I had about 5 topics I wanted to write about for this post. And I’m hoping they’re topics I’ll get to someday. Because they were good. Heck, not just good. They were perfect. (And boy do I love perfect.)
But life keeps reminding me that perfection isn’t always possible. At least not alongside happiness. (And this week I need to focus on my baby’s grand entrance…not a blog post.) So in order to enjoy motherhood while I’m juggling so many things, sometimes I have to be ok with good enough. It’s not settling—I truly believe that. It’s shifting my focus from perfection to realism, and sometimes that means reprioritizing things along the way.
Some examples:
Perfect– Reading the entire book, Good Enough is the New Perfect, outlining my thought-provoking blog post and sparking a national debate with my insights about modern motherhood. (Because the book is great and really does have me thinking/wanting to start a discussion.)
Good Enough– Getting half way through the book so far and knowing I’ll read the rest—and discuss it—after this baby is born.
Perfect– Having a newly constructed master suite, the boys sleeping beautifully in bunk beds and a gorgeous nursery to bring our baby girl home to.
Good Enough– Starting to talk to architects to determine the future of our house, realizing maybe our boys aren’t quite ready for bunk beds so we’ll need a temporary sleeping set up and spending 20 minutes looking around Pottery Barn Kids for girly room decor (oh, and having clean sheets on the bassinet in the meantime).
Perfect– Spending the past six weeks in bed organizing photo books, starting to outline my book idea and writing award-winning articles.
Good Enough– Spending the past six weeks in bed ensuring my baby girl stayed cozy inside me growing healthy and strong…and visualizing myself doing those other things. Someday.
Perfect– Knowing that my baby has made it to 37 weeks, I’m finally off bed rest (as well as my anti-contraction medicine) and my family will (likely very) soon be five strong. Which means sometimes—in those rare, wonderful moments—there is room for perfection in modern motherhood.
As a member of From Left to Write book club, I received a free copy of Good Enough is the New Perfect as blog inspiration. Personally I’ve found it to be extremely thought provoking and it voices many things I’ve pondered, but never heard discussed. You can read other members’ posts inspired by this book at From Left to Write.
Gabriela - Living La Vida Normal says
May 9, 2011 at 5:50 pmI love that! Good enough as the new perfect. I have to remind myself of that. Best wishes for your baby girl’s arrival to the world!
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 10:53 amI think I should have a tshirt made or something to remind myself! Thanks for the good thoughts.
Hollee Temple says
May 10, 2011 at 1:49 pmI’m so glad the book resonated with you! We actually do have t-shirts (and 33 other random Good Enough Is the New Perfect products) on our site’s shop:)
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 8:55 pmToo funny, I’ll have to check it out!
Kimberly says
May 12, 2011 at 2:00 pmI need a tshirt too! Or maybe a tattoo across my forehead! I always love your blogs — you are so insightful, sweet friend!
Thien-Kim says
May 9, 2011 at 11:35 pmHang in there! Glad to hear you’re off bed rest! Nothing like bed rest to remind you that everything can’t be perfect and you can’t do it all right?
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 10:54 amAin’t that the truth. It was definitely a lesson in letting go. And now that I’m free, I’m a cleaning machine. (Though I’m guessing a newborn doesn’t care what my hair/make up drawer looks like.)
melanie says
May 10, 2011 at 7:59 amcongratulations making it to 37 weeks! i hope everything goes smoothly from here on out for you and the rest of your family…
thanks for the inspiration, and the reminder that good really is good enough…
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 10:54 amThanks so much, Melanie!
Amy says
May 10, 2011 at 9:31 amYour “good enough” sounds perfect to me. Good luck this week. xoxo
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 10:55 amI so appreciate it, my friend.
jodie hoffman says
May 10, 2011 at 9:31 amAnd really though, who’s to say that what we think is “perfect” is actually perfect? Ideas and intentions always seem perfect in our minds but the post-execution reality – who knows?!
I’m totally team “good enough” (as is my sanity) ;)!
Hope you’re feeling well! Did you ever get a new car, btw? Or are you bungee cording all the kiddos in the backseat for a while? 😉
xxoo
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 10:56 amNew car? Nah. Big’s always had a thing for convertibles, so we’re going to strap him to the top. No surprise, we can’t seem to make a decision (or get out to test drive, for that matter). I got our Explorer washed…good enough!
jodie hoffman says
May 10, 2011 at 2:53 pmhey – Europeans have more than 2 kids and they don’t go around in huge minivans, SUVs, etc … so just say you’re doing it European-style!!! 😉 The clean part is just icing on the cake!!
April says
May 10, 2011 at 11:29 amLove the way you put this post together. Dare I say, it’s perfect!
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 12:07 pmHa! Well, maybe the “new perfect”. Thanks, April!
Vrushali says
May 10, 2011 at 11:31 amyou guys are awesome parents and i think perfection lies in the eyes of the beholder ..perfect for one might never be perfect enough for the other… That which is good enough from a loving parent is what matters ! 🙂 All the best..
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 12:09 pmIt’s so true — perfect is in the eye of the beholder. And this book does a great job of helping crazy perfectionists like me focus on that. Thanks for the good thoughts!
Emily says
May 10, 2011 at 12:01 pmSounds like you have had one of those experiences that the authors talk about in the book when you are forced to accept “good enough.” Bed rest is so difficult when you have two boys running around! Those are the times that we remember what really matters.
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 8:56 pmYou’re right. I was definitely put in my place and reminded of what matters most. Sometimes a little forced R&R isn’t such a bad thing!
linda says
May 10, 2011 at 7:16 pmWe can’t wait to meet this little girl, and I know that she will be perfect in every sense of the word!
Always here for whatever you need!
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 10, 2011 at 8:57 pmThanks so much, Linda!
Melinda says
May 10, 2011 at 10:15 pmGood enough is usually perfect in the eyes of your children.
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 11, 2011 at 11:21 amSo true, Melinda. This book is great because it talks about finding your own fulfillment and happiness too…however that might be done (working, staying home, etc.). It’s about pleasing everyone in the family so you’re all happy and fulfilled. Really great, thought-provoking stuff.
Tina says
May 10, 2011 at 10:33 pmWonderfully written. As a mom to three children, I have to say that THAT is a perfect size family. Not that 4 or 6 + isn’t perfect but I know that number well. You will love it. Loved your post and I loom forward to hearing about how things settle in the new penta-family!
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 11, 2011 at 11:22 amThanks for the encouragement, Tina. Five is starting to sound a bit overwhelming, but I can tell how much you enjoy it and I know we will too!
Lisa says
May 11, 2011 at 3:42 pmLove this post – And am in the same exact situation at 38 weeks pregnant. The grand, perfect plans I had are all being brought down to reality. At least you have clean sheets on the bassinet! I still have to pull my bassinet out of storage! As well as the swing, bouncy chair, infant clothes, blankets… Man, I’m in trouble.
Good luck! I’ll be thinking of you!
Amy, Using Our Words says
May 12, 2011 at 11:34 amOh Lisa, the bassinet is the ONLY thing we have ready. All that other stuff is in our attic (I hope!). What a difference from baby #1, right?
Sending you happy, healthy baby thoughts!