The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. – Steven Furtick
This is by far one of my all-time favorite quotes. I’ve done this very thing far more often than I would ever care to admit. I’ve always done this, but I feel like it’s been especially harder to not do with Social Media these days. Twenty minutes on Facebook can sometimes make you want to jump off the Tobin Bridge.
This happens primarily because many people do just post their highlights in life. There’s nothing wrong with that. I enjoy that they share those great moments with us and am genuinely happy for them. I much prefer these then negativity and drama in my newsfeed. However, sometimes it can be a slippery slope because some days I want to know that they feel like me from time to time. I want to know that not everything is always perfect and that I’m not the only one that feels like I’m a walking disaster. Here are some classic posts on Facebook that have made me want to jump:
1.“I woke up like this” post. Insert selfie with hair fully done, perfect outfit, make-up done by professional make-up artist with a touch of photoshop. Of course, you woke up like that!! And I woke up like this. Hard to believe how flawless, huh?
It’s true, I wake up like this..
2. The “I have the best husband in the world. I love him more and more every day.” posts. Aaaww, how nice! There are days my husband breathes the wrong way and I want to beat him with a bat. No one loves that man more than me, but seriously, some days that’s just how it is.
3. The “My children are perfect” posts. That’s precious. My children make your children look perfect. You’re welcome. P.S. My kids are awesome and I wouldn’t change a thing.
4. The “Yay! Our little one is officially potty-trained at 18 months!” (or whatever milestone you’re currently stressing over) post. Wow. Good for you!! Potty-training has been a major parenting fail for me. Thankfully, they both are now trained, but it wasn’t looking good for awhile there. I once told my son to “Go in the Toilet” when he was starting to pull his pants down in his bedroom. His literal brain had him then run to the bathroom and literally got in the toilet….with his pants and socks still on. Don’t believe me? Here you go! ?
Literally, following my instructions to “go in the toilet”
5. The “Look at what’s for dinner!!” post. (While posting a picture of the fabulous and healthy meal they made from scratch and that their children will actually eat.) Oh shoot!! I forgot to take a picture of the frozen pizza I made for my kids for the third time this week. I’ll be sure to post it tomorrow because I’m sure I’ll make that again since they won’t eat anything else.
6. The “I love working out and only eat lettuce or Quinoa” post. Ok, listen, I do enjoy working out as it’s often the only time I get to myself, but some days it’s tough to get out of bed. I go through funks and sometimes get in ruts. Not to mention, I’d like to make Reeses PB cups a food group. Hey, it’s all about balance.
7. The “Look at how creative I am!” post. Ok, as the least “crafty” person on the planet, I always feel like I don’t measure up. This is what a kid looks like when they have a mom like me that is not crafty AT ALL but tries desperately to be.
This poor child is so patient with my lack of skills in the craft department.
Package says its for 6 and over, I’m 39 (at time of this photo) and I can’t do it. It says “Does not need glue”, I’m thinking…”Where’s the drill?”. I’ve cursed more during this than I have sitting 2 hours in traffic. I’m dying laughing at this point and my daughter was not impressed. I had to snap a picture.
So, of course, if you’re reading these types of posts all the time, and you are comparing your behind-the-scenes to these highlights, you can absolutely get depressed about where you’re at in life. It’s important to remind ourselves that these are just highlights. We should be happy for them, because if you’re not, I believe in a little thing called Karma could come back to bite you. We also need to continue to run our own race, and stop looking to see where others are in their lives. Everyone is struggling with something. Knowing this makes me want to share my insecurities, flaws and my own struggles, so maybe it can help others know that it’s not all highlights here. Believe me, I have some amazing highlights in my life, but some days my behind-the-scenes are a constant train wreck, too. I want people to know that not for a Misery-Loves-Company-sort-of-thing, but because I’ve spent so many years trying to please people and being afraid of them knowing the real me. Some people may not appreciate what I have to say and may be turned off by it, or think some things don’t have to be admitted. But, I think most people appreciate any kind of honesty and knowing that they are not the only ones that can have less-than-perfect days from time to time. Believe me, you are not alone…However, the woman that’s never raised her voice at her kids, is. And who needs to have a perfect life when you can pretend you have one on Pinterest? You should see my wardrobe on there! It’s not my real life, every day Target attire. ?