We all get “up-close and personal” accounts of others and their success on social media. It’s nearly overwhelming, we get SO much information and images on a single scroll that it’s easy to log off feeling worse than before. Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed that we don’t even want to try to live our own life as the bar is set so artificially high.

Remember that it’s all a highlight reel, staged, the best of the best, with filters, photoshop and so on. It’s not reality, it’s a prescribed one. But it DOES have a certain power, all photographs do–so we need to keep that in mind. Setting boundaries for your well being is one of the best ways to circumvent this…remember it’s a form of entertainment. Just like you don’t believe the people in the movie really die in the death seen, you don’t have to buy into the images you see.

Appreciate the beauty or whatever it is they are trying to sell, but don’t allow it to go into your heart and soul. Say, “I like her hair or that jacket,” and leave it there. Don’t go on to compare your hair to the fashion blogger’s, or her closet to yours. That’s the trick. Just say “oh that’s cute, or I’d like to buy those shoes now” and swipe up all you want–but put the fence right there. If you manage your boundaries and set them, they will serve you well. They will keep you from falling into a deep depression after watching someone else’s highlight reel. Remember those people have bad days too, struggles you have no idea about, broken relationships, and pain that they may never share. We are all people right now, and as far as I know– no one gets along in life without PAIN, DISAPPOINTMENT, people being rude to them, hurting them, etc. I think if you knew their whole story, you’d rather have your life at the end of the day then theirs.

The important part, is you. Keep being you, because you are unique, a masterpiece, never before and never will be again–you.  A wonderful, amazing miracle– PUT YOUR NAME HERE.  Allow others to inspire you, let them be a spring board to you and go farther, do more and excel past where they are…but never, ever, let a picture make you feel bad.

So next time you are feeling a bit down, remember that the best place you can go from there is UP. Live your own best life. Enjoy the moments YOU have, breath it all in and relish it–it’s all yours already.

Huge hugs,