Happy Thursday friends!
I almost didn’t write this post for a few reasons. First, I’ve been struggling with burnout. Like, really really bad. Sharing that (and admitting it to myself) is scary and brings me to the second reason: just how real should I be getting on here?
We all know blogs aren’t ‘real life’. Real life is messy, dirty, un-photogenic; a ‘good’ blog serves inspiration visualized through breathtaking imagery. Beautiful shots. Carefully curated images. Life like it really isn’t.
top- price matched 60% off for $23 // jeans // earrings // wedges // Louis Vuitton Neverfull // Juliana’s shoes
But at the same time, isn’t that what we love about them? We read blogs for inspiration- to see, learn and become inspired. We read a food blog to become a better cook or a fashion blog to dress better. All well and good, but when it comes to fashion blogging I think there’s one important caveat.
I used to read blogs that, instead of getting me engerized and inspired left me feeling down when I got through reading. I’d feel like I wasn’t pretty enough, tan enough, my teeth weren’t white enough, etc. etc. Eventually I stopped reading those and things got better.
top- price matched 60% off for $23 // jeans // earrings // wedges // Louis Vuitton Neverfull // Juliana’s shoes
While having a blog has strengthened my sense of self it has also tested it. Whether you’re another blogger or someone who loves to read them, the downside of the “inspirational” factor is a nagging feeling we’re not quite measuring up. It’s easy to forget a blog is not and never will be a fully accurate representation of that blogger’s life.
But here’s the dilemma: it’s a fine line between relateability and sharing something to aspire to. Last week I did a Google search for “Fifteen Minutes to Flawless” and let me tell y’all- what came up is NOT an accurate representation of my daily life. It’s outfits that are often thought through and styled for the purpose of sharing with you- then carefully photographed and edited. Looking at those images made me wonder if they could possibly leave one of you feeling worse instead of better. And I never, ever want that to happen- not once to one of you.
top- price matched 60% off for $23 // jeans // earrings // wedges // Louis Vuitton Neverfull // ring // Juliana’s shoes
Which brings me to the reason for this post. 🙂
Whether you’re a blogger or enjoy following them, it’s so important to keep in mind what you see isn’t reality. Remember that your favorite bloggers are there to provide inspiration and stimulate creativity – not to leave you feeling like you don’t “measure up”.
I was having a breakout from stress and burnout when Ridge and I took these photos. It would have been so easy to “edit out” the blemishes on my forehead but I decided to leave them there. This topic is so important to me and I want to hear from you- am I hitting on this “real vs. reel” thing right?
Love y’all and hope you have a great weekend!
Terra
Thank you posting this “real” blog. I love reading blogs and looking at the photos but often wonder how real they are. It is nice to know someone has the inspiration to let all us readers know that everything is not always as it seems and that the people who write these inspiring blogs are real people also.
Author
Thank you so much Connie! Imagery matters so much with blogging so I put a ton of time and effort into producing and editing beautiful images. But for every great shot there are at least 20-30 terrible ones on my camera. 😉