On Owning Your Stuff… & Link-Up
Blue Lace Dress: Sears c/o (old, similar here, here, here) | Kimono: Altar’d State (similar) | Booties: Target | Bag: Target (similar) | Earrings: Nickel and Suede c/o | Necklace: 9th and Elm c/o | Watch: Vierra Watches c/o (Use code BEINGMOLLY for 10% off) | Cuff: Your Words Cuffs c/o (Use code MOLLY for 10% off)
You probably read the title and are thinking I’m talking about material things “stuff.” You would be incorrect. The “stuff” I’m so lovingly? referring to is YOU… and all that comes with you. You know, your “stuff.” Not the stuff that everyone sees, but the stuff that really makes you, you. The stuff that is deep within you.
The stuff that gets you up in the morning. The stuff that drives you. The stuff that you’re dealing with. The stuff that you’re trying to hide. The stuff that consumes your every being.
The stuff that your closest confidants may not even know.
Yep, your “stuff” within this context can be both good and bad. The thing is, sometimes even identifying our “stuff” is the hardest part.
I’ve been really doing a lot of self-inventory lately (I know, I feel like I’m talking about it ad nauseum) and last week I sort of hit a place where I realized that some of my “stuff” I don’t particularly like. 
It’s not that it’s awful or detrimental to society or anything like that… the fact is, that sometimes figuring out what is really beneath the layers and layers of soul, skin, and organs is stuff that we are often ashamed to admit about ourselves.
Maybe it’s a way we honestly and truly view ourselves.
Maybe it’s a way we view others.
Maybe it’s a way we view our career.
Maybe it’s what we really think when we look in the mirror.
Maybe it’s how conscious we are, or how much emphasis we put on other’s opinions of us.
Whatever it is, I think the biggest, and often most important step, is taking the opportunity to identify it. Say it out loud. Say what you think and what you believe. Verbalize it.
That’s the first step towards moving on from it. Healing from it. Putting it behind us.
It can be really hard in the blogging world to not want to compare our lives to everyone else’s life highlights. Yep, for the most part, social media and blogs are filled with the highlights – the good stuff – the fluff. And that’s OKAY.
But the fact is, we cannot let other’s highlights make us feel as though we aren’t worthy. They cannot make us lose sleep at night because we aren’t “good enough.”
Whatever it is, we have to realize that everyone… no, seriously, everyone is dealing with something. Even someone with the most “perfect” life is struggling somewhere within themselves. It’s just a fact of life. It’s a fact of our imperfect human nature.
But, I think that the sooner we are able to look within ourselves, take inventory, and move on from our “stuff” is the sooner we are able to be proud of who we are, be proud of who God made and be able to shout it from the rooftops: “Yes, this is who I am and I am dang proud of it!”
Welcome to Let it Shine…..the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years….we decided to rename our link up to something we felt would be a better fit. Thus, Let it Shine! Why the name? Because we want this link up to be just that…..your chance to let it shine. We’ll be sharing our favs here each week and on social media…….
/ Color / Spring Must Haves /
Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! So, go ahead…..and Let it Shine!
Love that kimono! You look amazing in that blue! xo Andrea
Boho Bunnie
I really loved this post! You said it all perfectly. PS you look fabulous in cobalt!
You look amazing in that blue dress! It’s definitely your color!
Darlene
http://whosaprettygirl.com
You look fabulous in royal blue! Thank you for hosting 🙂 Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose fashion blog – Valeria Arizzi
How true. So many famous blogs showcase PYTs in picture perfect conditions that it takes every ounce of self-love in me to not just dig a hole and hide therein. I’m neither built like a walking hanger nor am I in my 20s and I’m learning to be alright with that. Thank you for sharing this, for giving me a gentle reminder that working with what I have is the start of the process.
This is such a beautiful outfit! You look SO GOOD in royal blue. 🙂
Love this bag paired with your stunning dress! Stop by my Wednesday link up (still live) if you get a chance.
http://www.sydneyfashionhunter.com/
Sometimes reading your blog is like my own personal therapy, and I’m not even mad about it! Thanks for always being so on point with everything!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
You look absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you for this wonderful linkup and your wise words XO
#LINKUPWITHLISA @ http://www.beauty101bylisa.com/2015/04/linkupwithlisa-11-easter-sunday.html
I am obsessed with this outfit! I especially love the kimono. Have a great week 🙂
I LOVE this outfit- you pull off the kimono SO well!
