instagram is a highlight reel

When I mindlessly scroll through social media, I compare my looks to other girls. I see a girl with great hair and think, “What can I do to get hair like hers? I wonder if she has a 360 of her hair.” Or I see a girl with effortless makeup and think, “What products does she use? Maybe she’s just naturally beautiful. I wish I were pretty.” Yadayadayada. 

I try my hardest not to second-guess my looks, but with social media, it’s pretty dang hard. I always wonder why “influencers” and girls from my school look so flawless on their social media profiles. 

Then I think of all the countless times I’ve wanted a friend to delete a bad photo of me from their feed. Or the hours I spent choosing between two identical photos, thinking one looks better than the other. 

I realized that my Instagram feed does not capture the hard moments of life; it captures the good times only.  

My feed does not show the full aspects of being a teenage girl.

There aren’t any photos of me crying when I’m upset, taking out my Invisalign before I eat, or snoring when I’m asleep.

Because just like others, my Instagram feed only shows the “good” side of me. The one who has a boyfriend, goes on drives with her friends, and studies at cute coffee shops. 

Even though my Instagram feed is me, it doesn’t show the whole picture. It’s a highlight reel. 

So as I am scrolling in bed, double-tapping pictures, I try my best to stop comparing myself to the person inside the post. 

Because now I know that they’re human, just like me. 

-Mia <3