REAL | TALK

by dailykongfidence

We’re sitting in a local Mexican restaurant right after the lunch crowd has dissipated. Our kids are still at school as we take advantage of this is a rare moment alone together. While waiting for our tacos and salads to arrive, my husband looks to me and asks, “Do you feel pressure to dress up and look like you do on Instagram when you go out in case someone recognizes you?”

I gaze down at my “real” outfit of the day which is very different than the one I posted just an hour ago of me in a crop top and Levi’s, hair perfectly curled, and face full of makeup. I am wearing my usual – Lululemon leggings, a Lululemon tank, and flip flops with a bandage wrapped around my recently sprained ankle. “Are you trying to tell me something?” I instigate as my fresh face bare of any makeup crinkles into a smile.

This brings to question is Instagram a ruse? Am I a ruse? We scroll through our Instagram feeds and often see beautifully curated photos, exotic family vacations, people smiling and enjoying life, all with perfect lighting. What about the outtakes? The bad shots with the eyes closed or all the people in the backdrop that you don’t see? Those outtakes and the 50 more that exist don’t ever make it to Instagram, just that one perfect photo which has been edited to some degree is the only one we see. And that’s the one we compare ourselves to, get down on ourselves over, and wish our lives were just as exciting as the ones that appear on social media.

I’m guilty of it too. I look at other bloggers’ feeds and wonder how they are all so perfectly color coordinated and aesthetically pleasing. I know and fully understand the time it takes to put together a flatlay yet theirs always appears so effortless and straight out of a magazine. Why can’t mine look like that? Then I realize others may look at my feed with the same thoughts. And while my intent isn’t to show how “fabulous” my life is or how perfect I look all the time, it may come across that way.

So here’s the real deal: I use a professional photographer for most of my shots. I use filters to make the lighting more favorable, to highlight details of my outfits, and edit a pimple I may have on my face. I obviously haven’t posted a photo of me and my wrapped ankle. I don’t share personal aspects of my life – my kids, my family, my friends and leave those sacred moments sacred. I realize that this can come across as misleading or fake, yet it’s not.

There is definite truth to my photos in that I do dress like my Instagram portrays when I go out or need to be presentable, but the outfits I wear everyday (aka Lululemon) occur with more regularity in my life than the outfits I post on my Instagram feed. I shop for my own clothes and I style my own outfits and everything you see in my photos is me.

Do I worry that people will see me in my norm and question my real life vs. my Instagram life? Do I think moms at school look at me at drop off and wonder how is she a blogger when she looks nothing like her pictures? I do. And there are moments when I care and other moments when I could care less. Sometimes it makes me feel unsettled but I know who I am. And if I need to, I could take an extra 30 minutes to curl my hair and put on makeup and become that girl they all see on Instagram.

So why not post real life instead of posed photographs? I don’t know the answer to that quite yet as I am still figuring this all out as I go. I’ve begun to mix in a few candids and real #OOTD shots and the response has been amazing. I started this journey to inspire others through my style tips, fashion sense, and lifestyle and to one day look back and show my kids that I was cool and fashionable. And also, what you don’t see on Instagram, you get here. My personality, my thoughts, and my advice.

I guess what I am saying is that no one is perfect. Me included. So if you ever see me in real life, I may have no makeup on. I will appear shorter (because I’ve heard that one a lot). And heaven forbid if you see me without my sunglasses on too.

Let’s face it, the little squares we see on Instagram are not always true, everyday, real life. If you want to know my Instagram Life vs. Real Life, see below…

Instagram Hair (10%)
Perfectly curled and tousled

Real Hair (90%)
Hair tossed in a top knot or pony tail

//

Instagram Food (5%)
Donuts, triple scoop ice cream, fries

Real Food (95%)
Steelcut oats for breakfast, bar and avocado toast for lunch, and fish/ protein and veggies for dinner and a piece (or two) of dark chocolate for dessert

//

Instagram Makeup (2x a week maybe)
Foundation, highlighter, bronzer, lashes, lipgloss

Real Makeup (5x a week)
Sunscreen, brows, Vaseline

//

Instagram Stories (2-4x a month)
At social events, parties, unboxing free gifts

Real Life Stories (Every.Single.Day.)
Uber to my kids, volunteering at school, shopping at Trader Joes, and trying to think of meals of the family

This outfit is something I put together with pieces I’ve had in my closet for years (blouse and belt). The clutch, sunglasses, and shoes you’ve seen before in previous Instagram posts dispelling any myths that bloggers only wear things once or things that they are gifted/ sponsored. The only “new” purchase is the denim skirt that I actually purchased myself.

