A message to all the non-blogging mommies out there

A message to all the non-blogging mommies out there

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SALT LAKE CITY — Today, another one of my talented friends started a blog; a place she could share her creative ideas with the world — and, lucky world.

This friend is the kind of woman we all aspire to be: vibrant, stylish and downright darling. Her home also matches that description.

This woman is an engaged mother, who loves to cook, and can throw a themed birthday party that would rival Martha Stewart herself. So, this new blog only makes sense. (After all, if you have a creative eye, baking skills or any sort of fashion sense, you should absolutely have a blog too.)

A blog seems to be our generation's greatest stage: a natural place to showcase your talents. But as I looked over my friend's shiny new site, I started to feel unsettled.

In this day and age of blogs, Pinterest and Instagram, it's starting to feel like something isn't anything unless everyone sees it. I guarantee my friend has been told many times she should "start a blog." Did she feel a personal pull toward the idea of sharing her accomplishments — ir a pressure to do so?

Social media has provided an amazing opportunity for us to share our interests and passions with those we know and those we don't. It's easy to take pride in the pay back: the number of likes you get, the feeling of validation that comes with each and every comment, and the satisfaction of knowing you are "somebody" online.


I worry a lot of women feel like they need that kind of praise and recognition for their efforts to really count, that somehow the "oohs" and "aahs" of others matter more than the sheer appreciation of the people we're doing it all for.

I worry a lot of women feel like they need that kind of praise and recognition for their efforts to really count, that somehow the "oohs" and "aahs" of others matter more than the sheer appreciation of the people we're doing it all for.

It's a trap we all fall into — myself included; and like with so many things in life, somehow I think our moms had this figured out all along.

When I think of my mother's generation, I think of women who appreciated a beautiful, well-decorated home — but they didn't necessarily feel the need to show it off to strangers.

When I think of my mother's generation, I think of women who took pride in putting a delicious dinner on the table — but they weren't focused on taking a picture before taking a bite.

When I think of my mother's generation, I think of women who found pure joy in preparing a craft for their kids to complete on a weekday afternoon — but they weren't worried about typing out a tutorial.

Let me be perfectly clear: I'm so glad women choose to share their talents, passions and creative energy online for the rest of us to enjoy. I learn from these women, and look up to them.

To those of you who are doing the exact same thing, but aren't blogging about it: I look up to you too.

I'm a lover of children's books and the life lessons they teach us at every age. One of my favorite reads is "Hip, Hip, Hooray for Annie McRae" by Brad Wilcox. The book is about a spunky, red-haired little girl named Annie. Every time someone praises or compliments Annie, it lifts her up and puts a skip in step.

One day, not a single person recognizes her good deeds. Annie's heart sinks, and her spirits fall low, until suddenly she realizes she can be her own cheerleader. "Hip, hip, hooray for Annie McRae!" she thinks to herself.

That lone little phrase turns Annie's day right around. She feels happy, validated and accomplished. All feelings she brought on herself.

This message is not to the bloggers. It's to the rest of us women who are doing wonderful, creative things in the quiet comfort of our own homes. Just because you aren't "sharing," doesn't mean you aren't "doing."

And remember this: At the end of the day, no comment on a computer will mean more than a smile on the face in front of us.

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Brooke Walker

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