So it’s happened again. I’ve become one of those people who only reveals the portions of my life that are lovely and pleasant and pretty. My daughter smiling for the camera with a fun bun and babycino. A delicious meal for one on a weekend in Melbourne. A carefully created Yum Box for my daughters kindy lunch.
What you don’t know about these little bite sized portions of my life?
I had to promise Ava a special treat to sit through Rhyme Time at the library with her younger sister Chloe.
That delicious looking meal for one on a weekend in Melbourne? It came about after I had to leave a restaurant where I had been seated alone at a table for four, overhearing the couple next to me at a table for two commenting ‘Oh look, she’s taken a big table for herself’.
When I offered to swap tables with them they declined. I felt so awkward and uncomfortable I cancelled my order and left the restaurant, feeling very deflated, missing my girls back in Perth and wondering what the hell I was doing in Melbourne by myself (hubby was working) on a quick trip to relax and catch up on much needed sleep.
And while my beautifully created Yum Boxes that I make a few times a week for my girls are lots of fun and look pretty, they make up for the fact that sometimes lunch and dinner is a hastily made tasting plate of whatever is in the fridge or cheese and vegemite on toast.
Recently I had someone reply to a a tweeted picture of a Yum Box I’d made saying ‘Can you please start posting pics of you in your PJ’s at lunch time and Ava’s lunch of stale bread and vegemite?’.
I hear you!
We all want to present to the world our life of sunshine, rainbows and lollipops. I am no exception.
I wrote a post last year called Keeping It Real , and I’m sorry my lovely readers – but it appears I haven’t done a very good job at keeping it real.
I never want to complain because I know how lucky I am to have a beautiful, healthy family. I don’t want to whinge about the fact that I’ve only had a few broken hours sleep, yet again. Or that I am feeling frazzled with a mountain of washing and ironing. Or that I have been a tired, grumpy Mummy rather than the calm, patient, fun, playful Mumma that I want to be.
Instagram and social media in general can make us feel both amazing and pretty crappy at the same time. A flash of a perfectly sculpted body in a bikini on a tropical holiday. Happy snaps of a family at Disney land. A Michelin star meal.
Even now while I’m scrolling through Instagram, there are visions of delicious home made cakes, happy families out for lunch and effortlessly styled outfits.
My own Instagram feed this weekend includes a sunrise over Perth, Chloe’s colourful room and a giant pear! (ha ha! I know – clearly I was starting to go stir crazy at home).
The reality of my weekend is that my hubby is away, and I’ve been on my own with two sick little poppets who have been up through the night with fever, crying and coughing fits. There are toys everywhere and an overflowing washing and ironing basket.
Ava is super clumsy from being unwell and keeps falling over hurting herself and crying ‘I just want my Daddddyyyyyy!!!!’ but at the same time doesn’t want me to stop cuddling her.
Meanwhile, Chloe’s nose is streaming and I have to keep madly dashing to stop her smearing it all over the floor.
But you won’t see pics of that. It’s not pretty or fun. It’s just very real.
A friend of mine recently sent me this fantastic Marie Claire article ‘Do You Have Instagram Envy?‘.
I can safely say that most of us would grudgingly admit we have. It’s hard not to see glimpses of other people lives and look longingly at them.
But we never know what’s REALLY going on in people’s lives. A lot of social media is based on assumption and perception.
Those designer heels that someone’s just popped up a picture of? They might have only tried them on in a shoe store.
That seemingly effortless and gorgeous ‘outfit of the day’ snap? It took two hours of prep work, staking out a great location, the right light and twenty takes.
Happy snaps from a luxurious and exotic holiday? That trip might be made each year on the anniversary of the death of a loved one.
It’s really important to remember what we are seeing are glimpses of the very best parts of people days and lives, and we can’t compare our ordinary everyday moments with those little slivers of extraordinary.
No one’s life is without some kind of struggle or heartache, and sometimes we need to look past all the pretty pictures and realise that things might not be as rosy as they seem.
At the same time we should also take a moment to be truly grateful for what we have in our own lives.