Shirt | Madewell (old) similar styles here and here
Skirt | Shein similar styles here and here
Belt | J. Crew (old) similar styles here and here
Bag | Essex LA
Sunglasses | Gentle Monster x Song of Style
Earrings | Via Saviene
Shoes | Dolce Vita similar styles here and here

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58 comments

Sheryl August 28, 2017 - 5:06 am

I love reading your post and the way you compare your Instagram life vs real life.

xx
Sheryl
http://www.SeguraAndCo.com

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Keri August 28, 2017 - 7:18 am

Love this outfit and loving the honesty in this post. It’s so hard to distinguish the real from the fake nowadays. This perspective should definitely be revealed more often! Not every moment in life is perfectly posed. We should share the candid moments more often. I need to work on this too!

Enclothed Cognition

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Camille August 28, 2017 - 7:41 am

I loved this post, you are right that Instagram and real life are two totally different things. I love this look too, so stylish! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Camille xo

http://www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk

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Cindy August 28, 2017 - 9:20 am

Thank you for opening up! I’m still shocked at the few rare moments when I do get recognized, but hey, we’re humans, too 🙂 I love your sense of style and think that as long as we stay true to who we are, our content will naturally reflect that. Keep up the great work babe!

xx Cindy
http://www.whenindoubtblog.com

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Nina Nguyen August 28, 2017 - 9:27 am

I loved this post babe, you are always so honest & I love that! You look amazing as always!
xx- Nina

http://www.ninalnguyen.com/2017/08/rock-those-basic-pieces.html

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Raysa García August 28, 2017 - 10:27 am

What an amazing post babe! I totally agree with you.
I try to keep things real on Instagram as well as in my real life. I stopped wanting to be perfect for people’s eyes. I’ll take things one day at the time. Why want to be or pretend to have everything under control when in real life the struggle is real.
Love your outfit! Those shoes are so darn cute.
Happy Week gorgeous! Xx

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Marie August 28, 2017 - 12:21 pm

What a beautiful and genuine post. I absolutely love how honest and open you are with your audience and it makes you even more appealing, approachable and likable. You are truly amazing and whether perfectly styled or in your everyday look, you’ve always been stunning. You are amazing in so many ways! Love this outfit and love your post!

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Julia Comil August 28, 2017 - 12:59 pm

It is a really good post and I can rely on it. Thanks for sharing it and being so real

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Jessi Malay August 28, 2017 - 1:02 pm

I love your button up shirt babe! it compliments you really well!

XO, Jessi

https://www.mywhitet.com/go-airport-looks

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Gracie August 28, 2017 - 7:34 pm

I love your Jean skirt. Perfect with your blouse. It’s funny if I am not blogging, I am in exercise clothes. Because with my busy schedule, I do not have time to think about what I am going to wear to lunch. Thank you for sharing this post.

Xxgracie

snappedbygracie.com

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Mariann Yip August 28, 2017 - 7:57 pm

I definitely appreciated this post because this is a topic that I think we should shed light on. There are times when I shoot an outfit and I actually don’t wear it on a daily basis. I am more of a plain comfy gal but I do use social media as an excuse to dress up so I can relate. It’s just important to know that social media is only a highlight of our lives and we show only what we want people to see.

