A photo can reveal a lot about a person. On a surface level, different photos can show someone who seems happy, attractive, put together, and portray an image of happiness but not always tell the truth about what someone in a photo may be experiencing in real life.
Photos are not always what they seem.
I can testify to the fact that behind some of the most beautiful photos I’ve taken or had taken, have been some stories and silent storms no one would ever know about. The interesting thing is that in my real life, I often have different people tell me how confident they think I am and how much I inspire them. And when people say things like that to me and seek me out for encouragement, counsel, advice, or a quick pep talk, I aim to be humble and transparent with them about the fact that as confident as they think I am, my life is not without challenges, trials, and disappointments. My self-esteem and life also take on some occasional one-two punches too.
In the photo above, I’m smiling. I did a photoshoot for my 29thbirthday and was excited about it but at the same time, I was in the midst of a challenging and discouraging season that was pressing my faith and spiritually and physically draining.
At the time, I’d also twisted my left ankle after slipping and falling weeks before the shoot, and somehow managed to wear high heels in that photo too… it’s just that I was able to still have joy during that moment.
So if this is true of what I’ve written, don’t you think the same could be said about many of the photos you see on social media or anywhere else? It could be true for you too. I promise that the real people you see in those photos or even incredibly filtered ones are going through challenges too, which is why it’s dangerous to compare yourself or your life to anyone else’s.
I get that may be hard to avoid sometimes, but again, photos are not always what they seem.
Especially in a filtered world with great filter features. But what happens when you can’t put one of those filters on a work situation that’s testing your patience? Or a significant other who’s not being the partner you want/need? Or when you have an unexpected injury or illness? Or when someone you love dies? Or when someone you love lets you down?
There are no filters for those things.
Those things come with living life and life and its challenges rarely escape anyone. Take all the fun, pretty, exciting, and joyful photos you want to. But understand that there’s no need to put on a façade for anyone. Don’t always fall for what you see on the surface or be quick to assume someone has it better than you do.
At the end of the day, no one’s life is picture perfect. And that’s okay.