Family. Friends. Good Health. Laughter. Love. Fabulous shoes!
While I won’t be posting pictures of my overflowing laundry basket any time soon, I will certainly include the ‘behind the scenes’ story behind my happy snaps, because that’s real life and it’s what makes the highlight reel moments so amazing!
Here’s to keeping it real (again!) lovelies!
A x x x x x
Have you ever had a moment where everything wasn’t as rosy as it seemed?
What’s your take on social media? Are you a happy snapper too? Or do you think it’s all a bit silly and self indulgent?
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Really liked this post, Amy. Definitely relatable stories you shared! Agreed, you don’t want to look or sound like you’re ungrateful, but you want to be honest too! I love being inspired by people’s beautiful insta feeds, but I do remind myself that it is generally the best bits we all show : ) xx
Oh so true! Tricky to find a balance between real and inspiring sometimes! A x x x
Wow!! Your amazing Amy, Go you!! Love ready your blog, your an inspiring lady! Xxx
Awww, thank you so much Maria! Cheers for stopping by. A x x x
I am a happy snapper and I love Instagram (I’m 1onthesunnyside). I couldn’t agree with you more and was chatting about this with a friend earlier in the week – about how you all only see carefully selected, heavily edited, tiny little patches of what’s going on. Even my bald chemo pics are as positive as I can make them. I didn’t include the three hours I spent crying while the nurses tried to find veins, instead I posted a funny bald pic with me grinning madly. I think we all try to present the best version of ourselves / kids / lives and there’s nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it’s nice to see a pic of someone else’s overflowing laundry basket, tantrum throwing kid, overgrown lawn and sink full of dishes and feel that you’re not the only one struggling to get through.
Oh gosh – look at you go! Finding funny moments even in the midst of chemo. That’s a tough road. I went through it with my Nan. Stories like yours give us all a great big reality check, sending you much love for your journey in beating cancer. A x x x
It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one! Fifo hubby went away for the w/end with his mate leaving me (exhausted from a massive work week and with pregnancy induced all day vomiting) home with an overtired, constipated 3yo, yay me. So out of the house we went to a play centre where Miss 3 decided to have a complete explosion of screaming, tears and shouting she wanted Daddy to the point I had to take her outside to calm her down. 2 separate cars stopped to ask if they needed to call the police and several other people gave me “those” disapproving looks. Coloxl & a big feed of veg fixed the 3yo & a night of playing in my kitchen, scoffing scones with tunes cranked fixed mummy. The important part is, we survive each day and as long as we can have a giggle or pour a cuppa and sit for 5 to escape the stress and chill in the “land of happy and perfect” on IG, then it’s all good. So you keep going posting happiness and perfection, its my therapy and reminds me what we’re all capable of xxx
Oh wow! What a weekend for you! Pregnant, working and a constipated three year old. That’s full on! These moments and days make us realise we’re tougher than we think we are. Take care of you lovely and all the best for the rest of your pregnancy! A x x x
Love your behind the scenes posts 🙂
But I also know that behind every gorgeous pic on Instagram is ‘reality’. And the truth is – we don’t really want to see reality all the time on social media. Same as we don’t want to see it in magazines. Humans are funny aren’t they?
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Oh Ami … What an amazing girl you are…Cheers Chris x
Awweeeeeeee, thank you! A x x x
You’re so right! I was thinking that exact same thing today, we all want to see the ‘ideal’ not so much the real. We are very funny creatures!! A x x x x
Amy, I love this post!
You know I love Instagram and yes, everyone and anyone knows about posing photos, good light, selfies etc these days but I tend to scroll quickly through a lot of the **ap and find myself feeling most connected and enjoying the ones that are from girls who are ‘real’ and really help you get a sense that things aren’t staged’ with them. The stories behind the pictures are much more interesting! Can’t say I’d want to see their laundry baskets but I can only imagine that everyone’s is overflowing since they’d rather be IG’ing than ironing! Not silly and self-indulgent at all! 🙂
Emma recently posted…Kindy Lunch Ideas
I’m so happy to hear it’s not just me who’s laundry basket is overflowing 😉 Thanks so much for your lovely comment Em. A x x x
Amen! ???? Yes we all post pics of those happy times because really, who wants to remember that the ironing wasn’t done or dinner was a complete disaster because your (nearly) 2 year old was pulling at your leg and it burnt on the bottom. Maybe Fatmumslim needs to have a 30 day keeping it real photo challenge. PJs at lunchtime, leftover dinners, toy room explosions!
