Is Your Picture-Perfect Life Missing Genuine Joy?

Is Your Picture-Perfect Life Missing Genuine Joy?

I'll never forget walking along the bluffs of Malibu with a very old friend. She has everything going for her. The beautiful home. Four gorgeous boys. The successful, handsome husband. Her parties are perfect. Her wardrobe is to die for, and the best part about this girlfriend of mine, she is one of the most generous, kind, and down-to-earth women I have ever known. 

But that summer day, she looked at me and said, "Do you think I have a problem with my drinking?" So we started chatting, She let me into some deep, sad troubles she was having. She was using the wine to mask the hardships she felt she could share with no one. "How could I possibly complain about anything? Look at my life!" she told me through teary brown eyes as she motioned her hand over the sun sparkling on the Pacific. 

I hugged her. And then I said, "Just because your struggles are different does not make them less important or valid." 

I could relate to her so much. Because when I finally decided to stop drinking, on the surface, everything looked fine. But inside, I was broken. Sad. Afraid. I felt alone. Everything looked shiny on paper (and Instagram), but there was so much pain underneath it. The wine was the only coping mechanism I knew of to deal with it all. 

Does your flawless life feel incomplete? 

Are you missing genuine joy? 

I felt the same way. I speak with women regularly who feel the same way too. And if this resonates with you, I want you to know that you, babe, are not alone.