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Bernice August 28, 2017 - 8:02 pm

This is also something on my mind as I am a blogger/influencer but also work as a manager who signs up influencers/bloggers/celebs for brand partnerships, and for our photoshoots. Nobody really dresses, or even eats how they are on social media all the time. We do have a “real” and “online” self which is okay as social media is an outlet, a way we connect with others and be versions of ourselves that we mostly like but won’t be able to keep up. I always think about food bloggers and how much food is definitely wasted for the perfect photo. At the end of the day, if we’re genuinely happy with who we are than that’s what is most important.

Bernice | IG @bunnybernice
https://www.bunnybernice.com/single-post/2017/08/29/MuLondon-Cleanser-and-Moisturiser-Review

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Candace August 28, 2017 - 8:21 pm

Your Instagram and real life are very similar to mine actually! I rarely wear makeup or dress up outside of Instagram. My food is never as pretty as I make it look on social sites. Though I share a lot on social media, I try to keep a lot of my personal life private. There is a such thing as too much sharing. Glad you brought these things up babe!

http://www.thebeautybeau.com

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Elizabeth August 28, 2017 - 10:26 pm

lThank you so much for sharing this very genuine and honest post, love <3 🙂 Although everyone knows that Instagram isn't a real depiction of life, it's still good to clear that up. I think we're all still learning as we use Instagram, and it's definitely a process to get to a state where you're comfortable with not censoring your content to make sure it's perfect. Very happy that you posted such a genuine post on the blog today!

XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/

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Margaret August 29, 2017 - 2:23 am

I think it’s time for people to know that it’s a profession instead of a hobby. In that way it’s more relatable to ‘off hour’ as in 9-5 office work when we are not in the most Instagrammable look. Btw, nice topic to discuss!

xx Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com

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Sheree August 29, 2017 - 3:05 am

Ok, amen, you know I LOVE this post! I share so many same struggles as the ones you’ve mentioned, sweatpants, tee shirt while picking up kids, I don’t even think any parents in my kid’s school realize I’m a blogger. Instagram is such a visual platform, everyone like to see beautifully curated feeds, we forget that behind these filtered images, lives a real person with real person struggles. I love it when I see bloggers do no makeup and no filter instastories, it really humanizes them and remind us that they aren’t perfect which is why I started doing some on my own Instastory and the results have been amazing. I think everyone knows that the Instafeed and real person is different, and we are the ones who tries really hard to maintain a front when in reality we don’t need to. Thanks for keeping it real!

xo Sheree
PoshClassyMom.com

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Ankita Bardhan August 29, 2017 - 4:37 am

Couldn’t agree more with you here what we portray on instagram or any social media for that matter is carefully crafted not real. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂

xx
http://realgirltalks.com/

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Aldora August 29, 2017 - 6:43 am

I love how you decided to come clean about your IG personality vs real-life. It is very much so for many IGers too and when I first looked at your feed, I was thinking how can you look so perfect? It took me a while to realise the sweat, blood and tears behind those beautifully curated photos and for those who cannot afford to hire a professional photographer – there is no need to beat ourselves up because IG is just so virtual nowadays. Our meaning in life is definitely beyond the number of followers & likes we get anyway. Thanks for sharing Christine and I must say I truly admire your style be it wearing old clothes or not 😉

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Samantha Mariko August 29, 2017 - 7:15 am

I’m so glad you opened up about this topic. I always wonder about this too, because as you also mentioned, I feel like the me on SNS is not always the natural me, and if that means I’m lying to my followers… but it’s kind of like modeling, doing an editorial for a magazine. It makes sense for us to look good with all the makeup and hair done, dressing well for our readers’ and followers’ viewing pleasure. And that’s also where I use the Instagram stories to show the more “real” me, since it disappears after 24 hours anyways 🙂

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Jenn August 29, 2017 - 9:39 am

I love your honesty in this post! Everyone got their own reasons in why they put up the pictures they post on Instagram. These reasons can range from business reasons to personal pick-me-ups to authentic raw “oh, I remember that moment in my life” memories. We are in control of our IG (and whatever social media is out there). These beautifully curated feeds show only the portion of ourselves we want to share to the world. This doesn’t mean we are being unauthentic. Thanks for being real with this post! I love your outfit as well!!

