Let's Get Real

I've noticed in the blogging world that for the most part, everyone's lives seem pretty freaking fabulous. I'm sure that from an outsiders perspective, mine seems pretty great as well. And it is. But come on...it can't be all rainbows and butterflies all the time for everyone. It certainly isn't in my life.

But I get it. Who wants to blog about the negative side of things? Who wants to blog about the piles of laundry, the stress at work, the fights with the husband....all the unglamorous parts of every day life? I don't. I don't want people to know that things aren't always perfect.

But there is no way that things can be perfect every single day for anyone. That's just not how life goes. And I think it can be incredibly unhealthy to compare yourself to all the other seemingly perfect lives out there in this great big blogging universe. I don't struggle with comparison like I used to, but it still comes up every now and then.

When Facebook first came around, I was living in California. All by myself. I was following my dreams, but I certainly wasn't "living the dream". It was tough. I've talked about it before in this post. I would look at all the Facebook updates of everyone back in Oklahoma, living the college life, going out with friends, having what looked like the best time of their lives, and I would get so depressed. I felt like everyone was so happy and I was so alone and sad....it was so, so unhealthy.

Now that I'm older, wiser, and in a much better place in my life, I don't struggle with that. As much. But when I do, it's not with Facebook now....now, it's with bloggers. Some bloggers seem to have the best marriages. It seems like they are so madly, deeply in love that they never have stupid fights over what to make for dinner, or who should have replaced the trash can liner. And some of them, their homes are just so beautiful. And organized. And clean. And some of them are just so incredibly crafty. And they have adorable little shops where they sell the crafty things they make.

And every once in awhile, if I'm having a down day, or maybe am feeling a little more...ahem....moody than usual, it gets to me. I can feel that urge to compare creeping up on me, and I have to make a conscious decision to fight it. And to remind myself...there's no way it's all perfection, all the time.

I saw this quote on Pinterest once, months ago, and it really stuck with me: "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlights reel". That is SO TRUE. Of course everyone is only posting about the best things in life! Why wouldn't you? But sitting on the other side of things, it's so easy to assume that that's just their every day. Beautiful, happy life, 24/7.

Please know, I am blissfully happy in my life....most of the time. I adore my husband, he is my best friend, and we have a wonderful relationship....most of the time. And I love my house, and I love keeping it nice and clean and pretty and organized....most of the time. So if you're ever sitting here reading my blog, and you're thinking something along the lines of Good Lord, this girl brags an awful lot about her hottie husband and her cute little dog and how great things are...remember this. Remember this post. And remember that most likely, every other blogger out there, big and small, is showing you their highlights reel. And feel better.


  1. Great post. You are so right. With all of the social media out there it is hard not to compare yourself to others.

  2. So true. I posted a few times recently on what was on my heart that was sad and had me down. I make no apologies for having bad days and i like it when others are real also. i agree, it's ahrd no to compare though on those hard days. Thank you for this post.

  3. It's tough not to get all caught up in the comparison game. I know I definitely fall victim to it every now and then, especially when I'm looking for excuses to be unhappy. I've gotten a lot better at just walking away from it all when I find myself in one of those moods.

  4. I don't know if you noticed but I deactivated my facebook for about a month for that very reason. And in case you want another quote, "Jealousy is all the fun you think they had." I wrote a blog about that months back because it's easy to forget. Nobody uploads a picture of themselves at their worst (unless they're me posting after-race photos), or pictures of them changing a flat tire in a dress on the highway, etc. Your life is pretty fab though ;)

  5. Completely agree. At times it is hard to not compare yourself to others or want what they have. We all have our moments :)

  6. I have more trouble with facebook than bloggers but I do understand the sentiment! For some reason I don't find myself as influenced by bloggers seemingly perfect lives - because I know on my blog, I always put my best foot forward. I have problems letting people in when things are less-than-perfect so I find that I just never blog about it (I'm just really self conscious). So I just think to myself "I know that's what all those "perfect" bloggers do too." I love when people are brave enough to blog about when their lives aren't going 100% perfect, I wish I were brave enough! Facebook though? Completely different ball game! I KNOW those people and I feel worse when I KNOW the person who's living out their dreams while I'm just working a 9-5. Sigh. Haha


  7. ditto pretty much everything in this post. thanks for writing it and reminding me i'm not alone in these thoughts!

    ps. i am still in my pajamas and it's almost 10am. how's that for real world ;)

  8. I just found your blog and this is a great post! You put it so well and I love that quote "The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlights reel". I never heard that before but I will definitely be using it!

  9. I feel that way too sometimes, but then I think it's a blog and no on has enough time to write about everything and no has time to read about the everything. I definitely use it as an "escape" from stress of work and school, but when I write I also just want to focus on the positive...I am actually a positive person and will try to see the best in everything and everyone....i do have a post I am playing around with that is on the serious side...but i don't know if I want to post it....

