The Reality of Instagram.
Recently, I've been upping my Instagram game. I've been putting more effort into taking beautiful pictures at beautiful locations. I've always try to do something exciting on a weekly basis, but I've been trying to take more pictures of everything I do. I've been quite proud of what my Instagram page has become.
While I appreciate every single new follow I gain, I'm honestly not doing it for the followers. It's something I've definitely come to enjoy. I love looking at all the pretty pictures I've taken or that's been taken of me that remind me of all these amazing memories that come with them.
I've actually had a few messages on my Instagram direct messages, asking me "how do I have the money to travel as much as I do?", "I'm so lucky to have such a great life", "you always look so happy/you always look like you're having fun". Now until I received those messages, I always thought it was common knowledge that Instagram is everyone's highlight reels.
I mean some people are way more transparent with their feelings online than others. Some people use different social media sites for different reasons. I tend to use my blog or my twitter to be way more transparent about how I'm feeling about life, instead of using my Instagram. There's no right or wrong answer, at the end of the day it's your account.
I will use this post in order to answer some of your questions. Firstly, there is no secret to how I travel so much. I work, save money, and find inexpensive tickets for travels so I can spend money when I actually get to my location. I do live at home, so I don't spend money on rent or utilities like some people do. Other than that, there is no special secret. I just work hard and save money.
Another thing I want to talk about is the fact that while I consider myself to be extremely blessed in life, and I am very happy with where my life is right now, my Instagram shows the best moments of my days. There are days where I feel down or anxious or moody, and I never show those moments, so while I still consider myself "lucky", my life isn't perfect. No one's is.
I've already mentioned this above, but I just want to make sure I'm clear. While I'm recording those videos for my story and taking those pictures that posting, I am happy and having the time of my life, but that's not how I am all the time. I'm not always camera ready. There are moments where I don't look cute (very far from it a lot of the time). What my Instagram may look like, is not the reality. I don't want you to compare yourself to my "Instagram life" or anyone else's. It's not real! At least not the full reality of someone's life. You only see what we want you to see.
I've had this on my mind a lot recently, specially since I've been gaining more followers on Instagram and have been getting a few of those messages! I wanted to be extremely clear with you guys, and make sure that you don't compare your life to someone's highlights.
How do you feel about this whole thing? Have you ever compared your life to someone's social media highlight reel? If you have let me know in the comments below!
As always, I hope you guys have a wonderful day/night. Sending you love, strength, and positivity. Talk to you guys soon!
-Melina xx
Love the post!! Thank you so much for the tips!! Also totally dont know how I wasn't following you on insta but totally following you now!!
Omg, what's your name? I'll definitely follow you back! xxx
It's 'angelkphoto'!!! Thank you!!!! 💗💗
I love this! I also just thought it was common knowledge that instagram is a highlights reel. I never look at someones instagram and think that their life must be perfect. I would love to be able to travel more, but thats not a reality in my life. We all have good and bad things in life, it shouldn't be assumed that we don't. Loved this post! xx
http://zoe-ware.com
Exactly, people shouldn't assume that some people don't have bad things happening in other people's lives! I'm glad you're not one of those people who views the reality of instagram through rose-colored glasses. Thank you so much for reading and commenting ! xx
I love this post so, so much Melina. I think it's so easy to forget, whenever you are scrolling down instagram, that everyone highlights their best moments and may not mention the bad moments. Everyone highlights their trips, but don't mention the months spent at work earning the money and not doing very exciting things, trying to save up for that next trip (that's me right now haha). I definitely am guilty of comparing my life to others on instagram especially, where everything is so gorgeous and shiny and I kind of even feel guilty whenever I am not posting too much, because my life isn't that glamorous or travel-worthy or anything like that at the moment? I know it is not good to feel this way and I am definitely trying to stop, it's a work in progress haha 🙂 <3
As long as you're working on yourself, and reminding yourself that Instagram is no one's reality, that's good:) Sometimes it's hard not to get caught up in all the glamour, money, and shiny things, but it's good to keep yourself in check! It could be so toxic to constantly compare yourself to something that isn't realistic (even to the actual poster)! Thanks you so much for reading, and giving me your own experience with Instagram xx
Yes exactly - it quickly gets overwhelming and, well, not really great for my mental health to constantly do that. I am trying my best to remind myself that it's not reality constantly, in order to feel better about it all 🙂
You're welcome! 😀
I think it's so natural to look at other people's lives and compare. I've compared my life to big influencers before, whether they travel or have great clothes or post nothing but selfies. Like I've seen accounts and thought oh, why are there photos much better?
It is a bad habit though and I try to think about the bigger picture. I do have to say, you have a beautiful smile and you always look happy and smiley in photos. In a really natural way. Great post girl! xx
I used to compare myself to everyone about everything. More recently though, I follow less accounts and only ones that don't make me feel bad. I follow travel accounts to see where I want to travel to next. I look at clothing to see what clothing stores I should check out their clothing. I'm using instagram more as a tool to improve myself and motivate me, instead of a tool of comparison. I'm glad I look naturally happy in my photos:)! Thanks for reading and commenting! xxx
That's a great way of viewing. This way, Instagram is useful and actually positive! xx