Ah, the Rachel Hollis video mess.
I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now. Hopefully, you even had a chance to watch it because the original Rachel Hollis video and apology video were taken down earlier this week.
We all know Rachel Hollis from her first book, Girl, Wash Your Face. I read it with half of the rest of the world, and I loved it too. I followed her on social media and was always looking for her new posts because I just loved what she had to say and how upbeat she was about everything.
Looking back, I feel like this book became so successful because it sucks you in by telling us we aren’t doing enough and telling us what we need to do about it.
As mothers, we already struggle with the feeling that we never do enough, so we thought this book was the magic little pill we need.
For those who aren’t very familiar with Ms. Hollis’ beliefs, she pushes you to wake up as early as humanly possible and basically work all day. Her idea of waking up early is 4 am. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t do that.
Quite honestly, I usually don’t settle down in bed until around 11:30 at night, and I just can’t function on that small amount of sleep.
I also read her second book and enjoyed that one too. After a while, the amazingness that Rachel Hollis is (or was) began to wear off. And long story short, she said something last year that finally made me click the unfollow button.
And here we are today.
Don’t let her (or anyone else) tell you that your life isn’t good enough because you don’t make as much money as she does.
And stop apologizing for feeling like you can’t or don’t accomplish it all!
And never let someone refer to you as just a “woman who cleans my toilets.”
Do I work hard? I have my day job, my side hustle, and housework. I’m working with other parents to try to keep a local school open. I coach one of our son’s sports. I take our son to another extracurricular where parents are required to participate. I’m helping a friend get out of a bad situation. I’m learning a musical instrument with our son. And guess what… I only get a paycheck for two of those things. I would never tell someone they have to do all of the things I do.
But I would tell someone to do only what they could handle. That looks different for everyone. Don’t forget to save some time for yourself in there, too.
I’m not against the hustle altogether. I’m not saying I don’t support my friends who hustle their butts off. I get my skincare, make-up, children’s books, household items, and more from mom friends committed to working the hustle. I cheer them on along the way, and I love watching them succeed and do what makes them happy.
So, ladies, don’t let anyone (no matter how famous they are) tell you that you aren’t working hard enough if you aren’t financially well off.
All mothers work so hard.
You don’t have to keep up with the mother next door, either. Let her do her thing, and you do yours. Stay happy. It looks great on you.
You can follow along with Claire and her motherhood adventures on Instagram at @clairewritesthat.