Picture Perfect

I knew someone who once said “social media is the worst thing that could have ever happened to America”. While I disagree in some aspects, I agree for the most part. It can be used for good but let’s be honest, most of us are pretty wrapped up in it. (Kudos to the ones who aren’t.) We live in a world where we are striving to be “popular” by getting a ton of likes and comments and this is what we call the “like culture”. I find it quite unsettling that we focus more on what people think about us online instead of focusing on the people that are standing in front of us. Mental health is dropping because everyone wants to live someone else's life. Guess what, I struggle with this. I find these accounts and aspire to be like other people instead of wanting to be myself. This can become extremely detrimental to your self value. Here are a couple ways to get started.

Put Down the Phone

Start by putting down the phone. If you’re at dinner or lunch or even if it’s just coffee with a friend for the love of all things good PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE. The person sitting in front of you should have your undivided attention. Let’s try to get back to the basics of actually maintaining a conversation that holds depth. Not everything has to be photographed for your story. You’re allowed to keep moments to yourself. The less you get attached to your phone the easier the next steps will be.

A Filtered Life

Filters are no longer just on pictures. We have begun to filter our entire online presence to support how we want individuals to see us. I have been guilty of this, ya know, trying to be the perfect role model for Christian women when in reality I’m not perfect either. (Hints why I introduced myself in my last post the way I did.) Try being yourself if you choose to use social media, maybe even posting a selfie with no filters and doing what you love. The world doesn't need more influencers in bikinis, it needs more authentic and genuine people. More people admitting imperfections because when we can realize when we aren’t all together all the time it makes the times we aren’t a little easier to manage.

Stop Checking Your Likes

Your value is not in how many people like or comment on your social media. If you have a certain number of likes you have to get or you will delete the post that means you are idolizing social media and this is a bigger problem in itself and ya might wanna check on that. I want to give you some challenges for the week:

• Post an after workout sweaty as heck selfie with no filter.

• Set a timer that sets boundaries for how long you can spend on social media per day.

• Stop checking your likes.

• Stop using your phone during conversations with people. (Unless someone is dying, it can wait) Make your in-person time with people a priority.

• Stop being fake. Yah, be vulnerable sometimes. We’re not all perfect so it’s okay to finally admit it.

• Stop comparing yourself to other people on the media (they ain’t perfect either).

• BE YOURSELF. Being someone else all the time gets exhausting. Be silly. You don’t have to be serious all the time.

You are strong enough to start being yourself. You are strong enough to stop living for the approval of people behind the screen. Be smart enough to start living like it.