So much has happened since we last had a ‘heart-to-heart’ I don’t know where to begin. Well, for starters I’ve become BFF’s with this Leonard St Deer jumper. It’s the perfect combination of sports chic and animal geek! I recall seeing designer Amanda McCarthy’s sketches of the adorable deer on the Leonard St Facebook page and falling in love with those long bambi lashes.
Speaking of Amanda, she’s one of the sweetest people I know. With three hugely popular stores (High St Northcote, Gertrude St and Flinders Lane) and a brand new boutique that just opened on Chapel St Windsor, Leonard St is growing from strength to strength. It is fast garnering an international fan base too. But what impresses me the most about Amanda is how she balances her fashion label with her family life. She is so inspiring not just because she’s an established designer but because she is a working mother.
Speaking about being a working mother, I recently had another epiphany…
Somehow, lately, I convinced myself that “my worth is measured by what I do”. And since I’m not working as much as before baby, I’ve erroneously been equating my worth to how much I earn. This flawed thinking has opened a whole can of worms. It’s been niggling at my subconscious, silencing the voices of gratitude whilst allowing insecurities to creep in. No wonder I was constantly reaching for the cookie jar/cake stand/chocolate stash. I started to resent motherhood, I felt annoyed that I had to give up so much for a little human being but then felt guilty when I saw his heart-warming smile…my heart was tormented .But thankfully, God heard my cry.
He reminded me that I am precious in His sight, He even sent His Son to die for an ingrate like me! So our worth is not determined by what we do, but by who we are. Take royalty for example, they don’t have to do much to prove who they are. They are treated like royalty because they are royalty. They are born royalty. But the good news is that we can be “born again” royalty in God’s family :) Let me give you another illustration. When we fall in love with someone, is it because of what they do, or because of who they are?
Once I realized this, my internal struggles evaporated, my outlook changed, I felt liberated and empowered.
Especially the privilege of being a mother… recently I had the pleasure of meeting one half of the designers of Chorus, Louise, who is also a working mom! Chorus created these comfy and luxurious silk culottes for ladies that lounge :)
Leonard St Jumper / Chorus Maai Culottes / vintage Chanel Bag, vintage necklace & watch / Vionnet Heels
I feel privileged to wear this outfit designed by working moms and moms who know their worth.
I wonder what are you going through right now? What negative thoughts are clouding your head space? Is your current situation preventing you from working/earning/doing what you’d like? This may change sooner than you think.
Remember, our worth is not determined by what we do, but by who we are. As a L’Oreal advertisement would say, “because you’re worth it“. Don’t ever let anyone, including yourself, tell you otherwise. You are worth it. In fact, King Solomon even said that we are “worth far more than rubies” in God’s eyes. Now that’s precious!
What a great blog Cecylia, and how refreshing to hear about the daily struggle of being a human and managing one’s own internal dialogue. Thankyou for sharing with us. You are a wonderful Mum and excel at all the roles you play … but more than your just roles, you are a wonderful PERSON. xxo
Motherhood is crazy! There’s all kinds of emotions and such a steep learning curve! I think we are growing and changing as fast as the little ones sometimes, just internally and not so obviously externally. You are doing great with the change, you are a wonderful person and mother, and you’re super stylish too! :) It’s good we have God there always to fall back on when we are struggling – no matter if it’s struggling with lack of sleep, questions about how to do things, or how to balance things….we are always loved.
That jumper is all kinds of cuteness too btw! :)
You wear colour so well lovely. xx
Thanks for sharing this! It’s a good reminder. I’m a stay at home mum at the moment, and while intellectually, I know that I am contributing a lot to the world, or at least my immediate family’s world, it’s hard to reconcile that with a society that pretty much shouts that your worth is measured by how much money you make.
There is so much value to looking after the people you love, and so much value to just being you.
Thank you again for your inspiring blog, and for linking to Isaiah 43:4–such a beautiful verse.
Thank you Wendy. Indeed, the world is very good at trying to define our worth by telling us that it is directly in proportion to what we do, how much we earn, or what we have, but if you think about the poor in Africa, for example, are they worth less because they have less?
I’ve learnt to be more grateful for everything I have, even the sleepless nights and the food fights, they are all part of the privilege of being a mom and raising another human being.
You go girl! We are so blessed with our families.
I’m so proud of you for everything you are CC. A beautiful friend, wife, mother and human being. Don’t ever lose sight of that, and thank you for sharing your journey! xoxo
Stunning outfit girl! :)
Isa M., Tic Tac Living
Very cute top!
What great prospective! We all have our battles and thoughts and it’s great to know we not alone.
Love the post and love your look. The colour of the culotts is rad!
x Kirsty
Thanks Kirsty. Yeah those culottes are something aren’t they? Indeed, we all have our ups and downs in life. I hope that this post has encouraged some along the way, and hopefully they don’t have to get into the same mindset I got into. xx
Great write up Cecylia x
I appreciate how much sincerity has gone into this post which must have been so hard for you to write. Well done!!
PS I would argue that just because motherhood is unpaid doesn’t mean you haven’t ‘done’ anything. It’s a massive job! Like housework and domestic cooking this is all productive work and part of the informal economy :)
Thanks so much Evane. Lol yeah my grocery shopping, water usage and nappy purchases certainly attribute to the economy :D