Step-ford Wife, Magazine Mum, and Keeping up with the Joneses

The other week I had a bit of a mini breakdown in a mums group on facebook. I was stressed and disappointed in myself, I was comparing myself to other people and families, and I just wasn't feeling together. I felt like I was failing at this life thing, and I was placing expectations on myself that, in reality, were fucking shit.

Over the weekend, I had an epiphany ..... 

I am not perfect and I don't WANT to be perfect.  

My house will never be a show home, but it is a home. It is a place where my girls are always safe, always loved, where play is encouraged and we learn about each other every day. I like my home, yes it could be neater, and yes I definitely could be better at maintaining the yard, but I like it. 
There is texta drawings on my dining table (yes, the actual table, who needs paper hey Miss G?) and my desk (*sigh*); finger smudges on the tv, glass doors, windows, pretty much every surface; there are clean clothes still unfolded in the baskets; and don't worry, the toilet paper all over the floor isn't used, Miss O just like to carry rolls around and spread it like confetti. 

Lisa over at Two Point Five Kids gets it. She wrote this blog today, and I'm guessing that part (a small part) of her inspiration was my vent in the mums group, and the loooong list of women that were feeling exactly the same way as me. 
If you follow me on my Facebook page or Instagram (@amindunstable) you would have seen the photos I share, and know that I post it as it is. 

I am still struggling with the daily juggle of house work, single mum, work from home business, being a friend, getting to exercise, eating healthy ... but, I've lowered my expectation of myself. 

Yes, LOWERED, *gasp*. 

So this morning I started my week with these new expectations in mind, and guess what? I got shit done, probably more than usual, because I didn't expect myself to do it all. 

I've viewed 2 rental units for Mr Ex; socialised a bit (face to face with a real person!); nearly completed an order; sorted a basket of washing (and it is all still sitting on my bed); tidied the playroom and lounge as well as the cube bookshelf unit that collects endless piles of junk; put on a load of washing (and then fished out the new Peppa Pig pj's and put them in the dryer, Miss G is going to LOVE me!); had dinner cooked by 4.30pm; and now I'm writing this blog and eating the last of the cinnamon and apple yogurt (sorry kids). 

Yeah, today wasn't a failure, and neither am I. 

Kitchen bench on a normal day here

This is tidy! 

One of two things will happen tonight - sorted piles will go back in the basket to be sorted again later, OR I'll actually put them away where they belong.

Yes, this is tidy, very tidy.