• Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Mama In The Midst

mama in the middle of motherhood, middle of nowhere, in the midst of figuring it all out

  • Home
  • Motherhood
  • Kitchen
  • Style
  • Decor
  • Farm Life
  • Faith
  • Arbonne

in Home· Motherhood

Laying Down the Pressure to Be and Do it All

Laying Down the Pressure To Do and Be It All
Pin It Image

Hello, mama! I’m so happy you could take a minute this busy season to come check out “Laying Down the Pressure to Be and Do it All.” My hope is that we can let go of the expectations to do and be all the things, and instead lean into to our true strengths and passions this season. Above all, I hope we simply enjoy.

Laying Down the Pressure to Be and Do it All

It’s that time of year where we start to make our lists. Lists of all the things: things to do, to buy, to cook, to decorate, to experience. All. The. Things. We take to Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. We prep and plan. We pencil in.

But have you ever lost yourself in the hustle and bustle? Accidentally found yourself trying to do all the things someone else’s way? Somehow taken on a societal or self imposed pressure to be all the things you’re not? It can happen in any season, but like most things this time of year, it becomes amplified.

We are living in this amazing time where we have so much information right at our fingertips. Want to know how to make a jaw dropping charcuterie board? Dried orange garland? Salt dough ornaments with your child’s footprint? Need an advent activity (or 25)? A meaningful homemade teacher gift complete with cute printables and mason jars? Take to Pinterest! Head to Google! We are covered. Within minutes we have all the resources at our fingertips to make these things happen. Tutorials, printables, shopable links, recipes.

Click, click, click.

And I love them all. I’m a blogger for goodness sake. Not to mention a mom of four who counts on that printable for the kids’ Christmas party, or the new recipe for the next gathering. These things are not inherently negative, but it can go there if we let it. We can see ALL the things and begin to think we need to do all the things. And be all the things to all the people.

Laying Down the Pressure To Do and Be It All
Pin It Image

And so, it’s not the resources. It’s the losing ourselves in the resources. It’s forcing activity because we think we should. Cooking gourmet when we’re more potluck. It’s trying to be homemade when deep down we’re more of store bought kinda girl. It’s doing for the sake of doing rather than enjoying. It’s taking on the expectation that we should be experts at everything: skilled seamstresses, culinary artists, master decorators, skilled entertainers….

And on and on it goes.

Until one day, we no longer see ourselves and our shining strengths (Because you’ve got them, mama. Loads of them), but rather all the things we are not. We take that one person’s skill and talent to entertain, or cook, or create, and we measure it against our own. But here is the thing, you’ve got your own expertise. Your own talents. Maybe that thing you do so well? That person does not. Maybe you can’t make Pinterest worthy desserts for the bake sale, but you can organize it. Or maybe creating things isn’t your strong suit, but you have the gift of hospitality or giving.

Maybe…

Maybe just maybe, we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can stay in our lane and stick to our strengths and capabilities. We can appreciate other’s skills without diminishing our own. We can enjoy more and impose expectations on ourselves less.

Laying Down the Pressure To Do and Be It All
Pin It Image

Do ever find yourself feeling like you need to do it all and perfectly? Moreover, what expectations can you lay down this season to give yourself grace?

Love this post Laying Down the Pressure to Be and Do it All? Check out:

Releasing Expectation: Finding Magic in the Small

A Note on Comparison In The Era of Social Media

Perspective Without the Weight of Perfection in Motherhood

Mama In The Midst contains affiliate links. Thank you for clicking around my site. As always, I appreciate you! Above all, I hope you enjoyed Laying Down the Pressure to Be and Do it All.

(Visited 145 times, 139 visits today)

6 Comments

« Stitch Fix Review: September 2019
Easy Sausage Stuffing Balls »

Comments

  1. Carissa Nelson says

    December 2, 2019 at 10:25 pm

    Love this! You always speak right to my heart friend. I especially love the “doing versus enjoying” – that can be so me!

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      December 4, 2019 at 3:16 pm

      Thank you!! It can be so me, as well!! I need this reminding!

      Reply
  2. Amber S Battishill says

    December 6, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    Love this! I’ve really taken a step back this year and simplified what I feel like I need to do and am focusing more on what I *want* to do. It’s made for less stress and enjoying the journey much more.

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      December 7, 2019 at 11:44 am

      I totally agree. That can really change the tone of the whole season. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  3. Amanda Rosson says

    December 9, 2019 at 8:08 am

    As someone who always has an never-ending to-do list (especially around the holidays), this post really resonated with me! I really love what you said about we are not less because we do less. <3

    Reply
    • jodyniebuhr says

      December 10, 2019 at 12:21 pm

      Never ending to do lists are real! And thank you so much! I have to remind myself of that last part! Merry Christmas!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

meet the author


Helloo, friends! I’m so glad you’re here! Welcome! Let’s get to know each other. I’m Jody. I’m a farmwife in the Midwest raising kids and crops in the middle of nowhere. I am a stay at home mama of four children 8,7, 4, and 3; wife to a crazy hard working man.

