How social media has changed for me

Social media was created to keep in touch with friends and family. It was also made to reconnect with those you may have lost touch with. It can also be used to stalk your ex or be a creeper on someone you dislike’s page. Let’s just say there are many reasons why you would utilize social media.

For the last few years I only ever had Facebook and I kept my page very private and only had close friends and family on my page. Sometimes I would add someone then later realize they never spoke to me, just lingered on my page. So, then I would take them off…then I’d get the angry private message from them asking why I took them off. That’s when I realized, some people just want to know what you’re doing and keep in touch from a far distance. I first felt annoyed by it so I took people off my “friends” list and blocked others I didn’t want to know I ever existed in their lives.

These actions were made because I cared. I cared too much about what other people thought and I cared so much that I didn’t want them in my virtual world – judging me. Facebook is a place where people overshare their thoughts and I too at the time would overshare as well. Sometimes people would make me so furious over their comments, and other times I would infuriate others. At one point I had to block family members because of a comment interpreted incorrectly. All of these things are so ridiculous, but not as ridiculous as it could be.

For instance, I’ve had people hiding behind fake profiles to write me and insult me. I’ve had someone tell me my husband was somewhere that he wasn’t. I know these people know me somehow and disliked me so much that they went to these great lengths. I’ve never hid behind a fake profile to insult someone, no, I’ve done it from my legit profile.

I’ve been the bully. I’ve once written a female that did wrong doing to me in high school and informed her of what garbage she was – I stooped to her level. Of course, I was still young then, maybe 2 years out of high school. I got to her though, she insulted me back and threaten to have someone attack me – because she was never bold enough to do this herself. All of it, stupidity.

This year has been a year of growth for me, I don’t know why or how but all I do is come to realizations every other day. I realized how blessed I am, how much I love myself, and how beautiful other people are. I also realized I had some regrets, like bullying a girl in middle school or sheltering myself from possible friends because I didn’t trust anyone enough to let them get close to me.

This year I got Instagram and a new Facebook page – they’re open and if I know you, I’ll add you. Why not? I have nothing to hide. My life may not be as glamourous as you portray yours to be, but I’m happy and that’s what makes me beautiful. I started this blog because I LOVE to write. I love to share. I love to spread beauty however I can. Life is beautiful and so are you.

Leading back to my regrets. I have people on my “friend’s” list that used to be so close to me physically but I kept so far from me emotionally. I was a cheerleader – and I pushed away most of the others as friends because I didn’t trust any of them. I would never be a flyer because I don’t trust, no pun intended lol

“Blog 30” gives a glimpse of what I was going through at home so cheerleading was my escape from the dark. But I would NEVER want to bring home a fellow cheerleader to witness how awful my life was then. I had one close cheerleading friend who will always to some extent be a lifelong friend.

But now I look at what most of them have become and they’re beautiful! I’m not talking about physical beauty, I am talking about good hearted people who are doing great things in life. There are many times when I look at a picture of someone I knew in high school and think “how did I miss out on how beautiful you are? I really missed out on a wonderful person”. I don’t blame myself completely, I had a lot going on. But if I could go back in time, I would embrace all that beauty you all have to give and cover myself in it like glitter LOL

I have grown so much that the girl I called “garbage”, I recently saw where she’s at now and thought “good for her”. Yes, I thought that and it was genuine. No sarcasm whatsoever. Anyone that can do good for themselves and their family deserves praise.

There have been times when I see someone’s posts and think “man, I could’ve had a life like that” or “I wish I could be like them”. Then I look back at myself, my husband and my kids and think “I would NEVER trade this for anything”. What does that one quote say? Something like “stop comparing your behind the scenes with someone else’s highlight reel”. That is a powerful statement. That is all social media is, the highlight reels of everyone’s lives. The best they have to offer is on their social media pages. You don’t see their hurt or their struggles. You don’t see their pics when they first wake up out of bed – nor do I think we want to lol

Every single person you encounter has a story, a behind the scenes, a blooper reel ha! Tis true.

If you’re reading this I want you to tell yourself how awesome you are, because you can’t be someone else, they’re already taken 😉