Just a thought ????
How funny would that be? Our vegemite and cheese toasties would have gone down a treat with that tonight! 😉 x x x
Amy, I love this post!
You know I love Instagram and yes, everyone and anyone knows about posing photos, good light, selfies etc these days but I tend to scroll quickly through a lot of the **ap and find myself feeling most connected and enjoying the ones that are from girls who are ‘real’ and really help you get a sense that things aren’t staged’ with them. The stories behind the pictures are much more interesting! Can’t say I’d want to see their laundry baskets but I can only imagine that everyone’s is overflowing since they’d rather be IG’ing than ironing! Not silly and self-indulgent at all! 🙂
Emma recently posted…Kindy Lunch Ideas
Oh I have done a weird thing replying below, anyway I can’t work out how to delete it and my ipad is cracked (yes thanks to the kids- how’s that for keeping it real) – but I totally agree with this post. I’d love a 30 day keeping it real challenge – you should start it Amy!
Emma recently posted…Kindy Lunch Ideas
What a fantastic post lovely Amy! Well done!!!
It’s very easy to show off on the social media who you want to be, and not actually who you are and what you are going through, what is really real! It’s like “selling” your photos for as many “likes” as you can have! Who doesn’t like that perfect designer bag with a beautiful outfit, and the perfect photo with so many filters just to show people how good you look!!!!
I love the way you keep it real, and this post says exact the way I think – I even showed it to my husband who couldn’t agree more with every single word you wrote on this post!
I was in the city on Saturday and I though “oh it would be good to see Amy here”!!!! 🙂
Much love xxx
Oh thanks Juliana, and I am almost always in the city on weekends… shame I didn’t get to meet you! Thanks so much for stopping by. A x x x
OMG another mommy blogger who thinks she has something new or important to say that hasn`t been said a 100 times before. So you post pretty dress, hair, sunset and yumbox pics. Your kids have got colds, hubby works away, you lack sleep & had to dine alone – so what we all do that, get over yourself. Your blog is silly & self indulgent and all your lovely readers me included are indebted to you for keeping it real AGAIN. Now go and be a calm mumma and maybe wipe your bubbas nose, or perhaps come up with something original for your next blog.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Maddy (or Janbub???). Perhaps you could share ideas on writing original blog posts with us? Here’s an idea for you – if you don’t enjoy my blog, then I suggest you don’t read it in future. x x x
Well handled Amy. X
Where’s the LIKE button on your response. Well done Amy.
Jules recently posted…Grease the Musical
Boy did I need to read that post! Right then right there you hit they nail on the head! As a new mum to a beautiful 12week old girl I was just telling my husband I was feeling like a failure today. Failure because I have been having trouble feeding her lately. Failure because I have housework piling up that I can’t keep on too of. Failure because I am not wanting to go back to work and a failure because I haven’t managed to shift the baby weight! On the plus side, baby is asleep, and I did manage to make cookies good for the soul not so good for the baby weight thanks for reminding me that life isn’t perfect and that’s ok.
Oh gosh I think so many of us know that feeling. You are amazing because you grew and gave birth to a baby AND you baked cookies!!! Once you become a mum, it’s so important to celebrate the small victories and special moments. A x x x
I have nothing to say other than thank you ????. I often do compare, forgetting the reality behind the images people let you see. Then i have days like today. I just had an amazing day with my boys. Which reminded me that regardless of what i ‘think’ we don’t have I know I am truly blessed and now your blog just topped it of. So thank you.
