Let's face it... we are all somewhat guilty (some of us more than others!) of carefully staging our Facebooks accounts. You so know what I mean. Only the stuff that makes us appear happy, whimsical and if goofy, it must be the cute, adorable kind. How often do we say "Aww, look at my muffin top there! I bet so many more people can relate to me now!" Um, no.
I am admitting I fall into this category as well. I'm faster than the Kenyans in the Olympics when I see that a friend has posted a less than stunning photo of me! Boom! Gone! Holy crap, that makes my heart sink!
Then there are the nights (cough, cough, like this one) where you feel you might combust if you look at one more happy engagement announcement, birth or exotic vacation others proudly plaster across Facebook for all to drool over. Now, don't get me wrong here, I genuinely enjoy when good things come to others. Especially those I love. But, can we admit sometimes Facebook is just fake and leaves us feeling like everyone else has their poo sooo together that we look like the house of rejects?
Sometimes I ponder starting a Facebook challenge. A movement of sorts. The only problem is I don't think there would be enough people willing to take the risk.
What if you saw a photo of that one person you swear has a picture perfect life completely disheveled and in their natural state. The real deal. Maybe no make up and perfect poses to accentuate their beauty points and hide any possible flaw. What if the girl you feel you can't ever measure up to posts about her muffin top! What if everyone just got real for a day.
Can ya imagine the awesomeness. I picture it a little like this: "Weeeehoooo! I just farted so dang loud and nasty I cleared out the whole house!" or maybe "I haven't brushed my teeth in a good 4 days." Maybe a day when all women choose to embrace flaws and post a pic of themselves with no make up. Taking off the masks and allowing some vulnerability and truth.
We are so busy keeping up with one another in all departments, (clothing, beauty, hair tricks, freakin' Pinterest recipes and DIY junk.) Are we really doing this for our own enjoyment and satisfaction? Would it still be something you would spend hours on if you couldn't post it to Instagram, Facebook Twitter and your blog for all to see?!
I have always been the pretty girl. ...please, let me finish before writing me off...hold on! It's all I've really ever been known for or at least noticed for. So, I have always felt this need to play into others' expectations. If I wasn't playing up the perfect looks and body than what was I really good for anyway? Give the people what they want and deem valuable, right?
Well, a lot has changed and I find myself challenged to accept myself in a less than perfect state. Illness has changed my appearance in many negative ways, taking away what I have found as my worth. Sure, I can load up the make up and dress very strategically to pull of "I've still got it" but why in the world do I want to be that girl?
I have awful acne scars, I have gained enough weight to earn myself a nice jiggly muffin top of my own and 9x out of 10 I am looking like a complete bum (unless I know someones is looking, of course).
Perhaps I'm too chicken myself to go through with the challenge, I really don't know. But, I do know I am tired of comparing myself to the seemingly perfect world of Facebook beauty, happiness and freakin' Martha Stewarts. Seriously? I mean are these chicks for real?
What I do know...1. I do have much more to offer than the package it is all rolled up into. And I need to surround myself with those who love me muffin top and all. 2. I can compare myself to these Facebook showcases or just realize we all have flaws and love my little humble life. 3. Comparison is the thief of joy. There is no way to be content in your own life if you are constantly comparing what you don't have to what other "seem" to have.
What are your thoughts? Do you experience this? Are you willing to admit you feed into the madness?
You are correct, you have always been a pretty girl; I wanted to be like you in high school. However, it wasn't necessarily your outward appearence that made me think that you were beautiful. I remember you as being such a beautiful person on the inside that your beauty radiated from the inside out. Acne scars and gained weight can never take your beauty away from you. Your beautiful personality, kindness and wit, will keep you beautiful forever.
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