let’s connect

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

categories

stay up to date

Join me on Instagram

mamainthemidst

Instagram post 2198405159369226357_7624293127 F E A T U R E  FRIDAY ☕️ I am so excited to share this week's #coldcoffeeandjesus co-host @simijohn! We loved what she shared in her recent post living an abundant life!⠀
⠀
Want to know more about Simi? Head to her account @simijohn and give her a follow. If you're a Jesus loving & coffee drinking lady tag us for a chance to be featured!⠀
⠀
All you have to do is:⠀
▪️tag your pics with #coldcoffeeandjesus⠀
▪️Follow all hosts⠀
⠀
Lydia @thriftandthimble_⠀
Becca @myjoyfulmoment⠀
Becca @theminiapartmentblog ⠀
Emily @darlinglittlelife⠀
Jody @mamainthemidst⠀
Annie @annie.rohde⠀
Viktoria @therevelationdiaries⠀
⠀
We will feature a new guest host every other Friday (starting back in the New Year!), and will share a few other favorites in our stories who’ve been using the hashtag. Enjoy your coffee today, mama! Whether you’re lucky to drink it hot, or after 4 hours of it sitting out. Happy Friday! 💛
Instagram post 2198084128314024396_7624293127 Happy Friday, friends!! What are your plans for the weekend? My parents are coming to town and we are going to make gingerbread houses, and maybe cookies, too. So pray for me because that is a lot of sugar and a lot of kids😳🤪 You can shop my squares 2 ways:
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app
2️⃣ use them link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I7il #liketkit
Instagram post 2197358518344274728_7624293127 Maybe just maybe, we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can stay in our lane and stick to our strengths and capabilities. We can appreciate other’s skills without diminishing our own. We can enjoy more and impose expectations on ourselves less.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
I wrote these words last week in my blog post Laying Down the Pressure to Do and Be it All this Season. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to check it out. Link in bio👉🏼⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Also, sharing a bit of my mess in stories today to remind us all that no one has it all together. What’s one area of your life that is your accepted mess?
Instagram post 2196639791226080223_7624293127 Who needs an app or side for your holiday gatherings??? Welp, stop what you’re doing and make these sausage stuffing balls...they are so crispy and savory. And even my husband, who is less than thrilled with stuffing approves!⠀
⠀
Would you believe I snapped this pic on Thanksgiving day?📸 Who else is a master multitasker🙋🏼‍♀️
.
.
Recipe Link in bio!!👉🏼
Instagram post 2195951441147253670_7624293127 Wanna know what a dog looks like right before she destroys your decor? This girl is bound and determined to keep my porch decor minimal!

How would you describe your decorating style? Minimal or extravagant? (FYI, I would call mine a hot mess because I still have a few pumpkins I spied that I forgot to put away and need to take Christmas boxes back down to the basement💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ You can shop my squares 2 ways: 
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app.
2️⃣ use the link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I0rM #liketkit
Instagram post 2192990186472108726_7624293127 Are you a baker? I tend to prefer more rustic dishes because true baking often requires precision, and to be quite honest, I am more a little of this; a little of that kinda girl. ⠀
⠀
I think it’s good to remind myself of who I really am instead of trying to fit myself into a box that wasn’t really made for me in the first place. For far too long I did things more because I thought I should and less because it was actually for me. ⠀
⠀
So here’s to be completely, unashamedly, boldly ourselves this holiday season💃💃 What’s one holiday tradition that is not you?⠀
⠀
In other news, ya’ll, this baker is $9 for cyber week at Lifeway.com. $9!!! #LifeWayCyberWeek is killing it! Getcha one!! I love how you can display it when you’re not using it, too! Head on up to my stories to see how I styled it on my open shelves. ⠀
⠀
@lifeway #lifewaypartner #lifewaywomen
Instagram post 2190873837176314415_7624293127 When your original plan is to do an ultimate leggings round up and review blog post talking all things leggings (because I am an expert at leggings, you know💁🏼‍♀️), but your child is sick, you throw it back to an old pic and put it out there that the post is coming soon.

