Insta vs Reality

Now, boys and girls, it's time to teach you the lesson of how everyone you see on Instagram isn't all that it's cracked up to be.


Behind every selfie, there are hidden insecurities, secret battles or concealed hints of self-doubt.
I look at myself and see flaws and imperfections that I wish to keep away from the prying eyes of Insta users. There's that anticipated fear of being judged for the way I look, I can't be the only person who feels this way.


It's so important to remember that everything may not be as it seems on social media, especially Instagram. They say that a picture paints a thousand words, more often than not they're filled with hesitancy, timidity and sometimes deceit.


What I mean by that is, a few pictures that are posted on Instagram, whether it be a friend, an influencer or a celebrity may allow everyone to believe that they have this perfect, flawless, Barbie-esque lifestyle, but it's not necessarily true all of the time. I always aim to try and be as honest as I can with my followers on Instagram, if I'm in a hella evil mood, I'll let you know. If I'm not doing great mentally, I'll let you know. If I'm in a fantabulous mood, again, I'll let you know. If people say that their life is so perfect, believe me, they're not telling the complete truth. No life is perfect, I certainly know mine isn't! And I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to admit that. However, I do scroll through my Instagram feed and find myself feeling a little jealous and even a little bitter about what some people I follow are up to. I end up suffering from comparisonitis.

Insta vs Reality
Insta vs Reality
The comparison game that is played on a daily basis can be a real bitch on our mental health. There's no need to explain the rules of the game, we all do it, surely? I'm a guilty player of the game, I have done for so many years. I can't tell you the number of times I've scrolled through my Instagram feed and seen photo's of people, then automatically think why can't I be like that? Why can't I look like that? Well, you get the idea, the comparison game is a shit game.


I made it a mission this year that I would try and stop the whole comparison thing, unfortunately, I have not been too successful with it so far. Well, I've still got half the year left to achieve that goal, you better pray for me that I do reach that goal!

Insta vs Reality
Insta vs Reality
The point of this post? Don't be fooled by all that you see on Instagram. I fell in love with Instagram because I liked sharing my favourite memories I had made for everyone to see. They may not have been terribly exciting, but they meant something to me. Nowadays, we're all caught up in trying to post pictures that paint us to be something we're not. It's incredibly sad to think that we've allowed ourselves to become this way. Insta vs reality do not go hand in hand, well, not anymore they don't.
16 comments
  1. This is such a brave and strong post.
    Nobody understands when you post a photo on instagram the struggles or fights that person is battling.
    You're so strong and brave to showcase that.
    Well done you, brilliant post!

    Luke | www.lukeheywoodstyle.co.uk

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  2. The comparison game just ruins people. And honestly, for self esteem and self love, not much good has come out of Instagram, especially now we can edit whatever we want. I'll post a photo on Insta with a nice up-beat caption and just feel like an absolute fraud sometimes!

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

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    1. That’s exactly how I feel Jenny! I feel like such a liar when posting on Instagram sometimes!

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  3. I commented on this earlier! It's amazing what we can show on the surface but hide what's truly going on. I'm just happy posting what I want and go along with it. I like to be the more reality side (hence my blog name!)

    Vanessa | therealnessonline.com

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    1. That's how it should be - being happy posting what you want!

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  4. This is such a great post Lucy! I've definitely compared myself to others on Instagram in the past but more so for their achievements rather than appearance. It's taken time but I'm getting to a point where I don't do it as frequently now! x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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  5. I am constantly scrolling through Instagram and looking at all these amazingly perfect people and sometimes it does get me down but then I realise that these people are probably thinking the same as me, nobody is perfect. I love the image you put on Instagram! X

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    1. That’s right Aaliyah! I’d be very surprised if they said that they had the perfect lifestyle! x

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  6. Great post, there is so many issues with this type of social media, that shows us how to be perfect and not expect that we all have problems and flaws with ourselfs and just be who we are.

    I think we need to send this type of message on these social media outlets, instead of the ones that are presently on there

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. We all paint this picture that our lives are perfect Nic, which is quite sad that we have conformed to this just to please our followers x

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  7. This is brilliant! You've captured the pitfalls of Instagram. I endeavour to be as honest as possible on Instagram as a lot of feeds become highlight reels. Yes, it's nice to post memories etc. on there but I think it's nice when it's a real memory and not loads of photos taken just for Instagram X

    Megan | https://meganelizabethlifestyle.com/

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    1. Thank you Megan! I completely agree Megan, post the ones that are going to remembered for a lifetime, not just for 5 minutes! x

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  8. Loved this post so much. I completely relate, and I appreciate your transparency and authenticity :)

    https://www.chicnpink.com

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