Oh how good are those days? I had one of those recently too. Happy, beautiful, wonderful days where your kids are happy and that means you are too. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing day with your boys. A x x x
Awwww lovely post … Xxxx
Thanks Ems. Bali!!!! A x x x x x
What a perfect post! But I don’t think you need to apologise for not “keeping it real”. You are human and of course want to show the best of your days and I just call that being positive. Love your posts! Please don’t change a thing. You saying you didn’t get much sleep some nights is keeping it real enough for me 🙂 🙂
Thanks Carly! And the whole sleep thing (or lack thereof) has been my greatest challenge these past few years. What I left out of my post is that we just got a sleep consultant in last week with new sleep rules, they seem to be working a treat even with Ava being a sick little poppet. YAY!! A x x x
I often read your posts and think wow Amy lives a whole different world to me, but I have also realised that what you said is true, we don’t really share our true selves on social media and i have no idea about your home life, I can imagine sometimes you feel quite lonely, especially with Baz away most weekends. I have found myself slowly pulling away from social media as I do find it stressful sometimes. Thanks for keeping it real today.
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Hi Lisa, thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, I also pull back from social media on occasion… and while I do have a lot to be very grateful for, it can get a bit tricky and lonely being on my own on weekends during footy season – but not unlike the thousands of FIFO families and partners of people who travel for work! A x x x
Love this!!! Thank you Amy for making me feel like a ‘normal’ mum… I’ve had a horrid week also with 2 sick babies and a hubby who has man flu! Despite me catching the cold I’ve still had to play nurse to my boys and keep a household going…. It’s nice to know there’s others out there juggling the day to day life of a mother, wife and superwoman!
Ouch! That’s so awful being unwell and having to look after your sick family. I hope you all get much better soon. A x x x
I applaud you Amy for writing this article.
I think everyone parent, every person needs to read it.
It’s so true, we don’t want to seem like we are whinging or being ungrateful so we only post the good stuff.
So people look at our lives and think everything is perfect but the reality no one, no person ever has the perfect life.
We all have good & bad days.
I am a happy snapper but I have struggles and my life isn’t perfect.
Love social media, I have met the best people that way that have helped me so much in different areas of my life.
I just think we need articles like yours to remind us of the truth. Just because we don’t air our struggles in public doesn’t mean we don’t have any.
Jac xx
Jacinta aka Retro Mumma from Australian Kids Directory recently posted…Xanadu Wines, Margaret River
Oh how good is Insta for meeting the best people? I feel exactly the same! And you’ve totally hit the nail on the head. Just because we don’t air our struggles doesn’t mean we don’t have any. Thanks so much for stopping by Jac! A x x x
Great post Amy. I always say you never know what goes on behind closed doors, every family has their own challenges and ours is the never ending pile of washing and work/family balance that always leaves us in a constant state of guilt. I stood in my laundry this morning and seriously thought about posting a picture of muddy football shorts and yoghurt smeared bibs. But that would be too real right? Keep up the great work; you guys are doing a fab job of raising that little family. We are all in it together. X
I’ve closed the door on my laundry today – I’ll deal with it tomorrow!! Thanks so much for stopping by Jo! A x x x
Completely agree that social media is a perception of what you want people to see. It is even more so if you’re in the public eye or business. There are so many times I’ve wanted to post an situation or opinion, actually spent ages wording it, but then deleted and moved on. I can’t risk my business relations with government over an opinion I have that might not sit well with the incumbent government.
It is really important that someone with your status keeps it real, within reason. I think most of us realise that a hubby that works away with two young kids is a tough gig. Your photos are something most of us attain to have, but I can honestly say I will never ever have a bento box looking that good!! Take care.
I hear you, my hubby always tells me to think about posts and comments on social media in terms of if I’d want it published in the newspaper. That often puts my point of view into perspective! Sometimes it’s not such a bad thing to censor our opinions, but it’s refreshing to keep it real too. Finding the right balance is what’s tricky! A x x x x
Aww you’re freshening & honest – that’s why I love your blog!
