People talk about how social media doesn’t show the truth and that it’s messing with us. I agree. I find myself mesmerized by "perfect" things that I didn’t even realize were supposed to be perfect. Like the way people store their make up. I thought everyone had it thrown in a makeup bag all mixed together, with the 5 things you actually use randomly among a 10yr old mascara that you just haven’t thrown out yet?
More recently we are seeing a new trend where people are sharing their “realness” on social media. Which, let's be honest, is still kind of curated. Don’t get me wrong there are a handful of influencers or friends that just naturally keep it real, and have a unique presence for today’s social media experience. But it’s not the norm.
I’ve been painfully aware of all the seemingly perfect lately. Just simply because my life feels anything but perfect. So why not torture myself with endless images of pretty, perfect, polished people? It’s so ridiculous and so freaking counter productive, but I still do it. I still do it even when I’m telling myself to stop. (And...side note, I wonder why my teenagers don’t want to put their phones down.) So I scroll to avoid the real messy feelings which never really gives me what I am looking for. Instead, I feed that the negative and I never feel better. Actually, I feel worse than if I had just felt my very normal difficult moment.
Real life is f*cking MESSY!!!!! I’m talking, dirty dishes, ring in the toilet, boogers on the wall messy. (And insert all the coordinating emotions that go with those visuals.) Lately for me it’s fear, doubt and a little more fear. The short version, of a pretty long story, is raising kids is the most beautiful rollercoaster ride ever. But the tallest and steepest rollercoaster I’ve never actually seen in real life.
Here is my realness.....I’m living in my mess AND I am fessing up to escaping in the scrolling. When I’m craving a check out from my hectic day to day, I tend to slip into a social media hole and I typically end up feeling worse for the wear.
However, on the flip side, when I consciously stay away from it, I see a massive difference! Not just in me, but in my whole family. Of course.
I don’t think I’m that unique. Anyone else go looking for a cheery escape only to be left feeling shame for your messy makeup bag (aka life) ?
I can be a slow learner. I have to learn and relearn a few times when it comes to taking care of myself. This is just one reason I was excited to start Three Trees Sway with my sisters. I can’t be alone in this. I believe that there are, for sure, other people besides myself that would want to sit in a real room with real people and connect on real things??? I need it. I am so grateful you are here.
Love, Liz