Simply,
Jenn

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Shannan August 29, 2017 - 9:49 am

Thank you for sharing your truth and being transparent when it comes to blogging. Sometimes people are so caught up in the beauty of a photo on social media that they believe this is real life. I love your page and keep doing what you do on Instagram and in real life!

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Manda August 29, 2017 - 2:09 pm

I think there’s a few of us that really really relate to this. Especially those of us that have families. My husband has asked me the same thing and I’m just like you in the fact that sometimes I care and other times I couldn’t care less. It’s pretty much the same for me. I do dress the way my feed says I do but not every single day. I do wear my hair like that but it’s pulled back more than it’s precisely curled. I often get messages from girls that are just starting blogging or girls that think I’m ‘perfect,’ I set them straight every time. This is a business. It’s advertising. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a big part of the real life me but first I’m a mom, planing family meals and in yoga pants none the less. I have photographers and photo editors but most of my time is spent just being a mom! I would say more times than not, when I’m approached, I look a HOT MESS! lol. I had a girl snap me once too looking like a fresh plate of crazy haired mom life. Her and her teenage friends giggling. lol In those times I often think of celebrities and the pressure that they must go through to look a certain way since they are legitimately always being documented. What a great discussion and I’m so glad you are discussing this topic! You are so encouraging and real and I adore that about you!

Manda | http://EvocativelyChosen.com

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Helen Chik August 29, 2017 - 5:20 pm

I think there’s a fine line of trusting what you can see on Instagram to real life. I definitely have days where I just live in sweats and oversized knits but I think whether or not I’m in blogging all women have those moments. We like to get dressed up and then we like to dress down. People look to bloggers to find how to dress up for certain occasions and that’s why it’s become a profession so to speak. I think most people are smart enough these days to discern that everything you see on Instagram is as it seems and its important to still live your own life at the same time!

Helen xx
http://helenchik.com

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Rachel Holliday August 29, 2017 - 6:09 pm

I seriously relate to this too! I think we can all look at the perfect Instagram feed and assume that the persons life is all glitz and glamour, but in reality we are all human!! The Instagram vs Real Life made me giggle 🙂 I often do dress the same in real life as I do on Instagram, but my style is very laid back and beachy. However, I confess that I will put on extra makeup just for photoshoots. Saying that, like your everyday life, my followers will never see me gardening in old PJs or picking up dog poo on the beach-haha!

I adore your outfit here- that frayed denim skirt is so effortlessly stylish. Love the color of the shirt too. I totally applaud you on the honesty of this post 🙂

Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net

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Jill Wright August 29, 2017 - 9:02 pm

Thanks for posting such a real blog! I’m not a fan of pretending to be perfect and buying into the world of Social Media. I’m the first to spill something on myself when I’m wearing white, I always smudge my lipstick and often I cruise around in jeans and Ugg boots or thongs… Nothing glamorous about that! Ha, ha. However, I do love seeing your fashion posts! Fab styling here. Great post – thanks for sharing. J. x

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Jill Wright August 29, 2017 - 9:03 pm

Thanks for posting such a real blog! I’m not a fan of pretending to be perfect and buying into the world of Social Media.
I’m the first to spill something on myself when I’m wearing white, I always smudge my lipstick and often I cruise around in jeans and Ugg boots or thongs… Nothing glamorous about that! Ha, ha. However, I do love seeing your fashion posts! Fab styling here.
Great post – thanks for sharing.
J. x

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Amy August 30, 2017 - 10:50 am

Hi Christine, I’m so glad you wrote this post because it is something I have struggled with and written about briefly in the past. I think you covered it perfectly and I’d love to continue the discussion on this topic! Honestly it was a relief to hear that you also tend to dress down during the week… I often go days without styling my hair or wearing any makeup! Does this make me disingenuous or living a social media lie? Yes and no, I think… it’s important to show the “real” aspects of ourselves and our lives as well, but beautiful and aspirational images do best! I think it’s just important to remember that social media is not real life and to take everything you see on it with a grain of salt. I’ve known for some time that you have a family and spend a lot of time with them, and I really respect you for keeping that side of your life private! I feel like I’ve been able to get to know the real and authentic you digitally, and that’s something that is very hard to do. Long winded way of saying – I respect what you are doing, admire how far you’ve come, and look forward to reading more!!!