Oh wow, thanks so much Shae!!!! A x x x
What a great, honest post! A friend of mine had a breakdown recently and a main cause was social media unfortunately. She never felt good enough and found out things about people that should have been kept quiet. It’s all to easy to think everyone’s lives look so rosy isn’t it? I wish more people would keep it real, after all everyone’s kids have tantrums…don’t they? 🙂
That’s really sad to hear lovely. I can see how that could happen though. Every now and then I have to step away too because it makes me feel not so great. Thanks so much for reading my post and I hope your friend recovers very soon. A x x x Ps. And yes, everyones kids have tantrums!! x x
Dear Amy, Firstly let me say WOW you handled Maddy’s views in a calm, professional but firm manner. Secondly you are an amazing wife and mother too two beautiful girls and you do not need to apologize for ‘not keeping it real on your blog, instagram or any other social media platform you currently use. Thirdly, to me you do keep it real and I know I’ve said this in the past but your blog is my sanctuary. I was feeling like a complete failure as a mum and woman until I stumbled across your blog. Although I dont know you personally your articles have really helped me as I went back to work full time 9 months after my beautiful son was born, was bullied by my employer daily for 18 months until I was given an ultimatium ‘resign or we will sack you’ hence I resigned in Nov 2013 and have been unemployed ever since. Due to the bullying I lost a significant amount of weight and became suicidal and the only reason I didnt follow through was because I didn’t want my son a) feeling guilty or that he was to blame and b) I didn’t want my son thinking his mum was weak. You are an anazing, talented, kind, warm and generous person and from one mum to another all that matters in this world is that you are adored and loved by the most important people in your life and Thank you for all that you post because there are people who visit your blog that think you are fantastic. Keep smiling and much love and sparkle to you. x x x
Oh Tracey, thank you so much for your beautiful, beautiful words and your honesty. I am so very sad to hear you’ve had a rough time, and that you hit rock bottom. I just want you to know you are strong and important and loved. I feel so humbled that you have found a sanctuary in my blog. I can’t tell you how much that means to me and it’s what gives me the drive to keep going with my blog on days when I think I’m being silly and self indulgent. Much love and sparkle right back at you! A x x x
What a great read. Yes, I hear you. I remember those days very well when my daughters were small. It is mighty hard work. As for the table, let those people go. I am so sorry you felt you had to leave, you should have stayed. I know it can be hard when you hear them talking like that and you offered them your seat and they declined. I am so sorry that they were like that. Chin up beautiful lady. V x
Vicki | Style On V recently posted…SUNDAY IS FOR THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
Oh thanks so much Vicki, and yes I love your advice – let it go!!! Thanks so much for your great advice. x x x
This has been my fave of your posts. In this case the truth sets everyone free from expectations that we can be perfect all of the time, which just isn’t achievable no matter how guilty we feel. Thanks, Amy!
Oh Dom, you are so right. The truth sets you free!! From one of my all time favourite TV series as a little girl, Ann of Green Gables. Thanks so much for stopping by. A x x x
Hi Amy, I too love reading your blog. And I love looking at pics of your gorgeous girls and clothes and yumbox creations. I am in the process (a forever interrupted process due to babies, work, life!!) of ordering a Yumbox and accessories to make my little miss 2 year olds lunch and snacks something a little more exciting!
It’s so hard keeping it real at times. I remember when I had my little girl and started at mothers group and at our first session, after introducing ourselves, our health nurse (who is THE BEST!) asked ‘who feels like they need to be super-woman – looking after baby, cooking, cleaning, keeping house…)?’. Nobody put their hand up. Yet us mums still catch up and have talked about that question and all said that we SO wanted to put our hands up but didn’t! We can’t all be wonder women all the time. Though we do do a pretty good job of it.
We own a small business here in Perth, in Scarborough, and we took over 2 weeks before my son was born. Life hasn’t been cruisey or ‘normal’ since. It’s been hectic, exciting, stressful, joyful, proud. At the same time, we’ve had a newborn to take care of, my husband works full time in the business, myself 3 days and sporadically on other days, and we have had a sick 2 year old on and off with tonsillitis, ear infections, croup. Sometimes I feel like we just can’t catch a break. Or at least our two year old can’t anyway. I don’t like to sound ungrateful because we work very hard and are doing an outstanding job, but I think sometimes you forget about that.
