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.

via

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.