xx, Amy
http://www.theluxilook.com

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Maggie August 30, 2017 - 12:00 pm

This was such a good ‘Real Talk’ post, Christine. I think about that often too. I’m usually in t-shirt in jeans most of the time and actually more often than not, I dress more edgy in “real life.” I’m that girl that lives in studs and leather jackets. Haha. However, I do love dressing up as well and those are usually the moments captured on Instagram. I don’t wear skirts as often because I literally have to put on a pair of shorts underneath for comfort and to keep perverts out of my life. Lol. Instagram is a platform for beautiful imagery and it’s our blogs that really let our personalities shine through. Sometimes that happens with Instastories as well. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing!

xoxo,
Maggie S.
❤Clothestomidnight.com

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Steph Shakes August 30, 2017 - 12:53 pm

Thank you so much for sharing! I think of Instagram as my “business/professional” account where I only post that 10% me too… the rest of the time I look like a bum, which is fine by me! ha!

http://stephshakes.com/

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Diana August 30, 2017 - 2:00 pm

Hard to believe that you dress up for Instagram, because whatever you wear, looks fantastic no matter what on you! You are quite tall and skinny, this aspects make you very photogenic! I never seen anyone who wears casual so good as you do! I actually fake heels girl (who wears high heels on photos and in real life, I wear only sneakers haha. Instagram is quite fake platform of happy people, when the truth most of bloggers depressed.

http://www.queenhorsfall.com/

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Michelle August 30, 2017 - 3:33 pm

I think it comes down to privacy. Just because we put ourselves out there – doesn’t mean the public is entitled to every single moment of our lives. I share a lot – I probably overshare, but sometimes I like to go out sans makeup and wear mom clothing and not get recognized – especially when I’m with my kids. I try to share what I actually wear when I’m out and about but we all throw on a pair of heels just for pics every now and again. And I don’t think that makes me fake. I actually think that’s what makes me real – we all have different sides to ourselves.
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/

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wanderlustts August 30, 2017 - 4:43 pm

This was an extremely interesting read to me. I think as a blogger, i can definitely relate to this. Sometimes I’d shoot in heels and have a pair of flats to change in the car. I’ll change into a sweater and put on some shorts and carry on with my day while only an hour ago I went full glam LOL. I think that’s why it so important for people to acknowledge that no one should look at someones social media account and believe it is like that 100% of the time. I heard that kids these days were more likely to develop depression because of social media platforms like instagram that mislead people to think they run a life more perfect than they really do. I think it’s okay as blogger to only portray what we want to because at the end of the day, we’re not blogging to share our personal life, but rather the style we like, what products we admire etc.
People just need to realize that of course, real life and social media are different because we obviously have control on what gets posted and what doesn’t.
With that being said, I do see your point but I think this is often the case with most people as well 🙂

Wanderlustts
http://www.wanderlustts.com

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Vanessa August 30, 2017 - 6:17 pm

Girl, you look gorgeous. I absolutely adore your look head to toe. It’s totally chic! I totally agree with you because as a mother of three and full time blogger is very easy to compare my Instagram life VS my real life. I am literally always on a rush and sometimes I don’t have time to wear make up or to ensembe the best outfit. I simply try to look presentable for the specific occasion. Sometimes we only share aspects of moments of our life that could be superficial to some people, but at the end, this is our work and I think it’s not superficiqal it’s a way to reflect and transmit to the others ways to look better or options to wear in order to make life easier when trying to create your looks.
You look so pretty, you definitely have a great sense of style! Thanks for sharing suich a great inspiration!
Vanessa

http://thefashionstatement.net

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Tandya August 30, 2017 - 9:03 pm

I love this post and I can totally relate! Instagram is not real life! At least not in my case. I only show the highlights and the best part of me. I honestly don’t even post Instastories of me after a work out. Lately I have been wanting to be more “real” on Instagram. I have started taking selfies and “from where I stand” photos, and I am actually trying to move away from a cohesive feed.”