Because hair done, bed made, and leaving Emry’s side has not been accomplished in days. But I have been living in leggings this past week, so the research continues!☺️ (Clearly I am a highly dedicated and sophisticated journalist committed to my work  over here🤣) So tell me, are you a leggings or jeans girl?
.
.
You can shop my looks through the link in my bio or on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app by following Mama In The Midst. .
http://liketk.it/2HLfC #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKunder100 #LTKcurves #LTKunder50
Instagram post 2190074547872801928_7624293127 Do you ever feel like you are just barely hanging on during the holiday seasons? Have you ever lost yourself in the hustle and bustle? Accidentally found yourself trying to do all the things someone else’s way? Somehow taken on a societal or self imposed pressure to be all the things you’re not? ⠀
⠀
As we enter December, here’s our reminder that this season we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can lay down some of those pressures and enjoy.⠀
⠀
If this resonates with you, check out my newest blog post on laying down the expectations and pressures of the season. I would be so honored if you checked it out! Link in bio👉🏼
Instagram post 2187920968391244643_7624293127 Grace upon grace. I recently had two different friends tell me how much they appreciated times when I’ve told them to give themselves grace....if I have to be honest that advice is so easy for me to give, but not always to take. I am hard on myself. I critique and find fault. But, you guys, His grace is sufficient. More than enough. Abundant. ⠀
⠀
And so, I am reminded to purposefully rest in His grace. To remember that we are worthy because He calls us worthy. His power is made perfect in our very weaknesses. ⠀
⠀
Wear it on your shirt. Put it on a post it. Write it on your mirror, but remember, to give grace. To yourself and to others. We all need it. ⠀
⠀
Do you Black Friday shop from online or in store? I am an online shopper through and through! This cozy grace upon grace sweatshirt [#ad ] is just one of the many sale items in the Black Friday Weekend sale going on at Lifeway.com ⠀
⠀
Shop the @lifeway link in my bio👉🏼⠀
⠀
#lifewayblackfriday
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Looking for something?

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join me on Instagram

mamainthemidst

Instagram post 2198405159369226357_7624293127 F E A T U R E  FRIDAY ☕️ I am so excited to share this week's #coldcoffeeandjesus co-host @simijohn! We loved what she shared in her recent post living an abundant life!⠀
⠀
Want to know more about Simi? Head to her account @simijohn and give her a follow. If you're a Jesus loving & coffee drinking lady tag us for a chance to be featured!⠀
⠀
All you have to do is:⠀
▪️tag your pics with #coldcoffeeandjesus⠀
▪️Follow all hosts⠀
⠀
Lydia @thriftandthimble_⠀
Becca @myjoyfulmoment⠀
Becca @theminiapartmentblog ⠀
Emily @darlinglittlelife⠀
Jody @mamainthemidst⠀
Annie @annie.rohde⠀
Viktoria @therevelationdiaries⠀
⠀
We will feature a new guest host every other Friday (starting back in the New Year!), and will share a few other favorites in our stories who’ve been using the hashtag. Enjoy your coffee today, mama! Whether you’re lucky to drink it hot, or after 4 hours of it sitting out. Happy Friday! 💛
Instagram post 2198084128314024396_7624293127 Happy Friday, friends!! What are your plans for the weekend? My parents are coming to town and we are going to make gingerbread houses, and maybe cookies, too. So pray for me because that is a lot of sugar and a lot of kids😳🤪 You can shop my squares 2 ways:
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app
2️⃣ use them link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I7il #liketkit
Instagram post 2197358518344274728_7624293127 Maybe just maybe, we can see all the things and not take on the expectation to be all the things. We can remind ourselves that we are not less because we do less. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We are not required to do or excel at it all. We can stay in our lane and stick to our strengths and capabilities. We can appreciate other’s skills without diminishing our own. We can enjoy more and impose expectations on ourselves less.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
I wrote these words last week in my blog post Laying Down the Pressure to Do and Be it All this Season. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to check it out. Link in bio👉🏼⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Also, sharing a bit of my mess in stories today to remind us all that no one has it all together. What’s one area of your life that is your accepted mess?
Instagram post 2196639791226080223_7624293127 Who needs an app or side for your holiday gatherings??? Welp, stop what you’re doing and make these sausage stuffing balls...they are so crispy and savory. And even my husband, who is less than thrilled with stuffing approves!⠀
⠀
Would you believe I snapped this pic on Thanksgiving day?📸 Who else is a master multitasker🙋🏼‍♀️
.
.
Recipe Link in bio!!👉🏼
Instagram post 2195951441147253670_7624293127 Wanna know what a dog looks like right before she destroys your decor? This girl is bound and determined to keep my porch decor minimal!

How would you describe your decorating style? Minimal or extravagant? (FYI, I would call mine a hot mess because I still have a few pumpkins I spied that I forgot to put away and need to take Christmas boxes back down to the basement💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ You can shop my squares 2 ways: 
1️⃣ follow me @mamainthemidst in the free @liketoknow.it app.
2️⃣ use the link in my bio to go directly to my shop page http://liketk.it/2I0rM #liketkit
Instagram post 2192990186472108726_7624293127 Are you a baker? I tend to prefer more rustic dishes because true baking often requires precision, and to be quite honest, I am more a little of this; a little of that kinda girl. ⠀
⠀
I think it’s good to remind myself of who I really am instead of trying to fit myself into a box that wasn’t really made for me in the first place. For far too long I did things more because I thought I should and less because it was actually for me. ⠀
⠀
So here’s to be completely, unashamedly, boldly ourselves this holiday season💃💃 What’s one holiday tradition that is not you?⠀
⠀
In other news, ya’ll, this baker is $9 for cyber week at Lifeway.com. $9!!! #LifeWayCyberWeek is killing it! Getcha one!! I love how you can display it when you’re not using it, too! Head on up to my stories to see how I styled it on my open shelves. ⠀
⠀
@lifeway #lifewaypartner #lifewaywomen
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2019 · Market theme by Restored 316