Truth behind the grid.

What is our truth?

We have become so accustomed to society sending subliminal messages and influencing our decisions that, for many of us, they go against what our real inner truth is.  Decisions we would ordinarily make easily become difficult, it becomes a game of second guessing and then we are left wondering and obsessing if we made the right one. This applies to everyone and not just parents.  We are so overwhelmed with images of the 'picture perfect' life that the decisions we make can often be made as a result of what we feel we 'should' be doing as opposed to what we really want to be doing.

This continuous comparison of what you see and what feel you should (a) be doing, (b) be feeling, or (c) look like, can often have a negative impact on your emotional well - being.

On a conscious level,  we know that this isn't 'real life' and that it's only a snapshot, a poisoned chalice of the truth behind the screen, yet we scroll and subconsciously set ourselves standards that we feel we should live up to.

But why?

Arguably, it all leads to the same thing: what we want people to think or to believe to be true about who we are and what we have.

I have a love/ hate relationship with social media, preferring Instagram above the rest. I find it a great platform to share my journey and discuss things that inspire and motivate me. However, at times, I can be sucked into the comparison cycle of doom and it can leave you feeling pretty deflated. 

It can prompt you to question your own truth and happiness and make you question:

why your decor doesn't look as 'trendy' why the food you prepare for your family doesn't seem as healthy, as organic. Why your holidays don't seem as glamorous as those that you're seeing on line.Why, despite you trying, your waistline doesn't match up to those on the grid: the list goes on...why your husband doesn't buy you extravagant gifts, why you don't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public. Why can't your children swim, cycle, read like those you see on line. why, why, why.

But it's hard to remember, so - when this happens, I try to think of this: It's not about the numbers, the followers, the likes, the comments. It's about you remembering that your time on social media is a choice and that you are free to like, dislike, follow and unfollow whoever and whatever doesn't make you feel good.

The fact is, what you see on line isn't the full truth. It's a glimmer, a quick insight into what may be the best part of a bad day. But we don't see this. We see what others want us to see. Try to remember that other people's so called truth shouldn't be an aspiration of ours - what they post has often be chosen purposefully to reflect a version of their truth that they want others to believe.

It's a snapshot of their entirety and not a reflection of our own.


To connect with Kate, follow her on Instagram @aliceinworryland.