Why we need to stop comparing behind-the-scenes with highlights

Last year there were a few times where I’d picked up my phone to scroll on social media and it had felt like everyone else was on leave/ on holiday / super chilled out / not drowning in e-mails. Sometimes experiencing all 4 at the same time.

It was always during a particularly busy time at work or during September which is always a very long month for me. If I managed to get a few minutes away from my laptop I’d reach for my phone and seeing everyone having a great time often made me ponder what am I doing wrong? How does everyone else manage their time so much better? When I had gotten up early to wade through e-mails and worked late to try clear my inbox. When I was struggling so badly with insomnia. Stressed, tired and battling to find the time to workout never mind relax.

It felt like a far cry from the smiling happy photos I was seeing online of everybody else.

In hindsight I realise that there have been times that my pics would have been amongst the photos someone else has scrolled through when they were having a difficult day. I might have been the one looking relaxed and having a great time.

It is so easy to compare your behind-the-scenes footage to someone else’s story on Insta. Most people post what makes them happy, not how tired they are. Not how stressed work is making them. Worries and anxious feelings aren’t something that makes most people’s highlights. When you scroll online you are seeing an edited version of things.

During stressful times I’m aiming to remember this more. Compare less. Because nobody has it all figured out all of the time.

No matter what everyone else’s timeline looks like.

xx