Real Life

I recently read theses two statements:

You know you've grown when you're actually doing the things you tell others you do.

AND

Don't compare your every day "real" life to everyone else's social media highlight reel.

And it got me thinking...so thinking is leading to sharing. 
Haven't posted much in the past few months and then 2 posts in 2 days!
That's how I roll sometimes.

Anyways.

DO we only show the good stuff?
Do we choose, intentionally, to share only the highlights?
And if so, why? 
Is it to feel worthy?  Or to somehow fit in?  To feel important?  To be admired? 

Is it a control thing? 

Because what would people think if they saw the not so put together us? 
The one who struggles with depression, anxiety, fear, eating disorders, addicitions?
The one who lives paycheck to paycheck and has to stretch every little bit to make ends meet?
The one who is fighting desperately to make the relationships in their life work?
The one whose child is struggling with...
The one who was recently given a diagnosis they were not expecting...

Do we only post the good stuff because online we can control what people "see?"
And some how, if we can make it look good on the outside, then surely, we can work at getting it together on the inside.

And I know, social media is just that - social media.
And we have the option to post what we want. 
Or, not post at all, but jump on to get a glimpse into what others are posting.

But friends, people are watching us.
Much more than what they are listening to what we have to say.

And honestly, I am inspired when I get to see others full journey, not just the highlight reel that, more often than not, neglects to share the tough stuff. 
Because isn't the tough stuff the stuff we can relate to even more than we can the highlights?

For me, when I stopped to question my own self - I think I try to share it all. 
Keeping it real - it's much easier to share the good things.  The tough times puts us in a place of vulnerability and that's a tough pill to swallow. (and for those who know me well, I don't swallow pills well at all! ;) )

However, I believe the behind the scenes, the not so pretty days, are what truly makes us who we are. 
And I want to encourage you to share that.

And maybe you think social media isn't the place for that.
Maybe not - sometimes, many times, things are better left out of the social media trap. 
But don't be afraid to share it with your people.  To get real and honest and let them know how they can come alongside of you during the behind the scenes that you're just not ready to show everyone else. 

Friends, we are better together!!!
Don't get tangled up with comparison, but choose to recognize that we each have our "mess." And our "people" should be able to handle our mess.
Allow yourself to make connections with others, share not only your highlights, but your behind the scenes, too - and you never know who you may help along the journey.

Simply put, let's choose to just be kind to others. 
Because whether they share it or not, they aren't just living the highlight reel. 

xox,
Jenny