I was recently interviewed by Studio 5 for a segment regarding "Online Perfection". The producers just used a sound bite from each person they interviewed, so my response is short. {I'll include the TV segment at the end of this post.} I wanted to elaborate a little more about this timely subject, so here goes.
It's Just a Snapshot
Ah, Pinterest - the land of candy-coated dreams, perfect abs, and maybe even *gasp* discouragement. As I said in the interview, though, we should remember what we're seeing is just a snippet, or portion of the story. Of course, as bloggers we want to put our best foot forward by using the most noteworthy photos we can get. Good photos = getting pinned = success! But keep in mind that sometimes days are spent crafting these amazing photos. And just because her dessert looks like the most delicious thing you've ever seen, it doesn't mean that her laundry is caught up too! An absolutely perfect table does not equal perfection in all things! Which leads me to the next point . . .
We all Have our Gifts
Not that new talents can't be cultivated, but I do believe that we've all been given certain tendencies to excel in certain areas. I have a friend that doesn't feel she is creative, but she loves math {ew!} & can add two & three digit numbers in her head! Now that's talent! I think the more we love ourselves, the easier it is to be truly happy for people when they excel at something. And just because someone else is exceptional, that does not minimize our own worth as an individual. And one more thing . . .
Some of it is Not Even Real
This is especially true when it comes to magazine photos of people. There are entire Pinterest pages devoted to exposing the alarming amount of photoshopping going on. {CLICK HERE for "Nobody's Perfect".} It's important to show our girls this kind of thing so that they realize the dangers of comparison - especially to someone who isn't even real! One of my friends had her house photographed for a magazine. Her home was already amazing! The magazine staff staged it anyway - bringing in a lot of their own accessories, etc. She said she continued to recognize the same items in photos of other homes.
Don't Judge
Ok, I guess a certain amount of judgement is needed to get through this world, so I guess I could say, "Don't judge harshly". Don't even judge yourself harshly. When I hear people are really bent out of shape about online perfection, it makes me wonder if there's some under-lying self esteem issues or even bitterness going on. My advice is just don't go there. When we see a thing {or person} of beauty, we can choose to enjoy it, or maybe even be inspired by it - but we don't have to let it be depressing or discouraging. That's my "two cents" - what's your opinion?
Here's the segment -
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The Be.you.tiful Link Party
This was a wonderful post, one that can be extended to the world of Facebook as well. Our poor kids; growing up in an age where everything looks so perfect on the surface! I think that your point "we all have our gifts" is spot on! Happy New Year!!! jules
ReplyDeleteWell said! I am SO glad to hear someone else say what you just said about judging. I, too, believe that before we judge so harshly, we need to be taking a closer look at our own hearts.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Thank you so much Sharon for your sweet comment & for stopping by.
DeleteWarmly, Michelle
Yeah, like those apothecary jars in the picture. Mine are always empty. We eat whatever I put in them too fast. There are only some jelly beans in one, the colors no one eats. haha Another is completely empty. The third one has some lollipops but I ate all the chocolate so there they sit waiting for someone who loves orange tootsie roll pops. Of course, no one loves the orange tootsie roll pops. Dusty too. Life is messy.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Thank you for giving me a chuckle. You are so right! I put these jars in the home of one of my clients {filled with candy}. The next time I visited her house, only crumbs of sugar remained in the bottoms of the jars.
DeleteWarmly, Michelle
Its one thing to be INSPIRED by other peoples posts, VS using it as a whipping post! Yes, I see some beautiful photos and sure sometimes, I wish I had their house, but I do not go all out for the "My house is CRAP game!". Because, in my own way, I love my home! Sometimes it gets old, its not at its best, etc. But still, there are lots of things I still love about it. Being happy with oneself and comfortable with what one has is always best! I feel the same about those 100 LB dripping wet models, its not me, not ever going to be me, but I can still appreciate their smokey eye tips! LOL! There is nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself, however, there is something distinctly unhealthy about being unhappy with your present self, like and circumstances! Make the best of what you have and be happy with what you have, in the now! Tomorrow may never come! Just my two cents worth!
ReplyDeleteWell said Rita! Thank you for making the time to leave your thoughtful comment. I so agree. They say that the secret to contentment is learning to enjoy what we have.
DeleteWarmly, Michelle