I wrote and published a post on Instagram a couple of days ago which I ‘ummmed and arrhhhed’ about.

I resisted the urge to delete.

I then pondered whether to write this blog for fear of being misunderstood. Sometimes I get things in my head but they don’t come out the way I intend.

Firstly I love Instagram. I love the interaction; like -minded people bonding over pictures of our tea and what we’ve been wearing.

I don’t know about you but I find it hard to relate to some of the tiny squares of ‘perfection’ some accounts portray. They look like they are living the dream. Perfectly coiffured at all times, immaculate, contoured and sporting all the latest trends.

I’m perfectly imperfect and I’m certainly not living the dream. I’m Currently sat in mis-matched pjs with unbrushed hair. I’ve been like that most of the day. I’m a little messy around the edges if the truth be known.

Maybe I’m over-thinking things but some days it’s not enough to post an #ootd or some beauty bits. I feel like I’m cheating you.

Some days I just want to tell you how it really is. What’s really happening behind my squares.

I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, I want you to relate.

My gallery is ‘neat’. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m contrary and I too love all the pretty . I post my best selfies. My favourite outfits, posh coffees preferably with flowers .

My ramblings will no doubt be accompanied by an outfit / beauty / landscape piccy. The description underneath will reveal my true state of mind. 

Chances are we’ll never meet but if we did I wouldn’t want there to be any surprises. I want you to get to know ‘the real me’ … camel toe and all!

The Pressure to be less than perfect all the time is not good for your mind-set, or your health. 

I’m not saying that Instagram should suddenly become the photo version of ‘ The Samaritans ‘ and we should all air our dirty laundry and post pics of ourselves greasy and unwashed.

I am saying post your pretty pictures but if your having a bad day or awful week don’t be afraid to say so! Break those Instagram rules! It makes you more human.

As I was typing the IG post I did think to myself I’m going to lose followers .

I did … a boat load actually. Real life isn’t so appealing I guess.

I did think to myself this is Instagram , this isn’t the right forum. This isn’t what people want to read.  Instagram is however a lot different to what it was a few years ago. It’s not just about the photos anymore. People are listening and being influenced by what we say [ especially us bloggers ]. I guess we have a responsibility to each other.

Despite the droves of unfollowers the post actually received a really lovely response. I was quite touched by some of the comments.

The day I posted on Instagram was a crap day. The crappest of crap. On a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 15!

I didn’t want to talk about my lippy or discuss my camels toe. I suppose I wanted to ‘vent’ Let it all out.

Take yesterday though … it was a good day.

I could have joked about how I looked like a chubby Max Wall in my running gear. I laughed a lot. I spent time with some fabulous people. I ran 5k for charity . I did good.

It’s swings and roundabouts.

It’s warts and all.

It’s my life.

So this was the #currentmood post I shared with the insta-world.

The reason I hesitated posting ?

People go on Instagram for alsorts of reasons – it’s a form of light relief, escapism, to be inspired or just to have a nosey at how the other half live .

I don’t suppose they want to hear ‘doom and gloom’.

The day I posted [the above] I was raw, I was emotionally drained and I wanted to tell people that it is ok to not be ok. To not beat yourself up. You don’t have to be a perfect Square all the time.

Be a chuffing hexagon. 

To coin a Human League song – I’m only human of flesh and blood I’m made

In an age where appearance is seemingly the be all and end . Where we have to keep up appearances to the outside world it could be easy to loose sight of what’s important. I know at times I have.

Our sanity. The people around us. Real life – Loving. Laughing. Living. That’s what really matters.

I see endless galleries with perfect little squares that could quite honestly belong to the same person. Maybe their life’s are perfect , who knows? I’m not here to judge.

I just want my squares to be true to me .The good, the bad and yes … the plain ugly.

The pressure on people [especially young impressionable children] to be this perfect version of themselves all the time is unrealistic. It must also be exhausting.

It’s making people who don’t feel great 24/7 feel shit about themselves and that …well that’s just plain rubbish.

If I’m honest in the past I’ve scrolled through my feed and thought jeez I have no life!  These people have the perfect life/ figure/ face / house… I’ve forgotten in the past that I am 46 with wobbly bits and bingo wings. That comparing myself to a 20 something is not healthy!

Maybe just maybe by revealing our dark moments, showing that at times it’s not all plain sailing , we might just help someone who is struggling. Someone who feels like they can’t compete in the ‘insta perfect’ world. Someone who feels anything less than perfect.

I personally love to see your #ootds , your new cushions and your newest beauty find but I also want to see and hear ‘the real.’

My favourite accounts aren’t necessarily the popular ones. They don’t necessarily follow a theme. They are a little messy but fabulous all the same.

I want to see big goofy  smiles … [something I have to work on myself being the master of the Lemon pout! ]

I want a box with personality. I want to see people having fun. When life throws you side-ways I want to hear about that too because that’s what makes us human … makes us real.

Real isn’t the enemy – don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

There are no rights and wrongs … be your own version of Instagram but please, please, please always be you.

#keepitreal

Tracey x

* linking up with #saturdaysharelinkup notlamb.com *

* Linking up with #brilliantblogposts honestmum.com