This is Real Life

"The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel."

I have been thinking about this quote for some time now. As you know (especially because it likely got you here), social media has exploded. We know what everyone is up to, from the mundane (oh good, glad you got to squeeze in that laundry AND a workout today!) to momentous, life-changing events. Usually, what folks choose to reveal are beautiful moments, successes, celebrations, delicious food and glamorous selfies. I am absolutely guilty. And I wonder, how all these "highlight reels" truly affect others. Others who feel they cannot compete, afford or relate with the images they see. 

I went through a phase a little over a year ago where I shunned social media. Annoyed with Facebook rants, overwhelming feeds of information and the constant desire to be pulled away to my iphone became too much. I took a break for a few months and then did something unexpected. I dove full force into the world of social media. I started a new blog and contributed more to my Instagram feed. Communicating with the world became a tool for communicating with myself. I started participating in mindful yoga challenges that allowed me to take the time to connect to myself and think about some difficult things. I found that writing became an emotional release for me and a way to combine my love of family, food, mindfulness and health. 

Because of this, I realize I am exposing a lot about myself and sharing many personal details with folks I will never meet. I am at peace with that, because on some level I believe we are all connected. I hope that a picture I share or the words I may write will connect with someone and invoke a feeling, a positive memory or even a reminder to reflect on themselves. Even so, there are certainly parts of me that I am "hiding" and my ego would love to protect. Even though I mostly share the positive happenings of my day-to-day, this does not mean that there are not things I struggle with, am working on or are fearful of daily. 

I am a real person too. These are the photos that you do not see. My adorable son often has tantrums and he does not sleep well. My house is usually a huge mess. Dust lines my hardwood floors and cloth diapers (yup, dirty) are overflowing out of the bin begging to be washed. I have disagreements with my husband. I am selfish sometimes. I eat frozen, prepared food probably way too much (I should know better). I am chronically sleep deprived. Most of the yoga photos I take look like awkward moments. 

Yesterday I read about a study published by UNC School of Medicine that found spending a lot of time on Facebook leads teenage girls to body shaming and trying drastic diets in response to images of their friends. This is not surprising. And I bet it is not the first or the last study investigating the health and social consequences in our age of social media. 

And so, my point with today's post is just to remind my readers that I am more than what I choose to share with you. We are all so much more than our photos and our opinions. Remember this. We really are all beautiful and we all have our own highlight reels, they just look different!

If you follow me on Instagram I am going to start sharing some of my "real life" moments too. Starting with today, a selfie. Not a glamorous one. I just woke up from a nap. I am currently resting at home, nursing a cold. Because even though I try my best to stay healthy, I get sick too!