Do you think that people exaggerate on social media?

[90sSummerswerethebest]

I don't post much on social media but I have accounts that I use to keep in touch and follow local groups etc.

Everyone else appears to have very glamorous lives. I have a happy but quiet and boring life. I have two lovely children. Good husband, job I enjoy.

Everyone else seems to post about all their children's achievements, gushing posts about how proud they are. How their husband is the best husband ever, best dad ever.

I don't usually pay much attention but I was looking at some stuff a school mum posted and I thought gosh my life is boring. But then I suppose if I posted all the best bits, only I don't tend to give a lot of things much thought at the time. Perhaps I should have shared all these moments.

Of course they do
Social media is not reality and that’s a contributing factor as to why it can be utterly toxic

Its not necessarily exaggerated but it is curated. As you say - its only the best bits!

Its always posts of:

• the Dc winning their gym competition,
• pictures of the lovely holiday in Portugal, - parents out for a lovely dinner for their anniversary

Its never:

• moaning posts about the parents working tons of overtime or a second job to pay for the lifestyle
• Worried posts about DC struggling with theur maths & needing a tutor

I don't post a lot on facebook or insta but what does go on tends to be positive

An old schoolmate of mine would see fab holidays, gorgeous DC, lovely dh
They wouldn't see miscarriages, stressful job, DC health issues

Social media is not real life "warts and all" 🙄
You need a large pinch of salt with anything you read on SM.

Yes of course. I went to a wedding, where the husband was so black out drunk, he was in bed by 3pm, the bride was in hysterics… However the photos on social media the following day… best days of my life etc etc

Errr yes!

Of course, that's why there is an entire generation of posts about insta/fb versus reality.

It’s a highlight reel for most people.

I don't usually overthink any of it and I'm always happy to see what people have been up to.

I know when I see my sister and sil they always get a few photos for insta and it often looks a bigger event than what it was. That's fine.

It's the gushing posts about husbands and children. Made me feel a bit bad for not posting that kind of stuff. Think I'm just jealous of all these glam insta pages.

Gushing posts about your husband are so cringe. Guaranteed behind closed doors they are sick of each others shit.

Some do and some dont. But the main thing is that social media doesn't share the balance of life. Most people share their best parts understandably but it means you see the tip of the ice burg.

People that have to post that stuff are unhappy deep down. Happy people don't need to be on Social media they get on with their lives ! I know someone who went and bought flowers for herself and posted them saying from my wonderful husband ! Sad really

Some do, some don't.

But its the same in real life - weird comparison but anyone whose ever managed a team of people can attest to the fact that people are quite happy to bullshit to their closest mates and their closest mates don't even realise.

But I don't think everything on social media is rubbish. I love seeing people's holiday posts, gives me ideas on where to go! I love seeing couples post when they've got dressed up for an event, when you know they probably don't have any pictures of them without the kids for at least 5 years. I love seeing proud grandma's post that their grandson met a meerkat today. I love seeing people discuss great places to go in our local town, or offer help to others in need. Or see people band together to promote a local business that needs it. There's a lot of joy and community to be had online, in amongst the bullshit.

I've seen a good few couples who were always gushing about each other on social media then suddenly divorced/separated.

some people definitely embellish. Others use it as a ‘highlights reel’ and only share the good/glam. So you might see they went out for a nice brunch with their DH, but they don’t mention the argument they had that evening. Etc.

best to take it with a pinch of salt and not get stuck in the comparison trap.

Yes they absolutely do. In other news, I heard ursine mammals defecate in the forest.

I don't think it is exaggerated. I am sure it is.

When you have people over to your house do you have dirty dishes in the sink, the floor needing a vacuum and toys scattered about? No, you clean and tidy and vacuum and present it at it's best. Same with way posting on social media. I'm not going to post me arriving off the airplane looking dishevelled and tired, with cranky kids who smeared chocolate over their clothes. I'm going to wait til I'm rested and changed and in a photogenic seaside restaurant enjoying a cocktail and the kids frolicking on the beach!

I'm not usually a jealous person and like you say I enjoy seeing what people have been up to and get ideas too. Old school friends, school mums, distant cousins.

Must be feeling a bit insecure this evening, although I'm pretty sure I know what's triggered it now actually.