to be the strong friend who allows gives advice.

You don’t have to be ______________________.

You are one person. You can’t do it all. You will drive yourself insane trying to do so. All you can do is be who God created you to be. Keep striving to be a better you, but don’t kill yourself trying to be it all. You can’t. You have your strengths and weaknesses, and I have mine.

Your flaws make you who you are and that’s beautiful because there is only one of you, and only you can walk in your shoes. ❤

Jennie Laureen

Photo by Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash

I am not a big fan of taking selfies just to post them. Of course, i’ll post a few because I am proud of my outfit or new hair, but on a daily basis? Nope.

It’s not my profession. If you do hair or makeup or are a gym junkie who demonstrates bodily progress then yes – selfie away. Go and market yourself like a pro because you deserve to grow your business!

What I’m referencing is the unmatched proportion of selfies taken by people to just post a selfie. I scroll through Instagram at least twice a day, and sometimes I will see someone post three-four pictures of themselves, or videos of themselves on their story, in a few short hours. That doesn’t seem necessary. We all know what you look like.

Selfies, in and of themselves are not bad, but it’s when you become reliant on the aftermath of your post. The comments and the likes come streaming in and you get a boost of adrenaline or a dose of dopamine that satisfies you.

And this is not a girl problem – it’s a boy problem too.

The issue lies in where your source of energy, joy, and self-confidence comes from. I want you to sit back and think about something:

Do you rely on someone “hearting/liking your picture” to tell you that you are good enough? Beautiful enough? Handsome enough? Strong enough? Loved enough? Are enough…?

If there is one thing that I have learned in life it’s that you can’t rely on what other people think of you in order to understand what your own worth is. You are worthy because the King of Kings loves you regardless of what you have done or will do in your life. You are worthy because you are a human being, and your mother worked very hard to bring you into this world.

You are worthy because there isn’t another soul on this earth that is exactly like you, and we need every person who is uniquely different to create the society we live in. No one can be the same. I don’t want to live in a world where we all try to be the same person – reach the same goals.

No one can be or should be the same.

#relationshipgoals #bodygoals #selfiegoals #stylegoals #vacationgoals #lifegoals

We don’t need reassurance from any one else to tell us: “Hey, I’m reaching those goals so i’m posting to tell you.”

It’s easy to pitfall into a state of reliance on the opinions of others, but we were never meant to live a life striving to please what man believes is good and right.

Galatians 1:10 says “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

We need to step back and see where our heart lies. Walking with Christ is never just a moment of “I accept you as my Lord and Savior” and you are done. This is a journey that lasts until you take your last breath, and it doesn’t get easier.

I challenge you to go 30 days without posting 1 single selfie. Focus on what God thinks of you, and see where your confidence comes from.

Love,

Jennie Laureen

Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash

Jennie Laureen

Winning The Woman Within

You don’t need someone to hit “like” to know your worth.

Do you rely on someone “hearting/liking your picture” to tell you that you are good enough? Beautiful enough? Handsome enough? Strong enough? Loved enough? Are enough…?

It’s easy to pitfall into a state of reliance on the opinions of others, but we were never meant to live a life striving to please what man believes is good and right.