During my recent trip to Haiti, I did a lot of talking about Just.Be.Enough. I explained what JBE is about, and the more I did, the more I thought about why I love this community so very much. One of the best parts about Just.Be.Enough. is that women are coming together, sharing their voices, empowering one another and themselves. Women are emailing asking to share their voice as guests, others are linking up weekly to share their stories with Be Enough Me. It is a powerful thing that is happening, and it is all because of people—like this week’s guest poster—offering up their stories for the good of the group.
Amy is not a real princess who blogs about life, family and autism. And today she is here, sharing her story.
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Why can’t I be enough?
I feel inadequate. I feel defeated. Pills, therapy, exercise, just can’t and don’t fix me. I hurt my husband with my constant failures as a wife. I hurt my children by not being strong for them and not giving them everything they need. I hurt myself daily with negative thinking and self loathing. I want to throw up my hand and give up. My family deserves better.
“Enough is enough,” I tell myself.
Stop the self-loathing. Stop the pity-party. My family doesn’t expect perfection. My family doesn’t need perfection. They just want me.
Enough with the idealization of what I need to be. Enough with the fears of failure. Enough with the should’ve, would’ve and could’ve.
To “Just Be Enough,” I need to accept what my enough is. Accept me. All of me.
My depression and inadequacies don’t define me. I define me.
I am a wife of 13 years.
I am a mother to two amazing boys that are so much more than their diagnoses.
I am a nurse.
I am a blogger.
I am an advocate for my children.
I am a friend.
I am a reader.
I am a runner.
I am a daughter.
I am a sister.
I am an aunt.
I am a fighter.
I am me.
When I start to question my “enough,” I remind myself I am so much more than I realized. I don’t need to strive to be more, because who I am seems pretty amazing.
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You can follower Amy on Twitter at @LLA_Princess.
About Elena
The expectations we put on ourselves are so high, and I’m glad you’re deciding to be all of the wonderful things you are without focusing on the negative things.
That’s so true. thanks you so much for your kind words
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
Ah negative self-talk . . . a poison that seeps in slowly until is makes us question everything. I think that you are amazing. You are strong . . . you are funny . . . you are the best thing that ever happened for your kids . . . you are human though so that means that you will never be perfect . . . but then again what is perfection . . . you are truly enough!
Jenn@Fox in the City recently posted..Heavy
Oh mama thank you! You know I love you!
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
Often times, we put so much pressure on ourselves – striving for perfection. And we are our own worst critics. I love your list – put it up someplace where you can see it. Put it in your wallet. Sometimes, its nice to have these reminders with us.
You are more than enough!
I SO LOVE THIS IDEA! I am printing it out. I think we all need a visual reminder of how ENOUGH we really are
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
I appreciate the honesty reverberated throughout the post. The final conclusion that you are enough is the post important part. What’s beautiful is that the honesty was felt there too. Really understanding that you are amazing, just as you are. Brilliant!
Lydia @ See Beautiful recently posted..Pay It Forward Freebie: See Beautiful Bookmarks
Thank you so much. Putting yourself out there is hard, but so therapeutic
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
So, so true. We just need to accept ourselves as we are and appreciate who we are. Thanks for the reminder.
You are enough and from what I’ve just read about you, you seem to be pretty amazing. There are several things on that list of who you are that causes me to admire you already. Kudos to being who you are and loving it.
Melanie recently posted..Best Birthday Scoop Ever…
Thank you so much! I have to constantly keep reminding myself I am Enough daily
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
You are MORE than enough, and you are beautiful. Your piece got me all choked up, because I think we all need to remind ourselves of this from time to time. Thank you for sharing. xo
michelle @ this little light recently posted..Cleanin’ House : A Whatchoo-Wish-You-Were-Wearin’ Wednesday Post
Aww thanks so much. It makes me feel so much better to share with others, and what an amazing bunch of people bloggers are. So supportive and kind
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
Lovely, powerful words!
Thanks so much.
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
I LOVE YOU.
I know you’re wonderful. Just like you always tell me. That doesn’t mean I believe you, though, and I don’t expect you to believe me, either. But it’s true…..
xoxoxoxoxo
jillsmo recently posted..TGIF, bitches! Also, though? A story scaffold
Let us not even go there. I LOVE YOU FOREVER. YOU ARE ENOUGH TOO
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
I <3 this post Amy — you can't expect to be everything to everyone, despite any internal longing to be just that.
And, no matter what your situation, you have to love and accept yourself, first . . . it looks like you're on your way to doing just that
John recently posted..Where bad turns to worse
I’ve been there too. So glad you’re focusing on the good things.
Robin Farr recently posted..A Successful Ski Trip
Just keep telling yourself you ARE enough. And believe it.
Just Jennifer recently posted..January’s Best
Thank you!! and SO ARE YOU
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
It’s so easy to get caught up in the things you are “NOT” sometimes. But it’s important to remember the things you ARE. I love that list you put together. It makes me feel inspired to make one of my own.
Missy | Literal Mom recently posted..Expert Advice on Long Term Marital Bliss
I am printing it out and putting it somewhere to remind me daily. I think we all need that visual reminder, you should too!
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
This is right on. And the biggest problem is that it is too easy to be negative about ourselves, no matter how positive we are as people. I’m so glad you’ve discovered reasons that you are enough, and I hope you continue to do this every day. For me it is an every day process. I love your reasons, too. Thank you!
The Drama Mama recently posted..To Be or Not To Be Enough…Mom
It totally is a daily process. But just like anything else, one day at a time, right
Thanks so much for commenting and for the supportive words 
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..
Life gets overwhelming sometimes, and when it does, we’re swamped with feelings of failure and insecurities. What I love about JBE is that it reminds us to focus on how ‘enough’ we really are instead of the negatives. It’s surprisingly hard to train ourselves in terms of being enough instead of lacking, but when we do so, it’s extremely powerful and empowering.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Amy. You ARE pretty amazing!
Sweaty recently posted..Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire…
So said it perfectly. I love what blogs like this can give to me and so many others. Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words
Amy D (@LLA_Princess) recently posted..I am over at Just. Be. Enough. Today……..