Today I wanted to share a couple of things that have been on my mind lately: one being this super soft cardigan and two (and more seriously) I wanted to share a quick note of encouragement for anyone out there that routinely struggles with anxiety or even just worry. That should apply to pretty much every one of us, even if only a little, since I’m sure we all have our worries no matter how big or small.
Monday on my Instagram stories I shared the day’s devotional (I read this one!) because it just felt like it was something that really resonated with me and something that I felt like a lot of other people could probably use, especially on a Monday morning. So I’m going to put it here to share it again with you:
And then I’ll be honest with you…I completely failed at following this devotional, despite how much I loved it and it spoke to me. I took it to heart and believed it, and then something less worthy than thoughts about God’s unfailing love (the thing that REALLY matters) came into my head and started to take over. This is going to sound pretty silly to some of you, but I am just going to be real about it. I put up an Instagram picture on Monday morning that I just *loved*. I thought it was a gorgeous sweater, the background was pretty, and the lighting was great! And then…it got hardly any likes. This isn’t the first time this has happened of course, I’m constantly battling the ever-changing Instagram algorithm hoping that my content is seen by my audience. But this time it just hit me harder than normal emotionally. Again if you don’t have a blog this particular example might not be something you can relate to, but think of it this way: I spend hours upon hours styling my looks, getting the pictures taken, editing said photos, and finally picking the one I think is just right. So it’s hard sometimes to put something up on social media that you work so hard on, and rely on the validation of your hard work through how many times someone double-taps your photo.
Sometimes the lines get blurry when you start placing your worth in how many likes you get, and associating it with you actually being liked as a person. Instagram has so many great qualities and I love connecting with people on there, but it can also have some downsides that can bring you down pretty easily. At least that has been my experience.
So then I wasn’t feeling great about that and then I started feeling WORSE that I wasn’t listening to my devotional and remembering what is true and real and important. It says to look at times of anxiety as a growth opportunity so I tried not to dwell on that picture, which by the way I took down even though I never do that, and I moved on by finding and planning new content that excites me. I had another photoshoot with Deanna on Monday evening so it was a great outlet to go ahead and work on getting that new content and I have more planned in the coming weeks. So in the end, it sparked some new creativity and drive to do better, and maybe that’s what the goal was of it all playing out that way.
This might be a weak example, but it was the true example of what happened to me that day, and it was an example of how we are all constantly works in progress and just how difficult it truly can be to keep your mind, heart, & thoughts on God, especially in those times we should the most! Hopefully next time I will do a little better to focus on that and not let the negativity win over.
“I am always loved and accepted by God, no matter what I experience or who may reject me.” – Romans 8:35
So to that end I hope you can relate to some portion of those feelings of anxiety, worry, or inadequacy and I hope that this reading and the verse above will give you peace. It seriously brings me so much comfort and I just read it over and over. Maybe you are working hard at something and no one is noticing, or maybe something is going on in your life that you feel is out of your control. Or maybe something else entirely keeps you up at night, weighs down your thoughts, or makes your heart heavy. If so, I encourage you to work on embracing the challenges that life may be presenting you and to seek to find the blessings in the difficulties, just as the devotional says. We can work on it together 🙂
outfit deets: sweater | shorts | t-shirt | sunglasses | booties | clutch (similar)
Now on to the less serious part of the post, this sweater! I posted it on my Instagram over the weekend because I wore it as my comfy travel outfit on the way home from our getaway to Old Edwards Inn. It is so soft and actually I have it in another color, too! So once I saw this pink color, I knew I had to have it. It’s so perfect for transitioning into spring, but really it’s a great color year round!! And it’s the perfect medium weight so you can definitely wear it in the cooler weather and layer it, or wear it just with a t-shirt or tank top with cutoff shorts, like I did here, for warmer weather! I’m wearing a size small.
Also, these shorts are new and they are under $45!! I love that they are high waisted and slightly distressed, but that they are a darker denim. They’re super stretchy and comfy too. I’m in a medium for size reference.
Do you ever struggle with anxiety or worry? What ways help you cope with those feelings?
xo,
Bess
Thank you for this post! Emotional health is so important but yet so rarely talked about. I’ve also been feeling a lot of anxiety lately while trying to balance work/school and wondering if I’m good/strong/smart ennough to tough through it. So thank you for sharing. Josh shared a quote with me yesterday that really resonated, “If you don’t build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.” – Tony Gaskins
Thank you Charlotte! That is a great quote for sure. And for reinforcement I know you are good, strong, and smart enough…and more to accomplish your dreams 🙂 I’m always here if you ever wanna chat!! xx
Totally agree with the above comment- thank you for this post! I think this is something we all struggle with but fail to realize that we aren’t the only ones sometimes. It’s nice to be able to see other people have daily struggles, with even the small things but we can all build each other up and trust that God has a plan to pull us through any anxiety or worries we have. 🙂
Yes!! I agree. It’s like we are all too scared to show that we have struggles and let that wall down. There is nothing weak in showing that we experience hard times or difficulties, no matter how big or small! I think in fact the opposite is true, like you say, that there is strength in showing that we may need help or that we don’t have it all together all the time so we can allow others to know it is okay to feel that way. And then yes of course, knowing God is there to hold us together even when we don’t feel strong enough!! Thank you so much for your comment Marla!
Thanks for being open and honest and genuine! I can relate to anxiety even though I don’t have a blog and haven’t been in this specific situation.
On another note – the links to the shorts aren’t working 🙁
Hey Heidi!! So glad this post resonated with you. I think we can all struggle with anxiety and worry to some degree, it certainly isn’t always about the blog for me but in this case it was. Just gotta keep your head up!! Thank you for your comment and PS here is the link to the shorts, thank you for letting me know!!
I loved this honest post! It makes me feel so much better that you, an established blogger with a large audience, feels exactly the same way I, a newbie blogger, does sometimes. Instagram absolutely has its pros and cons. Keep it up! 😘
Thank you Alexis!! I know, the struggle is so real. Just gotta try to keep pushing on and creating content that you love! Thank you for your comment!!