It’s so easy these days to hide behind a computer screen and put our best foot (and face and family) forward. We can airbrush our features and leave out messy details as we post on our favorite social media platforms. I have been contemplating lately on how easy it is for me to hide what I don’t want the world to see. Everyone is so cute, and witty, and clever. Sharing real life glimpses makes me feel vulnerable, fearful that I won’t be acceptable. This makes it harder to build deeper friendships. It means I’m missing out, and so are my friends and my family. It tells me I’m not embracing who God made me to be.
I’m stepping out this month, writing a little each day, to share an I.R.L. (in real life) glimpse into my day. Maybe a struggle or a thought. Maybe a victory or a revelation. Random posts from my own “in real life”. It may not be pretty, it could be boring, I doubt it’ll make anyone’s newsfeed on facebook, but it’ll be me. The real and the true. Maybe someone will be able to relate, maybe someone will be encouraged. You’ll get to know me a little better, I’ll get to know me a little better. Join me in the comments on each post this month and we will all get to know one another better!
This is Day 1. Today’s I.R.L. tidbit is the fact that this post was difficult to write. Embarrassing, actually. You see, I’ve taken this challenge before. And did not see it through to the end. Not once, but twice. And if I say publicly that I’ll take this challenge, and then peter out halfway through again – will I have failed? OK, let’s not think about that (cue Scarlet O’Hara: “I’ll think about it tomorrow. . . After all, tomorrow is another day!”)
I do love the opportunity I have here for writing and sharing and learning and growing. But I have given in to the pressure (which I admit I’ve put on myself) to do it in a certain way or give it a certain look. And I fall short, and I give up. So this month I’m just going to be real, and random, and here. For you, for me. Let’s share a cup of our favorite hot beverage, a smile, a story from real life. I’m looking forward to visiting, all month long!
Day 1 – This Post!
Day 2 – I.R.L. Today Was Shopping Day
Day 3 – I.R.L. Are My Younger Children Missing Out?
Day 4 – I.R.L. Relax, Recharge, Restore on This Lord’s Day
Day 5 – I.R.L. I Want to be a ‘Yes’ Mom
Day 6 – I.R.L. There’s No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk
Day 7 – I.R.L. The Rule of One
Day 8 – {Hearts for Home Blog Hop}
Day 9 – I.R.L. Saying Good-Bye is So Very Hard
Day 10- I.R.L. We Store Dirty Socks on the Front Porch
Day 11 – I.R.L. How To Recognize When Your Son is “Twitterpated”
Day 12 – I.R.L. Someone Had Better Do The Dishes!
Day 13 – I.R.L. Let Your Thank You Be Enough
Day 14 – I.R.L. When Life is Overwhelming Just Do the Next Thing
Day 15 – I.R.L. Let Them Eat (and Decorate) Cake!
Day 16 – I.R.L. Another Hearts for Home Blog Hop
Day 17, 18 & 19 – I.R.L. Savor the Moments
Day 20 – I.R.L. The Family Vehicle is a Mess But My Junk Drawer is Neat and Orderly
Day 21 – I.R.L. Lunch With a Friend is Good Therapy
Day 22 – Hearts for Home Blog Hop (because I.R.L. we party every Thursday!)
Day 23 – I.R.L. Pumpkin Spice Whatever
Day 24 – I.R.L. One Step Forward Two Steps Back
Day 25 – I.R.L. Planning for Christmas {Week 1}
Day 26
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30
Day 31
{I’m participating in the 31 Days Challenge along with hundreds of other bloggers (you’ll find me in the Family Life section) and I’ll be sharing this post at some of these wonderful places as well}
Even if you only go a few days you will have succeeded! Life happens! I will be looking forward to your posts! I’m not posting everyday because I know I would feel too much pressure but I’m working on doing a series for the the next several weeks on Photo Organization that will be challenging for me!
You are exactly right, Kim – life happens, and that’s what I’ll be writing about. Just life, and hopefully a little about the lessons I’m learning along the way.
Your Photo series sound wonderful! looking forward to it – you always inspire me 🙂
Ready to see IRL – cause really, it’s all real! Onward for 31 days!
ha ha, you are right, Bridget! thanks for spurring me on 😀 I wish the same for you!
I spend so much of my time behind the computer screen. I know God is calling me out to live my real life with passion and purpose. Looking forward to following along.
yes, Barbie, let’s live life! This life God’s given us, living it is our calling. I want to embrace all the moments I can, and this old computer screen really isn’t very huggable, is it? Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment – this 31 days ride is going to be fun and inspirational. Blessings to you this week!
I have written a series for four years in a row…but not this year. I kind of miss it, but life is a little crazy right now so I gave myself a break.
I am looking forward to visiting your “real life” every day this month!
No wonder I couldn’t find your button, Cheryl. I will just have to revisit your past 31 Days series! I understand how crazy life can be, and taking a break is sometime the very best thing. I always love visits with you. Thank you for stopping by.
Hey Linda,
I came over today on Titus 2, and I’m glad to find your site.
I was just thinking the other day about the need to take my online – offline, and connect more with people face to face.
What a way to spend your month. I liked your post so much that I pinned it here: https://www.pinterest.com/melredd/blog-link-parties-and-blog-link-ups/
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Linda,
You are so brave for taking on this challenge and being so transparent. I’m also undertaking the #Write31Days challenge too and it is tough! Hang in there. You can do it!
Brave, or crazy? not sure which!
Nice to meet another fellow 31 Dayer 🙂 It’s a fun and challenging adventure, isn’t it? Good luck to you, and let’s do this! Blessings to you as we write, all month long.