In a world that often glorifies perfection, while at the same time pushing us to embrace our “hot messiness”, simply embracing progress and the pursuit of such can seem like a revolutionary act. Especially for stay-at-home moms. We’re constantly navigating the challenging terrain of homemaking and wellness. As a beginner homesteader on a quest for holistic health, I’m coming to realize that the journey to wellness is not about achieving flawless outcomes or aesthetics. It’s about celebrating the small steps along the way.
The Pursuit of Perfection: A Trap for Homemakers
As a stay-at-home mom, the pressure to create a picture perfect home and family can feel overwhelming. From immaculately clean and aesthetic houses to gourmet meals and tidy, well-behaved children, societal expectations set an unrealistic standard that are near impossible to attain. That’s why so many 50’s housewives used drugs packaged as “mother’s little helpers”- they were seeking a standard of perfection that was simply not realistic. Similarly, the wellness industry and Hollywood constantly bombard us with images of flawless bodies, diets, surgically enhanced faces, as well as lifestyles that fuel the belief that perfection is the only path to happiness and fulfillment.
The Hot Mess Mom: A crutch for underachieving
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have, in recent years, embraced the “Hot Mess”. In an attempt to be “relateable”, and in an attempt to curb the pressures of perfectionism, aspects of Mom culture have completely gone off the rails and veered too far into the opposite direction. As a recovering Hot Mess Mom, I think this has been to our utter detriment. It has only allowed us to lean into mediocrity, or worse, in motherhood and homemaking. Our homes are absurdly disorganized, our kids are behind in school as a collective, we’re simply not thriving. We’re surviving, and just barely. Just as a homemaker cannot sustain a pursuit of perfection, she cannot thrive in neglecting to push herself to be better.
Embracing Imperfection: The Power of Progress
However, through my journey as a beginner homesteader, I’m learning to embrace imperfection (while still striving for progress) as an essential part of the process. Whether it’s planting my first garden or learning to make homemade remedies, each small step forward is a victory within itself. Instead of striving for perfection, I’m focusing on making progress in areas that matter most to me and my family’s well being. And yes, sometimes this means sacrificing another area. Sometimes that’s a temporary sacrifice. But sometimes it’s a permanent one. Only you can determine what areas you need to focus on and which are fine to cut.
Cultivating Resilience Through Homesteading
Homesteading (although, honestly, I feel like we’re barely doing it yet) has already been a transformative experience that has taught me valuable lessons, resilience, and adaptability. From dealing with failed crops to learning how to live more sustainably, every challenge has been an opportunity for growth. By embracing the imperfections inherent in homesteading, I’ve cultivated a deeper skill of resilience that goes beyond my garden into other aspects of my life.
Finding Balance in Wellness
On my wellness journey, I’ve come to realize that true health is about finding balance rather than striving for perfection. Instead of following restrictive diets, I focus on nourishing my body with wholesome foods and engaging in activities that bring me joy. I need to improve my exercise routine, but that’s currently on the back burner as I care for a newborn and two older kiddos. I’m working on moving my body more, but am letting myself be OK with not doing as much as I’d like to be right now. By prioritizing self-care (real self care, not over-indulgence or consumerism masquerading as such) and listening to my body’s needs, I’ve found what I hope to be a sustainable approach to wellness that honors both my physical and emotional well-being. It’s not a perfect approach, but it’s progress. Every. Day.
Celebrating Progress, Not Perfection
As a stay-at-home mom and beginner homesteader, I’ve learned that progress is far more valuable than perfection. By embracing the journey and celebrating each small step forward, I’ve discovered a newfound sense of empowerment and fulfillment. Whether it’s cultivating a thriving garden or nurturing a happy and healthy family, the pursuit of progress allows me to savor the beauty of imperfection and find joy in the journey itself. I’m learning that small steps each day is the ticket to cultivating a clean and inviting home. Striving to do something each day that cannot be undone easily is a better goal than the arbitrary desire to have a “clean house”.
Conclusion
In a society that often demands perfection, embracing progress is a radical act of self-love and acceptance. As a stay-at-home mom and beginner homesteader on a wellness journey, I’ve learned to prioritize progress over perfection in every aspect of my life. This does not mean that I’m allowing myself to lean into the “hot mess”, but it does mean celebrating the small victories and embracing the beauty of imperfection. Through this, I’ve found true fulfillment and happiness in the journey towards holistic health, homemaking, and homesteading.