It's a lonely business...

I miss people. I think that has always been the hardest part of being at home. I know I have the kids and we had baby groups and now I have school mums, PTA and of course my connection to the outside world; my phone…Instagram, what’s app groups, google (sometimes I feel google is the only person that understands me!)  BUT and this is a massive BUT. I feel all  these things are just helping me avoid the inevitable.  Especially THE PHONE.  I no longer know  what I want but I  constantly have ‘life envy’. Let me just clarify this. I love my family, my life and of course the only thing I really would change is my bank balance. I am not naive and I realise a snippet isn’t a full picture. here it comes again…BUT their lives look great!!!

SOOO tempting…

I follow a lot of insta mum’s. Real people who are the new celebrities. Their kids look quirky, they look styled, they are at every event, every festival and they  are showing all of us how great their life is through photos, whilst still being a mum.  The words will say – “believe in yourself” ” don’t have to be perfect” ” accept who you are now” ( again)

BUT… bullshit I want a piece of that because it looks ace. ...BUT I have school drop off’s and pick up’s, homework, and clubs and washing and cooking and exercise and the odd coffee with a friend and I have to buy a yellow t-shirt for Cub camp!!!!  And when I stop, I look at these moments in insta lives, I don’t think of the reality. I don’t read the positive, supportive  words they have written BUT I see the image they want me to see. I then feel shit about the choices I have made and I feel I am alone in all of this. BUT it’s not just me…

In a recent U.K. survey, Instagram, the social media network was ranked the worst for mental health and well-being. While it got points for self-expression and self-identity, over half of the 1,500 respondents reported a heightened sense of anxiety, specifically relating to body image.

“The platform is very image-focused and it appears it may be driving feelings of inadequacy and anxiety in young people,” said Shirley Cramer, an executive at the Royal Society for Public Health — which published the report.

Totally relate to this. BUT…this research has all been carried out with 18-24 year olds. What about the 30+ year old mum’s out there?  How do you feel?  How do you not let it get to you? I don’t want to just delete the account I like to see what events and clothes, make ups and holiday destinations. BUT are theses snippets just like watching adverts ?Maybe  that’s it. Maybe instagram is an advert for everyone else life and when I switch it off I will get on with the main film.  My advert will also be on instagram for now until I can figure this out…