Do you ever catch yourself saying something and immediately think, “Why in the world did I just say that”? Me too. Every day. The biggest struggle I’ve come across lately is apologizing for things I shouldn’t have to or need to apologize for, such as: “Sorry my house is such a mess,” or “Sorry there are toys all over the place,” or “Sorry I am crying or being emotional for no apparent reason,” and my personal favorite “Sorry I look like a hot mess.”
Why am I constantly apologizing about my house being messy when people come over? This is especially hard for me to understand since I usually spend the whole day before or day of making sure it is clean for guests. Is my home always super clean? No. Are there dishes in the sink? Usually. Do I have 100 loads of laundry to do? Probably. Would I rather be spending time with my kids than cleaning? Absolutely. I have three young children.
Time goes by way too fast for me to sacrifice time with my kids to keep my house looking pristine. The dishes and laundry will always be there.
I get caught up in my emotions pretty easily, which is probably why “I’m sorry” comes to me so easily. A memory could pass through my mind and all of a sudden, I’m crying. And sometimes I get so overrun with joy that the tears just start flowing. Why should anyone have to apologize for that? Women, especially moms, have a lot of hormones coursing through their bodies. Sometimes we can’t help the overwhelming emotions that come to us at the drop of a hat. There’s no reason we should apologize for the emotions we are entitled to feel.
“I’m a hot mess” has become my mantra since becoming a mom. Who has time with young children wreaking havoc? As I said above, I don’t have time to clean every inch of my home, let alone do my hair and makeup everyday. And honestly, who cares if I look put together with my hair done and makeup on or if I look like I’ve been hit by a bus? Again, there is no reason anyone should apologize for looking like their natural, beautiful self.
I am a tired and busy mom of three. I probably don’t do enough self-care, my hair is almost always pulled up, I hardly ever do my makeup anymore, I don’t spend the whole day cleaning my house, and half the time I’m not even sure what day it is. Someday I know I will be able to put more of an effort into my home and into myself, but right now isn’t that time. This is the time for snuggles, laughs, dirt, and tea parties. This is the time to be confident and strong, not sorry or embarrassed. This is the time to enjoy my sweet babies because they won’t be little forever.
Never apologize for being real and for being you.
