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It’s ok that I’m not ok.

jenbshawI am not ok.

There I said it.

Lately, I am just. not. alright.

I realize that usually we are a funny bunch here at Aiming Low but, I just don’t have it in me.  In a perfect world there would be sunshine and rainbows and all kinds of funny spewing from my mouth all the time, on demand.  Good thing we aren’t about perfection here.

As our mission statement clearly states; “Here at Aiming Low we strive for anti-perfection. It’s not about the failure to attain perfection….it’s about understanding that perfection is not only over-rated, it’s a big fat whopping lie-burger with cheese…and fries…and onions.” I’m feeling down in the dumps, scared and tired.

I just feel overwhelmed at everything going on in my life.

My husband has been working out of town (but at least I have a husband who adores me).

Money is so tight right now (but we are way better off than some and clearly we did it to ourselves).

Part of my family is drowning in a family feud (but the other part, wow are they great).

My dad is sick (but he’s still here).

My baby is sick (but he’s here).

The suckiest part (Dear spellcheck: suckiest is too a word!) is that I feel guilty for whining about it at all. Not so long ago I would have pushed all these icky feelings down deep in my stomach and put on a happy face. For a long time I wore a constant mask of “happy put-together and strong”.

Not anymore. My problems may not be the worst ever but they are mine and I struggle with them. I don’t have to hide my ugly feelings or put on a brave face all the time. I know that the rough stuff will only make me more thankful for the good stuff.

So, yeah, today I don’t have much funny in me but that’s ok.

My life isn’t perfect and neither am I.

I am ok with that.

About Jenbshaw

Jen is a stay at home mom who doesn't cook or clean. She has two children, her newborn Chase and her husband Ryan. She has a graphic design degree that she doesn't use. When she isn't talking about herself in the third person she is prowling around her house in her pj's drinking Diet Coke and eating cold cereal. Jen also enjoys nothing more than being on her computer, other than a good trashy romance novel that is.

Comments

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Drinking a diet coke which I can’t really afford at the moment feelin sorry for myself but I am healthier than I was yesterday and the debt will be paid eventually so yay !
    habanerogal´s last blog ..Oral Fixation slapdown My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Babe, this post just touches my heart. Beautiful words and I know what you mean.

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    We all struggle with different things and that’s okay – they’re our struggles. They may not seem as bad as someone else’s struggles but because they’re yours, they’re worse. Hope that you are feeling yourself again soon!
    Megan (mommyesquire)´s last blog ..Vacation My ComLuv Profile

    • Jen
      August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

      I actually wrote/felt most of this last week. Things are looking up this week. The problems are still there but they don’t seem as all-consuming today. Thanks!
      Jen´s last blog ..Family Photos – Finally My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I hope things look up for you soon.

    You’ve said so much here that resonates with everyone, I’m sure. It’s a vicious cycle, thinking this way, then feeling guilty about feeling it…it’s perfectly perfect to be okay with it.

    Did that make sense? And I’ve used the word “suckiest” my self from time to time.
    Karen MEG´s last blog ..Weekly Winners – Aug 9 – 15 My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I could have totally written this. I feel like this a lot of the time, and then I feel guilty that I’m not all thankful and happy and looking at the good side of things. But I just can’t do that all the time. I don’t really know anyone that can. I think sometimes we just have to get down and wallow in our on misery before we can be happy again.

    I guess that doesn’t really make a lot of sense.
    Jennifer´s last blog ..Playing in the rain, Wordless Wednesday My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I think all of us get this- glad you got it out and put that haggy bitch spellcheck in line because “suckiest” is SO a word! Love you- girl- hang in there!
    tena´s last blog ..Exorcism for breakfast, anyone? My ComLuv Profile

  • Maria
    Twitter: mariamelee
    August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Oh lady.

    Those feelings of guilt are the worst.

    Be sad! Be stressed! What else can you be? There’s no way to turn off feelings of being overwhelmed. All you can do is vent.

    No judgment here. But I wish I could give you a hug right now.
    Maria´s last blog ..let us entertain you My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    You will make it through all this! And I believe when you’ve waded through all these difficult situations, you will be much stronger! Keep your head up! Hugs!
    Matt´s last blog ..Blog Hop 8/18/09 Favorite Recipe My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I burst into tears reading this. In a good way. Thank you.

    Also, rage against the spellcheck! I dismiss half of the suggestions. They’re just suggestions. Hee.
    Laurin (@LaurinEvans)´s last blog ..Not Today. I Have A Headache. My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Girl, you have a new baby. Your plate is FULL. If anyone understands it’s the good people who write and read AL. Hang in there!
    IzzyMom´s last blog ..Thanks for Nothing, Big Corporate Robber Barons My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    xoxo, girl.

