If you’ve followed me for at least a little while, then you know I try to keep it real on here. That means posting about the not-so-good, the really good and everything in between. And while I’ve touched on iffy topics (i.e. my sobriety, the lowest point in my life, the baby blues, and mom guilt, etc.) you will still sense a hint of positivity in each post.
I include it not to sugar coat anything, though. I do so because being an optimist, albeit a cautious one, is a choice I make. The silver lining, the rainbow … I choose to believe those exist every time. It’s just a part of who I am.
A recent Washington Post article by Sarah Pulliam Bailey discussed how “the mom internet” has evolved into a less authentic one. She wrote, “During the tough moments, I wanted a mommy blogger’s reassurance: ‘I’ve been there. It’s awful. You will survive.’”
I believe that the version of the mom internet that she was yearning for still exists. Actually, I know it does because I follow bloggers who give that reassurance and I try to do the same. While I will agree that a lot of social media and blog land is now staged, I think it is important to (1) realize photos are staged because blogs are a business for many bloggers and (2) be conscious about who you are following so that you are still getting glimpses into real life, if that’s what you want/need. I also think it’s important to note that many mom blogs also cover a bunch of other topics (fashion, travel, home decor, etc.)… I think that’s because we can all agree while being a mother is a huge part of one’s identity, it’s not anyone’s sole identity.
That being said, it is never my intention to make others feel lesser than or worse about themselves or their situations. With much talk on Instagram recently about the comparison game and how it’s led to depression and even suicide, I think it’s essential to keep in mind that all aspects of anyone’s life are not portrayed on the internet. (It might seem like we have it all together on the internet but does anyone really??)
I don’t bare it all on the internet or social media and I don’t expect other bloggers to, either. Isn’t that pretty normal, to remain a bit private? Isn’t it also normal to not want to complain all the time? I mean, sure, life and motherhood, especially, has its tough moments but those are so much fewer and far between (for me, at least) than the great, precious, love-filled moments.