I love getting on Instagram and reading different blogs, yours included, for inspiration, and to support in a sense, through reading articles like ‘keeping it real’. It’s hard to remember that we all have bad days and weeks. I love nothing more sometimes than having a quiet day at home with the kids, in our pyjamas, cooking pikelets and just hanging out. It’s often after those days I feel ‘better’ again.
And we too have nights where it might be Weetbix for dinner because Miss 2 doesn’t want to eat our dinner! And bribery with baby cino’s and cakes – absolutely!! Whatever works!
Keep blogging, I love reading it, as do obviously many many other women out there. And I did meet you in the city on the long weekend at Dome, when you were with your folks. And it was a pleasure. I think you’re lovely and refreshing. xx
Oh it was so lovely to meet you! I remembered thinking how calm and in control you were having a little bubba and a two year old. Sounds like you’ve been through a really tough time with your daughter with ear infections, tonsillitis etc. Our Chloe Bear has croup at the moment and it’s just so awful. Thanks so much for stopping by lovely. A x x x
Here here gorgeous lady. I hear you and I am with you 100% perception is sometimes not realty. I may actually start instagramming pics of disasters at home including the laundry basket and the coffee I spilled everywhere this morning all over me and the entire kitchen and almost wept while Miss 5 tried to console me. Love your work Amy xox
Oh no, don’t you hate moments and days like that? Bless Miss 5 consoling you, what a beautiful little soul. A x x x
Of course we mostly want to share what’s lovely and new and beautiful and exciting in our lives. We’re sharing the best bits. The most inspiring. And yes, it’s also good to keep it real and share the not so glam moments…like me this morning, standing at the bus stop in the freezing cold and rain. We’d had a blackout, so no shower for me – I simply had to get dressed in the dark and head into work so I could do my makeup and buy some brekkie and a coffee! And yep, I shared that on Instagram! Meanwhile, I can’t wait to get home from work and have a hot shower!
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Oh babe, you must have been so cold! What a crappy way to start the day. Love how you always keep it real. A x x x x
Great article Amy! Although I did recently Instagram a pic of my overflowing washing basket!
Good for you Wendy!! That’s so refreshing and sometimes it helps the rest of us feel like we’re all in the same boat! x x x
I read Amy’s blogs. I don’t want to read about any hardship, illness, struggles. I want to see and hear about real high teas, real luncheons, real outfits for our Australian lifestyle, children’s clothes…….actually everything Amy said her blog was about. Yes, it is light . Good. Yes, everything is pretty. Good. Amy sounds kind and lovely; and i like that. If she is not genuine i would be upset. But there is no way Basil Zempilas would marry someone who was not genuine: he doesn’t have time for fools.
Thanks so much Sonia. I love your honesty and I really love that you take time to read my blog and comment. Big kisses and much love. A x x x
……pity you cannot edit comments. In case my post is not clear…it should read…” I want to read everything Amy said her blog would be, and is.”
Hi Amy!
I’m a new reader and fellow Perth-ite (is that even a word?) I hear you! Mum of four who does everything and I mean everything including keeping a clean and stylish house and and being fashionable at the sa
me time! While I don’ always post on instagram… I keep up the appearance that all is perfect! Soooo not the case, I am frazzled at the best of times.. Nice to heAr others in the same boat! Keep it real lovely! x
Oh wow, I applaud you! Having four kids would certainly keep you on your toes and life would never be boring! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time out of your very busy day to comment. A x x x
Thanks for keeping it real Amy. As mums, it’s so important to be honest with our families and friends about what’s really going on and to show our kids that life isn’t perfect. Despite what i see on social media, I always assume that things aren’t perfect and hope others know that about me too. With kids, the challenges, fatigue and flat out exhaustion are universal. I am always aware of not projecting “perfect” which is why my blog is not just about style but also the shenanigans – because the shenanigans are real and ever present! Thanks for sharing lovely! X
Oh how I love your blog name ‘Style and Shenanigans’! Sums it all up perfectly. Thanks so much for stopping by lovely. A x x x
How refreshing Amy ????
