Hey guys! ✨
I was scrolling through Instagram a couple of months ago (that’s revealed how long it took me to type this out 🙈😂) and every so often I was met with a photo that made me wonder how a person can have the time to fit so much into one day ⏳
It led me to question: why don’t I have the time to do that? It’s very easy to think “why” and “how” but the simple answer is that we are all given the same amount of time it’s just our ability that defines what we get done and what we are willing to do within those 24 hours. It might not match up to the high standard we set ourselves (after watching others with an eagle eye) but we can set a new goal and either be at it or work our way towards it.
This was all very difficult to accept as someone with a chronic illness who doesn’t have complete control over how the day goes and I feel like I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I have to pace in order to make the most out of each day. But it helps inspire me to do all the things that I want to do when I am well and able.
That is all that those people I see on Instagram are doing (living their lives seemingly getting more done), I just need to remember that not every day has to be (or is) like that in reality. The bad stuff is very rarely shown on Instagram but it still exists and so it can only be a good thing when a positive moment/experience is shared as that creates more in turn and makes others (like me) want to do the same.
For me, I think a huge contribution to this feeling is the fact that I’m not on Instagram a lot/don’t choose to share as much about my life on there so I notice the gap between myself and those that do. This gap makes me think that I have done nothing just because I haven’t shared it when this is really just my forgetfulness coming into play.
Perhaps in the past when I posted on Instagram someone might have looked at my profile and asked the same question, it’s all one big cycle and another way we can intentionally put ourselves down by thinking we aren’t doing enough when we are honestly doing the best that we can.
From here on out I’m going to use the question “how do they find the time?” to motivate myself when I have the time. I’m going to take notice of what could possibly be and I will make it happen through learning how to pace better 💫 😂
Thank YOU for reading! Have any thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments below and I hope you have a lovely day 💕
Elsie LMC 
Here’s my takeaway from all of this: IG is NOT an obligation. You aren’t obligated to post new content, or write long posts. You should do these things only if you want to do them. Same with blogging and any other hobbies. Trying to keep up with everyone else is mentally exhausting. Save your energy for what matters.💕
Many of us who have IG accounts think that we “have” to do these things. This is an illusion. Several people who don’t have IG accounts are living happy lives with [probably] more time to spare. Pick two or three things that you absolutely must have in your life (that don’t stress you out) and ditch the rest. So if IG is important to you, then keep it along with blogging. However, if you are using 5+ different platforms, let a couple of them go. You don’t need all of these platforms feel fulfilled, trust me.
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I completely see where you are coming from and it is interesting to get another perspective on it all ✨ Definitely understand that no one is obligated to post content or write long posts, it is the platform that I am the least on and I think that is why my viewpoint is this way. I go away for ages and when I press on the app everything just comes at me all at once so it’s a bit overwhelming. I don’t choose to share a lot so I see the gap between myself and those that do and think of it like this when in reality we all get things done but not all of us share them so for me I tend to forget what has happened and think that nothing has at all through not having that photo if that makes sense? If I didn’t have such a bad memory then maybe it wouldn’t effect me the way it does. Yeah I think if there was any one social I would ditch it would be Instagram because it doesn’t excite me as much as the others do but I enjoy seeing updates from friends too much and in that way the benefits by far outweigh the cons 💫 Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! ❤️
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I feel like if they were your true friends, they would still update you offline. Sadly, as soon as we disappear from social media, we no longer receive the updates like we once did when we were connected (what I discovered anyways). Updates from friends are nice but doesn’t that tie into the social comparison game? Besties or not, we’re still comparing ourselves deep down and I feel like IG feeds on this desire we have to know what’s happening in the world 24/7 which makes the comparison game even more stimulating and potentially harmful to our well-being. 🙇♀️
One thing you mentioned in particular is having a lot to scroll through every time when you use the app. I feel like this is IG’s way of making you stay on their platform. One thing you could try doing muting 75% of the people you follow (keep friends on newsfeed, mute acquaintances). They will never know you muted them and you won’t see them in your feed. The following/unfollowing numbers will stay the same! It’s a breath of fresh air not having to see everyone and everything on the newsfeed all the time. Perhaps this will help with the overwhelm. 🌺
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That’s so true! I don’t really fall into comparing when it’s a friend as other stuff becomes more important and my mind isn’t left idle. Instagram definitely does that! That’s such a good idea, I will have to look into doing that, thank you! 💕
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I don’t believe they always have the time. Someone I know who is really into instagram recycles his photos. I know this because he has a bit of furniture in the background that he hasn’t had since December. I’m convinced he is just photoshop / editing some of the other things in the photo to make it look fresh 🙂
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I hadn’t thought about recycled posts! That’s what I do sometimes, I build them up so that there is one for each post I plan on sharing on my blog and some of them are quite old 😂 Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! 💕
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It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others, especially on social media. Your definitely right about it being one big cycle. I used to compare myself to others and it’s not healthy. But social media can also be a good thing and can motivate and inspire, but it’s totally ok to do things at your own pace. Everyone lives different lives and experiences different things and that’s what makes us awesome and unique! 😊✨
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That is all so true! I wish I could come to see most things as clear as I do when I realize stuff like this if that makes sense? ✨ Let’s hold on to the good side of it and continue to be motivated and inspired! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts lovely 💕
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You are so right! Instagram just only shows the good. I love to share the real life. I also think I don’t do enough sometimes when I do because living with anxiety is hard like you are living with a chronic illness. Many people will not understand but I do. We are doing the best we can 💖
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Thank you Christina ✨💕xx
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I also know our self esteem can really take a nose dive when we compare ourselves to other people. We are not created to run someone else’s race. We can only run our own.
God made you, you, and he did it for a reason. You have something to offer just being you.
God bless you.
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Thank you Yala, that really puts things into perspective 💕
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