I have a baking addiction.

It’s true. I love to make all kinds of baked goods when I’m not planning lessons or changing diapers. But in the past few years I have really gotten into the world of decorated sugar cookies.

It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a cookie can be transformed in into something beautiful!

Life Lessons from Sugar Cookies

Learning to decorate sugar cookies has given me a lot of different skills. I’ve spent many hours researching, practicing, and imagining new creations.

But as I look back on my growth as a cookie decorator, I begin to realize it’s taught me a few things about life in general.

A lot of the truths I have applied in cookie decorating apply to the rest of my life as well. Especially as a mom! There are some lessons that are universal.

Perfection is a Myth

I love to look at photos of sugar cookies done by more experienced cookie decorators like Callye of Sweet Sugarbelle. It is incredible to see the work they can do! Sometimes it can lead me to feel like I am terrible at cookie decorating.

The truth is it’s easy to compare our imperfect attempts at life to someone else’s beautifully curated Instagram feed.

But that’s not the reality. That perfect shot doesn’t show the batches of cookies that it took to get the design just right. I’m not seeing the disasters that person made when they first started out like me.

And if I really look close enough I guarantee I would find mistakes.  

I have to stop the comparison. Whether they’re farther ahead in cookie decorating or seem to be killing it in the motherhood game there’s always room for improvement.  

We’re Our Own Worst Critics in Life

I can’t tell you how many times I have made a cookie and felt like it just didn’t look right only to have others be amazed by it.

When it’s our own work we are quick to see each and every flaw.

We might even feel like others see them and are judging us.

If my daughter doesn’t have that fresh, healthy meal every day the world will still turn. My friend coming over for a play date probably won’t notice that my baseboards haven’t been scrubbed since the pre-pregnancy days. And she doesn’t really care if I’ve followed the latest Kondo craze.

The reality is we are often much harder on ourselves than others will be. We need to be quick to forgive ourselves for any mistakes and remember that they aren’t the end of the world. They’re just lessons we can learn from.

Life is More Complicated Post-Kids

Have you ever tried to decorate a sugar cookie with a kid attached to your leg?

I have. I don’t recommend it.

Trying to do tasks with a baby or kid around is hard. They are constantly getting into anything and everything. It only takes two seconds for them to knock over something breakable or hurt themselves.

I’ve found that being able to do my sugar cookies is a bit more difficult than it used to be. There is a small child who constantly needs my attention.

Being able to do this hobby takes a bit of creativity and planning.

Which leads me to my last lesson…

Finding Time for Something You Love is Important

It will take work.  But do it anyway.

Your husband might need to take the kids for an hour or the laundry might not get done quite on time. Do it anyway!

As a mom it is so important for me to have something outside of motherhood. Those things I love don’t just go away because I have a kid. They still exist and desire to have space in my life.

If you have a hobby you love make time for it.

It doesn’t have to be every day or even every week.

Schedule time into a day during your child’s nap. Ask your husband to watch the kids while you leave the house for a bit on his day off.  

Taking a bit of time to do something you love is so important.

It gives you something for yourself. And you teach your children that the things they are passionate about are just as important as they grow into adulthood.

I never thought sugar cookies could teach me so much about life and motherhood.

But this world is full of surprises…isn’t it?