Thanks so much Annie! x x x
It’s funny when I consider how long it’s taken me to work out that sometimes there’s just no pleasing people. I recently had to make a very difficult business decision and was slammed via social media. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, or what positive influence you bring to the world, there’s always that hand full of people who just love to tear people down. It’s almost as though people are sometimes waiting for you to fail.
Admittedly I’ve only recently come across your blogs and find you quite refreshing. The thing is Amy people shouldn’t have to be ashamed of achievements or lifestyles. It’s not bragging or boasting, it’s your life. I personally think that people that can be truly honest have a beautiful transparency and that, in essence, is keeping it real! Love your style X
I’m sorry you were slammed by social media. It happened to me once when I mentioned how proud I was of my hard working hubby. It hurts and it’s unnecessary. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by. x x x x
Dear Amy
As you’ve seen from all the responses, no matter who we are in our public or private lives we as women mostly suffer the same condition. We want everyone to think we can do it all, have it all and be it all with a smile and graceful ease. The problem is that if everyone else seems to be maintaining this, then we feel that if we can’t that we are somehow failing as wives, mothers or friends. Sometime I feel that womens rights in a way has worked against us – yes we have the right to do it all – work, be a mother, be a wife we’ve earnt it – but now we work harder than ever to prove we CAN do it all!
Honesty like you have shown here, reminds us that we all need to take a moment now and then to be grateful for what we have and mindful of comparisons to other peoples ‘social media version’ of themselves.
Thanks for being honest
Sioban.
Yes, there is so much pressure to be all and do all! And it’s impossible!! I don’t go to events anymore because I find it too much, I always picture myself when I’m old and grey and imagine what my future self would tell my present self. That always puts things into perspective for me. A x x x x x
A beautiful post from a truly beautiful soul. I loved those quotes 🙂
Awww, thank you so much Jen! x x x
I love this post Amy. It’s so easy to see the things other people share and feel bad about ourselves in comparison. I had a good reminder of this one the weekend when I caught up with one of my good friends. Her instagram feed is full of playdates, flowers from her husband and romantic date nights. I’d been comparing, my hectic and rushed life to her easy fun one. I was so surprised when she told me how exhausted and miserable she’s been feeling lately. I had no idea because I’d been too busy being envious of the life her happy snaps were portraying.
You’ve hit the nail of the head! It’s so easy to assume things about people, without really stopping to say ‘How are you?’. Appearances can be very deceiving and you never really know what’s going on unless you take the time to find out. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. x x x
Great post obviously written straight from your heart. Social media has created a lot of pressure in an already pressured world. There’s no going back in time so learning to manage and balance it is what it’s all about. I post sunrise pics because it makes me happy and I hope to spread that to whoever sees the photo not because life is one big sunrise.
There’s a fine line Amy and for some you can’t win. If you post pics of your girls upset or your house a mess someone, somewhere will judge you for that just as much as someone, somewhere will be grateful.
Follow your heart, be true to yourself and to your family above all else.
Jules recently posted…Grease the Musical
Thanks Jules, you always give me the very best advice. A x x x
Hi Amy
Great post. When I met you at the STM fashion show at Beluga you left me with an impression of what a beautiful person you are and you came across as very approachable and very real. Keep doing what you are doing because you do it so well. I was lucky to have met you and enjoy reading your blog and it is nice to know that no matter how glamourous ones life may appear we all have our struggles. Keep up the good work xx
Oh it was so much fun to meet you! I was so impressed you’d driven from Northam to have a well deserved girls night out!! x x x
I know I already tweeted you but just wanted to say that I hope you realised my tweets were purely tongue in cheek. I often look at your pics and read your blogs and marvel in the completely different worlds we live in. And yeah I’m jealous sometimes that you have time to put that effort into your kids lunch boxes or to be able to walk out the door resembling something of a model (time wouldn’t help me on that – I’d need plastic surgery haha!). And frankly I have no idea how you keep your kids clean dressed in white (but perhaps it only lasted that split second the camera caught it!) But I also get a lot of inspiration and ideas from you too. Frugos – who knew! And although she’s not keen on those (lucky I am) mini pretzels are my Asher’s new favourite things to eat!
