Recently, Steve and I took a very dear friend to Pittsburgh for surgery, which, thankfully, was successful. The patient is recovering at home, healthy and happy. While there, I took the opportunity to enjoy a special holiday drink from Starbucks while we waited. I say special because we do not have a Starbucks anywhere near our home, so it is a real treat. Madison texted me and asked if I had gotten a coffee, so I quickly snapped this photo...
~ The little table in the waiting room, my purse, my coffee, an old pack of tissues I found at the bottom of my bag, Steve's work papers and his highlighter, and a bottle of Tylenol I picked up at the hospital pharmacy for sinus headaches ~
REALITY
Then I thought about how if I were going to post my coffee on social media, I would certainly take a much different photo. So I snapped this one and sent it to Madison...
~ curated shot of my Starbucks coffee perched perfectly on my knee with perfect natural lighting in the background ~
SOCIAL MEDIA LIFE
This is just a reminder that most things we see when we scroll are carefully planned, scripted, curated, and filtered images. So when I get the urge to compare myself and my home to them, I stop. And think of what they really are. Inspiration for possibilities. I can linger, or I can scroll. Up to me, right?
Have a lovely Wednesday, my friends!!!
Billie Jo
No ones life is as perfect as some show on social media. I don't let myself get sucked in to that and I'm glad you aren't either. Have a great Wednesday!!
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it. Some people drive themselves CRAZY 'creating' the perfect home shown with curated photos. No home is perfect...just as no ONE is perfect. Gotta love Starbucks!!!! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! I love this!!
ReplyDeleteYes! This is so good. We live in a 'fake' world, where people are trying to show perfection where it doesn't exist. I think it's also a generational thing. Your first picture looked fine to me! My kids have that mindset of everything has to be just right and they insist on approving every photo I want to post of them (that's why I don't post about them very much anymore.) The world gets a little crazier every day. Thankfully the Lord never changes!
ReplyDeleteReally like what you had to say about Social Media Life, it's so true. I've been caught up in it several times before I stepped back and realized that things are not always what they seem. I still enjoy social media though!! I live in a small town and we just got a Starbucks!!
ReplyDeleteSo true!! I see my social media outlet as my artistic escape from real life at times. Lol But in my heart I know what's real for me - and most folks, on a daily basis. I do try to preserve moments as a scrapbook of memories. I think we have the control over how much time we spend there and what we look at...amen to that!! I love ALL you share here dear Friend. You are the real deal. ♥️ xoxo
ReplyDeleteSO true! I often crop out stuff even when just sending a picture in a text to family:) We all have stuff and that's ok! Enjoy your evening dear friend, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! I just did that to my husband - he was taking a picture of his favorite fudge that I made, to put on FB, and i moved things out of the way so the picture looked better. We do all have stuff! Good reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen, Billie Jo. :0)
ReplyDeleteYes, so true! While I do tinker with some things like light (it's in my bones, I have a Design BA) I don't see the need people have to present a "fake" image...I think it's dangerous. That may sound a little strong, but all that comparison with others makes us begin to start doubting ourselves, our worth, our image, our lives. Thanks for the reminder...yep, right now: laundry spilling over the hamper edges, trash needs to go out...that's REAL life.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteI fight the social media monster all the time, wondering if I should stay or go. I have gotten ok with unfollowing accounts that make me feel like I need to change something or do more or buy something, etc. I don't fret over how many followers I have or friends on FB. It's not indicative of real life, so I say it's not real. Personally, I can't handle all the mental noise it gives off.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, as a creative writer, I love a good photo to go with my words, so I do have fun challenging myself to get a creative picture (most of the time), when I post something.
Oh, P.S......I got your book yesterday evening and am already loving it!
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on. No one lives a perfectly curated life!
ReplyDeleteGlad your friend is recovering well! Such a great reminder. I remember seeing in a photo guide one time how she took the photo from up above and then, you didn't see the mess surrounding it all. The mess is real and it's nice to see sometimes. Hope you are enjoying your week!
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely true. Sometimes I look at someone's Facebook posts or Instagram and think they can't be that happy ALL the time. People always want to share the good. Sometimes I'd rather share the messy so those viewing can know they aren't alone.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder today! This time of year "everything" looks so Christmas perfect....I do not do too much social media but I've taken a break even from that little bit during December. It's just too much! Glad that your friend is home and recovering!
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo! I love this post. It's a great reminder that we all have "messy things" going on in our lives. It's part of being human. The wonderful thing is that, despite the messiness of life, we can choose to be happy and love each other anyway. Enjoy the rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteYes! I couldn't agree more! I stopped being on Instagram and Facebook for Advent and it has been good. And I think that every time I give it up for a while. Which really means I should just drop it all together.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to help your friend. ❤️ I deleted most of my social media accounts. I think most of it is unhealthy and not even real. Comparing yourself to filtered photos and all the things. You have many ppl who buy followers as well. How sad is that? My quality of life improved when I left it in the dirt. It was hard at first bc I didn’t realize how much I popped on throughout the day.
ReplyDelete