Hi Molly! That dress is so pretty! Thank you for the feature and everything you talk about. Life is tough right? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lulu
simplylulustyle.com
You are so right. We all have stuff we’re dealing with and going through and owning it is so important. Thanks for sharing this post, Molly. Love your outfit by the way!
~Whitney
http://www.whitneynicjames.com
Oh wow! Thank you for sharing… I love blogging but sometimes it makes me feel like I don’t have the best house, clothes and family. It’s the fluff that gets me sometimes but I can’t let it ruin my life and make me loose my joy! Thank you for inspiration
Happy Medley Blog
Wow Molly!! Thank you for writing this! There are so many times I look at other women and think “Wow they have it all”. Appearances can be very deceiving! I just have to remember with my own crap that others have some to.
xo, Lee
I think introspection is necessary for a person to grow. I don’t think we do enough of it. Thanks for your honesty and you’re right, we all go thru things no matter how ‘perfect’ our lives look on social media. I love blue so I’m swooning over this whole outfit. You look great! ~Cynthia
Wise wise words! I’ve been seeing a great therapist for awhile and I have realized how much the “stuff” I’ve been carrying around for years has effected me in more ways than I knew! It makes such a difference to let it go and embrace the new good stuff that replaces it!
Thank you for your inspiring post, your inspiring kimono and hosting Let It Shine.
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Love this post, I so needed to hear this! Thank you!!
I find the older I get, the easier it is to own my stuff and the more comfortable I am with admitting how far from perfect I am. If you are a reader, I highly recommend Ragamuffin Gospel. It was really influential for me. I also just finished Donald Miller’s new book, Scary Close. Both talk a lot about this same thing. I do think blogging makes it harder though. It’s easy to compare, especially fashion and appearance wise.
Amy Ann
The Real Arnolds
Happy Easter – love this inspiring post! Don’t forget to join the giveaway I am hosting this week until April 12!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
I always find your posts to be so inspirational, and even when they contain some “fluff” still find them to be of value. Thank you for posting about reality!
Alyssa
glitterandgrey.wordpress.com
I often read other blogs and find myself comparing my own stuff to others. As I get older and am raising a teen daughter I realize that it is so important that I learn to love myself as God created me. It is a work in progress. I will never be one of those young beautiful bloggers, but I have a lot to offer as well. There is a place for all of us here. Thanks for the reminder! Susan
I agree with everything you’re saying here. I’ve been doing some soul reflecting as well. Sometimes it’s so much easier to post all the good stuff and none of the tough stuff that you’re really going to through. I always fall victim to comparing myself to other gals based on what I see on instagram or their blogs. I try to remember that we’re all posting the fluffy good stuff, but sometimes it’s hard. Thanks for sharing your stuff – good or bad! 🙂
xoxo,
Nikki at http://www.bedazzlesafterdark.com
Lol! It seems like all women have this problem that we don’t truly love ourselves. When I get older it gets better but of course I still struggle with myself quite often. I found comparison is a very bad way to think, even we compare ourselves with when we were young. But I have no answer to how to stop comparison. Still working in it. 😉
I love the bright blue on you! Everything is just perfect for spring!
Grace
http://colorandgrace.com/
I agree with everything you’ve said! I also agree that you can’t compare yourself to those fabulous lives you see on social media. I know I only post the good stuff (nobody wants to hear about my problems on Facebook) so why should I expect anything different from everyone else. Loving your stuff can be hard but it’s so important 🙂
xoxo
Lisa
Thanks so much for sharing this Molly. It couldn’t be more true!
I loved reading this! It’s so important to take a step back, not compare and love your stuff! Your kimono is so pretty!
Jill
Doused
In Pink
Gorgeous shades of blue on you today Molly! Thanks for hosting x
I am struggling with loving my “stuff” at whatever stage my life is. It’s tough but I am trying to. Loving this dress and kimono.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.