Now, for your serious broadcast-

Everywhere I turn, I’m drawn to blog posts by other bloggers titled Instagram’s Envy Effect, Pressures of Social Media, and the like. There is a strange phenomenon happening. We are not only envious of the stars who show up on the glossy pages of the fashion magazines or the super models in the latest perfume ad, but we’re beginning to harbor strong resentment for our peers via social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc.

Personally, I’ve grown jealous of friends who post pictures of their bikini ready bodies, their genius kids, and perfectly styled homes. Some people make doing an updo look as easy as 1,2, 3, pin. Then there are the wives posting about the awesomeness that is their cooking, cleaning, organized, considerate, hands-on, family man of a husband. We don’t see the full story that is their life because we’re only privy to the small blips they choose to share with us.

Just like I’ve experienced jealousy through the looking glass, I know of a couple friends who have unfollowed me or hidden my feeds from their FB because of the very same feelings of resentment.

So, I’m going to do a bit of sharing today. This may be TMI for most, but I want to keep it real.

Let’s be real.

At my heaviest non-pregnant self, I weighed a shocking 165 lbs.

My husband is rarely home during the week. Right now, he’s deployed, so he’s never home.

My 3 kids sometimes drive me crazy & we go to bed in a tizzy. No stories read, no tucking in, no kisses or hugs, just plain exhaustion.

I have terrible self-confidence in my appearance.

My marriage is far less than perfect. We have weeks where we constantly bicker. We’ve used the D word in our most heated moments.

As a designer, I’ve let down manufacturers and friends more times than I’d like to admit.

There was a whole year during my pregnancy and a little after, I couldn’t bring myself to create anything of worth.

I sometimes make meals my family would rather leave for the dog than eat a few bites of.

At my darkest hour, I don’t log-in to Facebook or any social media for fear of overly happy accomplished friends.

I hide friends from my FB wall who are constant braggers or downers. I like to see a human-like balance!

I rarely “get dressed”. I’m always in gym clothes.

I haven’t had a haircut since January.

I have a good life, my husband works hard for what we have, I am proud of my accomplishments, proud of my children, but I, like you, have my every day struggles.  I think the more self-confidence we have, the less we’ll allow ourselves to feel lesser than or not equal to our peers we connect with through social media.

Next time you see your friend’s rock hard abs or her perfect children, just remember that she has her own personal struggles she faces every day. Just be happy. Happy for your friend, thankful for your life- successes and failures alike.

ALWAYS KEEP IT REAL.

Materials: Mama Elephant Stamps (Say What), Papertrey Ink (Watercolor Wonder), Studio Calico Mask (Burst), Colorbox Spray Ink & Dye Ink for Stephanie Barnard (Bubblebum), Crate by Maggie Holmes Die-cut Typewriter, Washi Tape, Papertrey Ink White Cardstock, My Mind’s Eye Enamel Dots, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper’s Big Brush Pen (Black), Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L (3D foam squares black small)