That ‘Instagram Mum’ who has her shit together and has all the nice things, she may have the best of everything but that doesn’t mean she’s necessarily happy (or not in a shit load of debt). Remember, they’re only showing you what they want you to see. Very few people will share the true realities of their life.
I for one am guilty of it, I work in Social Media and am a serial over-sharer which puts me in the perfect position to comment on the subject.
It’s not always what it seems and this is why I also share what’s really going on. That perfect photo I posted? Yeah, I took 15 before I got one I liked because Baxter wouldn’t sit still. Where I feel I am different is I share the good AND the bad. I am well aware of the black hole that is social media.
Don’t get me wrong, some people have it good, they work hard, they have nice things and they live the Pinterest life but remember – they’re a normal person just like you and I. They struggle, they have bad days, they change shitty nappies and their kid loses their shit on occasions – they just don’t talk about it.
Perception is everything.
I was talking to a good friend today about the topic and it became very apparent to us that there are people out there who put out an image that is certainly not a true representation of their lives. This is totally their choice obviously and while there isn’t anything wrong with it. All I can say is, don’t allow yourself to get too heavily consumed, develop bad feelings or jealousy towards a person due to the image they portray. Try not to idolize a person based on what you see, I personally don’t think it’s healthy and it creates unnecessary feelings and competitiveness. It also can make you extremely ungrateful for what you do have and its create this constant need for new and better things.
Be true to yourself and be true to others. Love the person you are and the life you live. Others may have it all on the surface but that doesn’t make them any better than you.
Keep it real. The no bullshit approach always wins.
We are not perfect. Not me and I became a mother 11 years 4 months 4 days and about 13 hours ago. (No I don’t count it everyday, I just calculated it). Add another two followed in short span of 2 and half years. At times I may appear to have my shit together but it is with clenched fists and teeth (strangely nobody notices the latter part). I had always abhored these good parenting blogs. Luckily my kids had entered preschool stage by the time I was lured by internet and had my own fixed ideas like kids will be kids. As a medical doctor my knowledge of paediatrics was sadly limited to two years of lectures and wards. As a surgeon I had the bad habit of taking everything calmly. I would not congratulate myself for that (it is just the way I am) Needless to say that in the past 10 years of parenting blogs I have seen the full circle where they questioned my methods and now saying that is what we should have done with our kids. So relax. Just read the blogs that make a effort of making you laugh at your ordeals. They are more relateable. No one has their shit together we just wish to appear to have it together though the amount of poop I have seen and cleaned does not really make me keen to keep that thing together in any form. You are the mother of your child and you will always have their best interest in heart. It is a natural thing. Just let your instincts do the thing and you will not regret it.