Teddy Coat: Amazon // Pants: Old Navy // Converse: TJ Maxx (similar)
I’m not sure if everyone has already heard about a recent Influencer Scam. I’m not going to talk about the actual situation because at the end of the day, said influencer is still a person, and I don’t want to be part of any negativity or backlash against them, because judging by what I have seen on the internet and on their Instagram, she is really being put on full blast. I think what she did is absolutely horrible, BUT the rest of the world does not know her side of the story. I’m a Libra, I can’t help but try to be fair and see both sides. Maybe she does have an explanation. It still doesn’t excuse what happened though.
Why am I bringing this up if I’m not going to actually talk about the situation?
I wanted to take a moment in today’s post to take a step back and talk about a very serious issue that I see on Instagram and in the blogosphere all together. What you see online is NOT always reality. I feel like this should not have to be said, but at the same time, if people are so caught up in Instagram, they might not realize that each and every picture a person uploads is very carefully chosen. Even if you are just taking selfies.
For example, for some of my photos, I not only edit them in Lightroom and make them look all pretty for my blog, but I then re-edit them again on my phone (because for whatever reason they look different on my phone) to make sure they are somewhat “Instagram worthy.” I would love to have a beautiful Instagram feed like some of these bloggers, but unfortunately, I have not mastered it, nor do I travel to lavish areas, nor do I want to start photoshopping myself into locations like some influencers/bloggers have done. I’m not here to be fake and put on this act of how my life is so amazing. I have bad days just like everyone else, but I’m willing to share that with y’all. If I have a shitty day, I’m not going to pretend that my life is all that and a bag of chips (Ruffle chips to be exact). I want my readers to be able to relate to me. If that means that I won’t be able to grow on Instagram because my pictures aren’t worthy, or my content isn’t fake, then so be it. I promised myself when I started this blog that I would never be a sell out.
Yes, I’m all about good vibes and positivity, however, there are days where I let people know what’s going on behind the scenes because I don’t want people thinking that I don’t have hurdles, or that I live this picture perfect life. You want to know what goes behind all of these pictures? A lot of time and hard work. Do y’all think I take pictures of my current outfit every day? Nope. I unfortunately, am not able to blog full time, so I have one day (every Sunday) that is sacrificed for blogging pictures. Driving from place to place (except for lately, I’ve been staying close because I’m exhausted) sometimes driving up to an hour to get to just one of the 5 locations of that day. Changing in the car, sweating profusely in the summertime, and freezing my ass off in the winter time just to get that perfect shot.
Then I have to take all 500+ pictures and edit them. To only upload them onto my blog and edit them again on my phone in the LR app, or Snapseed.
On a daily basis I wear pretty average clothing because I work in an office and am too lazy to do my hair and makeup and get super dressed up. Do you want to know what I look like outside of my blog? Hair up, no makeup (except brows and a little bit of mascara) and whatever I feel like putting on that morning. I don’t wear heels every day, I’m usually in flats or flat boots. The office that I work in isn’t always just sitting at my desk, I’m constantly walking around at work.
I love seeing all of these travel and fashion bloggers. I mean, I lust for that life, but at the end of the day, I don’t get wrapped up in something that is not my life. At the end of the day, I’m happy coming home after a long day’s work and hanging out with my dogs and fiancé in our shitty 1 bedroom apartment. I wouldn’t trade this life I have now for anything. Even if it meant me gaining 800k followers lol.
I know that the influencers that are putting on this facade of having this perfect life is good for their brand and everything, but I think there needs to be more real people out there.
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xoxo Monica
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Oh you touched on a big thing. I have a hard time with blogging because it kind of is like in real life who is going to actually dress in a fur coat, statement necklaces and silk skirts to run errands or go to the office and then stop in the middle of road and get that shot in….not real life. I love blogging but parts of it I am just sick of. I think if we start to look at some of this as vogue photoshoots or magazine ads then I get it. But I don’t aspire to look like I have a glam life when I really am just normal. I guess this sounds a bit blah but just what I’m feeling after 6 years of blogging.
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Girrrrl, I hear ya! This is a problem I have with blogging as well. I feel like I constantly see these non realistic things going on, on social media and blogs, and it’s hard to relate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a visual person and LOOVVEEEE seeing the beautiful photos and outfits some of these bloggers come up with, but I can’t relate to that. I can’t relate to a girl who buys a new designer bag or shoes every single day. I can’t relate to a girl who only wears an article of clothing once. That’s just not obtainable for me. I like to see real people, even if it’s just every once in a while that they share real life photos. It makes them seem more human.
Cheers to that, my friend! I have noticed my IG likes and such dwindling and I don’t much care other than that I noticed it. I am about as real as it gets in this world of blogging, as you know. Sometimes, I even share pictures where my hair is a disaster because not a single photo looked good, but I took the time to take the photos and I have no idea how to edit things like fly away hairs and blemishes and such. I crop and adjust the light and color a bit and that is it! Keep it real, my friend, always keep it real. That IS what people want to see. Love ya, girl!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
But, people can relate to everything you mentioned in your comment. It’s honestly so refreshing to see real people on social media because we can all make ourselves look glamorous, but at the end of the day, we also all end up in our PJ’s with no makeup on and our hair not done.
Instagram. It makes me bonkers! Aside from the connections I have made, I struggle with what I see on there. Not because I am jealous. Not at all. I love my life and I would not trade it for materialistic things but I do feel overwhelmed that it’s what I should expect when on the app. That I need to have new clothes, grand vacations and the latest greatest. Therefore, I feel like it adds no value to my life which then makes me feel that I am wasting my time if that makes any sense. Anyway, I try to use blinders when I am on the app these days because regardless of how strong you are as a person, the force is strong and it sucks you in!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
I get sucked into Instagram all the time. I love seeing all of those beautiful pictures, and the lavish lifestyles these bloggers/influencers live, but I just can’t relate to that. I know what you mean by wasting your time. I’ve started to focus more on my blog than Instagram because I have more freedom on my blog than Instagram.