Sometimes I feel like this needs to be a disclaimer that pops up every time you open up Facebook or Instagram.

Like... hey, friendly reminder: You're probably not going to scroll your feed and see photos of people's kids screaming with snotty noses or an Instagram photo of your friend and her cellulite.

You're probably not going to read status updates about how one friends' marriage is failing, or how another friend feels like a complete failure and the worst mom ever.

Instead, you will scroll and see nothing but happy couples, clean houses, and beautiful children. Styled outfits, styled living rooms, styled EVERYTHING.

This is the age we live in.

You have to know, though, that this is not a full view of real life. What we see on social media is ONE side of life that people are sharing.

As a blogger and a content creator, this has been a rising issue and people have been talking about it left and right for months now. What is fake vs. what is real. Are bloggers fake? What's actually real? Etc.

Here's the thing that you gotta know: Our job is to create visually stunning content. That is what brands are paying us to do. So, no, we aren't fake. We are creatively directing content for brands. In my opinion, there is no shame in staging or styling a shoot for some beautiful photos. I love doing this. It actually brings me a lot of joy.

THAT BEING SAID...

I've TOTALLY been that person before that's put her phone down, suddenly feeling like:

My house isn't bright enough, big enough, or clean enough.

My outfits aren't cool enough and everything these people are wearing would never fit me.

I should have lost my baby weight within 3 months of having it.

I don't spend enough time with my husband.

I don't get enough done in a day.

But if you really think about it, wouldn't these thoughts cross your mind anyway? Sure, if we didn't have social media flooding us with "perfect lives" constantly it wouldn't be as frequent... but isn't it in our nature to compare ourselves to our surroundings? You see Sally at the grocery store a few months after she's had a baby and you're instantly comparing her postpartum body to yours. It's human nature.

I don't have a solution for this, but I want you to know that first of all, YOU ARE ENOUGH. Second of all, I'll say this again: When using social media, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Sounds funny, but it really is something we all need to remind ourselves of.

Ever see a friend post a bunch of photos from the weekend, and you're like "Wow, they have the perfect life. They had family in town, cooked dinner, played in the pool. What a perfect life."
Wrong. Everyone has their sh**. You NEVER KNOW what people are going through.

The good news is, you can be in control of this. If you're following someone who isn't making you feel great about yourself, then unfollow them. If you find that you have any negative feelings about this person, then you have the power to stop it. Just unfollow.

If you have a problem being happy for someone else who seems happy, then maybe it's time to take a look at what's going on on the inside. Quit comparing yourself and start cheering those people on. I promise it will make you a happier person.

Once again, every time I hop on social media I know that I'm probably going to see tons of beautiful babies, kids, and families. Perfectly styled kitchens that I wish I could have, and outfits that will never fit me. I'm probably not going to hear about someone's financial or marriage problems. And I probably won't know that the person the perfect kitchen has the messiest house ever.

It is what it is. And I'm perfectly okay with it.

xo

My GO-TO pulled together and flattering, yet comfortable outfit: leggings, tunic, kimono, booties.

Photos by Sarah Wisted.

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