When Blogging and Social Media Takes Over Being Real
You see it everyday. The perfect family smiling on Facebook. The food photo that makes you want to jump through your computer and eat it. The perfectly placed decor on the side table of the bed.
Ok, who really lives like this? I work in social media and the blogging world and sometimes I get all caught up in the “photos” and how things look.
I caught myself today in the act of faking it for social media. I was so excited about my new devotional book. I have shared that I want to spend more time in the word and finally found a book that I am excited about. I have been following people on Instagram that are also doing devotionals a day. I am inspired by them. I wanted to inspire others.
So before I started my devotional I spent 20 minutes setting up. How ridiculous is that? I cleaned the desk, cleared the clutter, threw away the candy wrappers, turned on a lamp, stages the book, made a fresh cup of coffee in an inspirational cup. THEN I started taking pics. I took 7 pics. Yes, I went back and counted.
Here are some of the pics. They all look the same right?
Oh no! In my social media, blogger mind, I saw the reflection on my hand and cell phone in one, I saw too much light in one, one was not the right angle, still had fingerprints so I pulled out the Windex. I rearranged and tried again.
I was so wrapped up in the blogger mindset that I forgot the REAL reason I wanted to share the pic to begin with. I feel so stupid now. I saw this video on YouTube and a light bulb went off!
Tomorrow I will share a very real, raw, unedited photo. With the toys, fingerprints, cold coffee, and cluttered desk all just as they are. God doesn’t care how we look or that the pen is perfectly placed. He just wants us to be in the word. Those that need to be inspired don’t care what it looks like. They are REAL like ME!
I will be INTENTIONAL about sharing real photos on Instagram this year. I can’t promise that I will use less hashtags. Hey that is the blogger in me. One step at a time.
I encourage YOU to be real too! Don’t be discouraged by the AMAZING food photos, perfectly dressed kids, spotless and decorated homes. We are real! We may not shower. We may be in pajamas all day. We may be going bonkers with our kiddo. But you know what, that is REAL! And you are not alone. We are all in this together! #teamgetreal
tee hee hee You know I know what you’re talking about. That’s exactly WHY the photos I put up of my devotions, you only see the devotions. Pan out too far and you’ll see the clutter everywhere. This post reminds me of the dad who’s taking care of the kids while the mom/wife is gone on a business meeting. They’re skyping and he’s talking about how awesome everything is going. Then they pan out and there’s like spaghetti sauce all over the walls and the house is in disarray. I couldn’t get a good Instagram photo with my food if I had professionals standing around me. hahahahaha I love that you’re sharing the real you, with all of the staged stuff we see in our line of work! Can’t wait to see some of your devotions. =)