We all get stuck posting the happy, cute times in our lives and I’m no different. Yesterday I posted a video of Asher on tinybeans singing while riding her bike and pretending to talk to her aunty on the phone. No-one knows that earlier that morning she had a meltdown at dancing because her aunty came to watch her (heaven forbid) and ended up watching the session on the sidelines. I was mortified and ended up having a bit of a cry myself about it in the car afterwards. Followed that up with another tantrum during her rest time (also my rest time) and so the bike ride outside was so I could get some fresh air and calm down after a horror day.
Anyway continue on with your great blog, beautiful yum boxes, coffee time with Ava (Asher usually has 2 babycinos when we’re out!). I know that my life is never going to involve designer clothes and black tie functions but I’m more than happy to live vicariously through you!
All the best,
Em 🙂
Thanks so much Em!! I love living vicariously through a lot of my friends who are always off on exciting adventures and doing crazy things like kite surfing!! x x x
I can’t believe those people at the restaurant! I’m sorry they ruined your evening!! So rude! My feed is full of the happy, fun, clean pics, and when things are hard I just don’t feel like taking pictures!! Nobody wants to see pictures of my son throwing up all over the hallway and bathroom haha! X Karen
Karen recently posted…An Almost 1 year old
I know, people can be so mean! As if I couldn’t hear their rude comments and see their rude looks! Never mind, they did me a favour as I found an amazing Pho restaurant where the staff were super friendly! x x x
Everyone shares the best of their lives because I’m sure we aren’t thinking of grabbing the camera to capture their kid throwing a tantrum, or taking a pic of those rude people in the restaurant. It’s just human nature IMO
I find if i do share less then perfect then I do get support from my readers l, but I guess I’m not going to do that all the time as I’m usually not inspired in those moments to write.
I think if you are comfortable to share it then do and if want to share the mundane parts of life do that too, some will enjoy it and others won’t.
I do think that the person who tweeted you was just being rude, it’s your choice and they don’t need to be apart of your community or like it.
I’ve been learning a big life lesson lately about not letting others actions or opinions affect me, I just have to worry about my own.
Fee recently posted…MYKIDS Emporium
Too true Fee! We should just worry about ourselves, after all – what others think of us is none of our business!! x x
Thank you so much for posting this blog! I was having a really bad day with cleaning, kids, overflowing washing, hair that was due to be (finally!!) done today but my hairdresser was sick and had to cancel (!!) and I had been on instagram which only seem to magnify the problems! Then I came across this blog and it really made my slightly teary and smile at the same time 🙂 thanks xxx
Sorry to hear about your crappy day. I hope you’ve managed to rebook your hair appointment, so important to help you feel good about yourself!! x x x x
Love love love this post Amy and it is true, my feed and the feeds I follow and the blogs I pour over are usually not the real every day stuff. But to be fair, I see enough of the real in my own day and so I look to be inspired by other’s pretty stuff. It is nice to see the real every now and then, just to remind us we are all normal lol. What a weird bunch we humans are 😉 xx
Sonia Life Love Hiccups recently posted…A Bum Steer
Yay I’m so happy you wrote this. I have to remind myself often all these beautiful Instagram pictures I view each day are generally peoples highlights or well planned snaps. I often see and read blogs and think ,well I look terrible today or my life is dull, but most people only ever put up the good bits- me included I would not upload a bad picture of myself on fb.
Thanks for the reminder .
It takes a lot of effort to look as fabulous as you do Amy! I don’t want to see your overflowing basket of laundry, I have two in the middle of my own lounge room. I can look at them whenever I feel like a reality check 🙂 Keep up the awesome job you’re doing with the kids and lunch boxes! And, yes, actually I do have a lunch box envy. Certainly, you’ll be my inspiration if I’ll ever need to make one for Anastasia.
Maria xx
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