Letter from the Editor: Am I Really Enough?

Good morning (or afternoon for you East Coasters)! I just returned from a visit to the vet (the “boys” needed their annual check-up, and we needed to receive our annual scolding for not brushing their teeth...), and am heading out soon to a women's leadership retreat, but before my day gets away from me I wanted to touch base with you all--

If you’ve been reading Deviantly Domesticated for any length of time, you’ve probably come to learn that I always have new plans and projects up my sleeve. Therefore it should come as no surprise to you that I have some fun features and opportunities planned for this space for the rest of 2010. And one of them is to start writing a letter from the “editor” (so-to-speak)--direct from me to you--on a more regular basis. Because though you often see my latest fashion projects, culinary efforts and thoughts on femininity, you don’t often hear about my day-to-day life as an writer/speaker/wife/friend/etc.

So I thought I’d kick off this new column today with some of my reflections on a je ne sais quoi post I wrote last month--the one about being “enough.” You see, I have to confess that I’ve been struggling with that one quite a bit lately. Probably it comes with the territory of being an entrepreneur--it is common to feel like there is always more work that can be done, and not enough time to do it. But even more so, I’ve been challenged lately because I have ambitions that I’m not attaining. For instance, I’d like to make more money. And I’d love to have a larger audience. And I worry that I’m not doing enough--or don’t have what it takes--to reach the goals I’ve set.

In other words, I worry that I’m falling short. That I don’t have the right skills or the right stamina or the right connections. Because I figure that if I was enough, than I would be more successful at reaching those goals...right? My life doesn’t look the way I want, so there must be something wrong with me...right?

I bring this up because I know that on the surface it looks like I have everything together. But the truth is that I think about these ideas of femininity and confidence and beauty as much as you all do--and I don’t have it all figured out. So even though I have the sense to write about “being enough,” the practice of it is not as easy.

Fortunately I have good friends and family to listen to me, give advice, and offer encouragement. And I’m thankful for all of you, too, who read my posts and send me your comments. So know that in addition to a week full of retreats and business expos and daily chose, I’ll also be working on just being enough.

We’ll talk again soon!
--steph

It's Time for Motivational Speeches!

I was watching the Today Show this morning, and they reported on a recent Gallup poll that suggested that people in the US are feeling down about the times.  Apparently high gas prices, falling home values, debt, climate change, and politics are causing some of us to feel rather pessimistic about the future.  Pessimistic and fearful.

I can relate.  I don't want to be whiny about my life, because in the grand scheme of things, I have it pretty good.  But I understand what it feels like to be concerned for the future.

After showing the results of this Gallup poll, the Today Show then brought on motivational speaker, Tony Robbins.  I'm sure you've seen him before--very tall, handsome man who speaks in a low voice about taking charge of your emotions and your life.  Listening to him was admittedly a little inspiring (he obviously has that ability, given his million-dollar business as a motivator).  He encouraged people to recognize their fears and emotional habits, and then use them to make the most of the circumstances.  Easier said than done, right?

One thing he did mention that I liked was that troubling times are fertile soil for creativity and ingenuity.  Sort of a "necessity breeds innovation" philosophy.  I happen to agree.  Yes, the times are challenged.  I'm uncomfortable.  I look into the future and worry a bit.  But, I also look at my neighborhood and see a lot of potential.  I see other women who, if connected, could support each other through these times.  I see tons of creativity and innovation just waiting to burst forth.  I see opportunities to share resources, nurture small business, and take leadership.  

Now, I'm no Tony Robbins.  But I do think that if we take the time to invest in each other, and to practice some of the things we've been talking about these last several weeks (like supporting micro-business, using our "relational currency," and being "rooted" leaders), that our efforts might bear good fruit even in unstable times.  It's worth a shot, don't you think?