What Her Instagram Won't Tell You

We watch the lives of other people unfold before our eyes through the pictures they post and the videos they share.  We see the vacations they go on with friends, the numerous concerts they attend seem endless and the number of friends they have goes on and on.  It seems everything always falls into place for them, they're never disappointed. They're never left alone to pick up the pieces of their shattered life.  And then we look back at ourselves and when we don't see a reflection of what they have in our own lives we get this idea in our heads that we are somehow less than or incapable of such beauty.  

What we continually fail to realize, however, is that these glimpses into these strangers lives are only fragments of who they are.  They are posed moments and planned memories to appeal to the masses.  These photos and videos are like a mind game, everything is not black and white.  We are not one layered individuals.  

What her Instagram won't tell you is some days, getting out of bed is her greatest accomplishment.  Maybe one day she woke up and her best friend decided they weren't best friends anymore.  Perhaps she cries herself to sleep because shes's never felt more alone in her life. Maybe her friends are the only family she's got because her home is so broken she'd rather run away than sleep there another night.  She shows you pictures of her laughing, she shares moments from times when a smile never left her face because she wants to know it's possible to feel that way again. Her friends fill your feed because she needs a reminder that she has people in her life that do care.  

What we see is not what we know.  Their profiles are only a microscopic view into their lives.  They show you the highlight reel because that's what they want you to see.  No one wants to expose their scars to the world.  No one wants to be left vulnerable in front of everyone they've ever known.

So stop making comparisons.  Stop convincing yourself that you will never be happy.  Celebrate in the beauty of their lives, but remember they struggle too.  You're not ever alone in that.

They showcase their friends, their adventures, their food, but who are they trying to impress? They know what they go through so who do they need to convince that everything's okay? You...or themselves?

                                                       Never forget the essence of your spark!