Who Do You Want to be on Social Media?
Earlier this week my husband posted this photo on Instagram.
My response: “Ugh. I don’t like that photo. My alignment is wonky and I’m not even doing a proper handstand. Why did you post it?”
His response: “All I see is you in your element playing around with your family. I think it’s a great photo.”
Ooof. Way to call me out on my harsh inner critic. Where I saw all the shortcomings, he saw the beauty. I had been chiggedy checked by my husband (aren’t they great for that sort of thing?).
Just yesterday I woke up to a bunch of Facebook notifications. I had just hit a promotion with Beautycounter and my mentor posted on my page to congratulate me.
My first reaction: “Ahh! Why did she do that? I’m uncomfortable and embarrassed!”
My next reaction: “Actually, I’m excited and proud. This is a big part of my life and a huge passion project of mine. Why shouldn’t that information be shared?” This time I was able to check myself.
Because who I am isn’t something to be ashamed of.
In the age of social media, I think it’s hard not to get caught up in the perfectly curated image. Social media has become a platform: our soapbox, our public broadcast, a way to be heard. It’s an opportunity for us to say THIS IS WHO I AM, WORLD. But it’s also an avenue to judge, criticize, second guess, overanalyze, and critique. And as my husband pointed out—we are indeed our own worst critics.
With each passing day I become more comfortable...no, scratch that...more willing to sit in the discomfort as I share my most vulnerable self with others. Hopefully this opens up the path for others to do the same.
After all, that’s what life is about...right?
Enjoying the simple moments (tooling around in the woods with my family).
Being our most authentic self and sharing that self with others (I work for a company called Beautycounter and I freaking love it!). Celebrating who we are (I’m a mom, a wife, I run my own business, and I’m a crazy loon who’s way too passionate for her own good!).
It’s not about curating the perfect social media image. Truly.
I write this blog today to tell you: People want to see you. They don’t want to see some watered down version of you, or some gussied up version of you. Just you. In all your glorious imperfections. Because who you are isn’t something to be ashamed of. So share who you are, versus what you think people want you to be. The world needs more of this. The world needs more YOU.
You be you. xo