    Anytime you need to chat, you know where to find me!
    AMomTwoBoys´s last blog ..Birthday Boy My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    It is OK! This post hits close to home today. I needed that.

    Thanks babe!

    XOXO
    AmazingGreis´s last blog ..It hurts… My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Oh, I’ve been riding these sucky waves of not-okayness for a while now. I decided a little while ago to try to be okay with the sucky and just ride it out. I’m so with you!
    Lesley´s last blog ..Out of the Fog My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Sometimes you just don’t feel like being funny. That sucks when you write a humorous blog but your readers totally get it. When I publish something that doesn’t make me laugh I wonder if my readers will abandon me. They won’t.
    Lauren´s last blog ..Open wide! My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    You’re allowed and entitled to feel whatever you want!! And be okay with it!! I feel not okay alot of the time, and it’s okay! I always get over it.
    sarah´s last blog ..Six Months. My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Remember too that you’ve just gone through a major life adjustment not to mention what your body just went through! It takes time to get your mojo back from everything.

    Hugs to you today Jen…
    Amanda´s last blog ..Confessions Of An Firefox Add-On Aficionado My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Suckiest is a word. And, I know how you feel. I don’t feel like I can’t write blogs when I’m down because I have sort of labeled my blog as lighthearted and funny.

    Push on. You will be OK. :)

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I know what you mean about feeling bad when you complain about your problems. But you know what? They ARE your problems. And one all by itself might not be too much to handle, but all of them together sure sound like one hell of a stressful time to me.

    You’ll get through it. Nothing stays the same forever.
    Jaime | Fast Times´s last blog ..…in which the Empire State Building brings me to my knees… My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I think this describes the sentiment of my life lately. I’ve been venting a little about things lately on my blog and my dad told me I was starting to sound like an old biddy. While his words hurt, it made me re-evaluate my perception and see that things aren’t all bad.
    Managed Chaos´s last blog ..Encouraging words My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I think this week is one of those weeks for me.

    I think sometimes just dropping the brave face really is helpful.

    Way to be brave by stopping trying to be :)

    And good luck. Hope things look up for you!
    Kacie´s last blog ..10 Days Until Baby My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Just one more person reading this who TOTALLY gets what you’re saying.

    Big hugs to you, girl. xoxo
    cindy w´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday My ComLuv Profile

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    In my book? This makes you totally OK.

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I think everyone feels like that sometimes–and you are right, they don’t have to be the biggest problems in the world to count–they are your problems and that makes them matter

    Hang in there

  • August 19, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I love you, Jen. Your words hit home. We have no right to judge the problems others feel, as well all struggle with out own shit on a daily basis.
    BarefootFoodie´s last blog ..I’m huge in China…literally. My ComLuv Profile

  • August 20, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    This is a great post with a great point.
    I sometimes feel guilty about complaining about my problems when I think of my friend who’s baby has cancer, or The Spohrs, or all of the other people whose problems are so much larger than mine. But at the same time, when life is kicking your ass, it’s hard not to struggle with it all.
    I hope things improve for you.

  • August 20, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Hey, it’s all relative, isn’t it? Someone else might find some of the things I struggle with to be silly, and learning not to care about how they interpret my feelings is quite a task some days. Hang in there, Jen, you’re a great mom and have every right to talk about your feelings!
    Assertagirl´s last blog ..Christmas in August. My ComLuv Profile

  • Kay
    August 20, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    Just because there are others that are worse off doesn’t make what’s on YOUR plate any easier to deal with.
    It doesn’t seem like you’re asking for a perfect life or bitching about nothing – there’s just SO much, that once it’s all added up… it’s drowning you.
    I think the typical advice is to be proactive, etc… but I say cut yourself some slack, you have a lot going on. For right now, don’t push too much – do what’s necessary and let the rest slide.
    It always gets better.. or so I’m told.
    Kay´s last blog ..My Sister, My Friend… My ComLuv Profile

  • August 20, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    I think all of us can write something like this; I know I could.

    Hold tight and be patient. These things in life, I have found, are cyclical. The cheesy, “This too shall pass,” actually holds validity.

    You got your AL Bitches to help you. You know that!
    Secret Agent Mama´s last blog ..Meet Mishelle My ComLuv Profile

  • Dea
    August 21, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    We women are FAR too hard on ourselves. We expect too much – too many smile-through-the-tough-stuff times. Forget it – you have to let it out, or it will eat away your soul.
    Dea´s last blog ..Nothing Worthwhile is Ever Easy My ComLuv Profile

  • August 21, 2009 | Permalink | Reply

    This post is being featured on Five Star Friday –
    http://www.fivestarfriday.com/2009/08/five-star-fridays-edition-67.html

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