I’m a big fan of Instagram. I’ve always been into pictures – taking them, looking at them – and I love that Instagram makes it easy not only to capture all the little moments that make up a day, but also offers a chance to infuse a little creativity into to the monotony…fun filters and all that jazz. Listen, I sit at a computer crunching numbers and reading lawsuits all day long…a few moments for pretty pictures goes a long way! If you follow me on IG (and you should!) you’ll see my account is full of fun kid shots, gym pics, yummy food, and perhaps even a selfie or two (or three or four…). But, as Sarah recently pointed out, those little glimpses offered from our lives certainly don’t tell the whole story.  So, that’s what I’m here to do for you today.

Instagram vs. Reality

As mentioned, one thing you’ll see a fair bit of on my IG are exercise pictures. Working out has become a big part of my life and I love the support I’ve gotten from fellow #gettinfit-ers, but let’s be honest: the hashtag I should really be using is #willrunforwine.

Hittin’ the gym is simply my excuse for wine and chocolate.

While we are on the subject, let’s discuss meal pics…both of these meals have been consumed. But only 1 documented on Instagram (see also treadmill pic above).

And how could I not touch on selfies? The IG phenomenon that everyone loves to hate.

Instagram Elise vs. Reality Elise.  I can’t even.

Then there’s my sweet kiddos. When I’m hanging out at home and they do something cute, I’m right there with my phone to snap a pic, but sometimes the background leaves a bit to be desired (oh hi dirty socks, random crap, and piles of toys…). Let’s just say I can now add ‘crop expert’ to my resume.

This is what you saw…..this is what I saw…

Speaking of kids, according to my Instagram, mine are adorable, never unhappy, and ALWAYS cooperate in letting me get the perfect shot.  Yes. That is 100% accurate. Uh huh. Yup. Totally.

In sum, please let this serve as a little reminder to take social media for what it is: the public portrayal of our best selves. And that’s OK! Keep those pictures of your good hair days and perfect kids comin! As long as I can take Sarah’s advice and keep my perspectacles on, I can keep on enjoying those pretty pictures for what they are intended to be.