I probably fooled you into thinking I was talking about wine… or vodka, am I right? The truth of the matter is, I’m talking about something that is far more important, far more prevalent, a subject that we all might feel a little convicted about: social media. As I am writing these words, my phone keeps glowing and vibrating, as if to tell me that something is so important I should take my fingers off the keys, but my heart is telling me to keep on typing, that this message is one that is lost far too often, that going into this weekend we all need a reminder (ahem, a slap in the face) of what really matters and how we should really be spending our minutes. So if you’re ready, I’m about to step up on a soapbox and tell you what I really think about this madness we call social media. Let me preface this by saying I’ve been sucked in by the monster, I’ve gone down rabbit trails that leave me questioning how the hell I ended up there, I’ve had days where I feel so entirely inadequate that I would rather stay in bed in yesterday’s yoga pants than face the imperfect (yet beautiful) reality that is right in front of me, I want you to know and remember that I have and will continue to face the same monsters you do and I want you to know that I think you’re awesome already.

Have you ever stopped to think about how you are consuming social media? If you are anything like me, your feeds are filled with perfectly styled photos, delicious (yet seemingly healthy) meals, glamorous travels, perfect outfits and homes that look straight out of Martha Stewart living. We mindlessly let our thumb lead us down paths that only help our insecurities grow, with every scroll, we are bombarded with the message that we are not “enough”, we see posts that only make us question everything, that remind us of the things we don’t have. I think it’s funny that we call them our “feeds” because what are we really feeding? Our souls? Hell no, we are feeding our need to feel desired, to feel heard, to try and shout that our lives are worthy and awesome and everything. Trust me guys, I’ve gone some pretty crazy lengths to get the “perfect” photo to fill your feeds (thank me never) and I’ve spent far too many hours curating and styling things to make you think that I am somehow more enough because a pretty square photo has led you to believe that. Some days (umm, everyday) social media can make you feel like you will never measure up, it can make you question your worth, it can remind you how hard it is to watch other people living out your dreams. The truth is, we must be intentional in the screaming match that is social media. Are you guarding your heart? Are you reading between the lines? Are you actually taking the time to realize what may have gone in to making that little square photo look perfect?

Why am I writing this? As someone who knows what it takes to have a pretty, perfect, cohesive feed, I think it is a message worth sharing. I’ve fallen prey to it, you probably have to. If you’ve ever found yourself rearranging the dinner plates, setting your Starbucks next to the newest issue of Kinfolk, or telling someone to take more than one photo of you because you want it to be perfect, you have too. It’s easy to point fingers, it’s easy to place blame, it’s easy to scream and rant and post about how you want authenticity, how you want the imperfect, how you wish people would just stop the perfect act but my challenge to you is: do you really?  I don’t believe you do. The proof lies in the pudding, the public has spoken, the top “liked” posts are generally the ones where someone put that extra time into making it extra good, and so, my friends, I’m not buying your pleas. Social media is a break for us, it’s a chance to lose the reality we are in, it’s an escape to visual stimulation where we can mindlessly scroll, tap, and double tap when something catches our eye. It’s a place where the clutter is cleared, the whimsy is captured, and if we are lucky, real words rise up under the pretty little photos. It’s like how I somehow always get caught watching those stupid Real Housewives shows. Why do you I watch artificial women argue and throw expensive champagne at one another? Because it’s a break from the mundane life that I sometimes feel I lead. (Also, I love watching them try to show expression through the Botox!) Instead of placing the blame on the producers, I am challenging you (yes, you) as the consumer.

We have to be intentional producers AND consumers. Where is your heart? What are you choosing to believe when you look at these posts? Why are you comparing yourself? The photo above? I just took it on Monday morning, I stood on a chair, laid out the pretty on a table, and I took extra care and caution making sure everything was perfectly in place. My bag is full of garbage, receipts, and airline tickets. I quick wrote a fake to-do list in calligraphy and threw in some fun props. I could have used the caption to try and convince you that this is what my Monday looks like but the truth is, I carefully styled this and photographed it before I hopped back into bed post workout with a clay mask on my face and a cold cup of coffee. When you see these perfect things, I want you to check your hearts, I want you to remember that we have become a generation of perfection, I want you to giggle at the imperfect human who took the time to try and fool you into thinking they were perfect. I want you to remember that between those lines and perfect photos lies someone who is likely just as insecure as you are. Remember that a lot of social media is styled and curated, that lives go beyond square photos, and that sometimes people are just trying to convince themselves that they are enough. Be intentional with your consumption, friends. Protect your heart. Keep it real! My message for Monday? You are enough, you are so enough, it’s crazy how enough you are.

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