I’ll never forget a class that I had in college, where my teacher explained that people want to post pictures of of the good, but not the bad. Her example was a girl posting a photo to her social media of tickets her husband purchased for them to take a trip to Hawaii, what she didn’t mention was that they had a huge argument and she kicked him out of the house prior…

Thank you for sharing! I love your Instagram and blog!
XO
Tandya
http://www.simplytandya.com

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Ashley August 31, 2017 - 6:28 am

hahahaha omg!!! I love love this post babe! I can totally relate!! My hubby call me “The real Miss Gunner” on the days when I’m in my pyjamas sitting around the house. It might not be pretty but you can’t be done up every single day!! The days that I wear no make up and hair in a bun are my best days!! Also it makes the days that I’m dressed up feels even more special. I mean it takes effort for me to look even half decent you know. I do think Instagram is a bit of a fantasy world. But i believe in being authentic to who you really are. The way i try to balance these out is by using my insta stories! its great for candid and normal stuff you do. Makes you more relatable. Thanks for bringing this up babe! Such a good read and trust me we all feel the same!!

xxx

Ashley

http://www.missgunner.com

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Sharon Wu August 31, 2017 - 3:40 pm

OMG this has to be one of my favorite posts of yours to date because I can relate to like, everything haha. My everyday outfit in Palm Springs when I’m not shooting is either nothing but a robe or like a loose tee and leggings! Super comfy but not exactly the most Instaworthy haha… I also basically never wear makeup on a day to day basis. I set aside maybe 2 days a week to shoot everything, where I do my hair and makeup… and the rest of the days are spent doing everything else but shooting (and I live off of dry shampoo! lol). Instagram is far from real life but sometimes it’s hard to remember that when we work so hard to curate our feeds, create blogs, etc… so, I’ve been trying to live in the moment more and just set aside some time in each day where I check in with myself with no cell phone around. It’s really refreshing and helps me not only stay true to myself but also have more of a balance in life 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic babe! xo, sharon

http://www.stylelullaby.com/lifestyle/pugs-life-staying-healthy-active-humankind-dog-food/

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Open Kloset August 31, 2017 - 3:53 pm

Hey Darling,
Hows you?
Totally agree with you and I get what you are saying… I do wear sometimes simple outfits what I thinks makes us Real Human being, when we don’t care about Instagram or whatever:)
I feel comfortable to have days like those:)
The most Important that we feel Good and Happy:)
Ps:,That Skirt is so Beautiful:) In Love:)
Happy Friday
Love Open Kloset By Karina

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merel August 31, 2017 - 4:02 pm

Loved reading this honest post! Thanks for sharing <3

X Merel
http://www.andathousandwords.com

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Jasmine K August 31, 2017 - 6:57 pm

Totally love this post! I agree with so many of the things you say. Whenever I have to shoot for the blog, I have to make sure my makeup is done, my outfit looks perfect and I order the “right” things so that I can take a photo. While others may live life like that every day, I sure don’t. I prefer not to wear any makeup on my face daily. Loved reading this post!

– Jasmine K
http://www.myeunoia.com

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Christine Comer August 31, 2017 - 8:19 pm

Yesssssss to this post!!! Love you girl! Keep on keepin on the realness– there’s nothing wrong with keeping Insta “dreamy”– what’s life without a little fantasy anyway? We have the rest of our lives to smack us in the face with reality, right? Xoxo

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NATALIEFASHION97 September 1, 2017 - 3:06 am

It’s so beautyful set! I love your sunglasses <3 and background 😉
Following my blog.
xoxo
NATALIEFASHION97

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Kris September 1, 2017 - 6:01 am

I guess all bloggers/instagrammers have this issue – I totally support your decision to show regular ootds as well! Also, I LOVE your outfit! That denim skirt looks amazing!

Have an amazing day!
xx Kris

https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com

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Kim Cao September 1, 2017 - 10:49 am

I love how real this post is..it makes me feel better for double posting the same piece on social media. I love your skirt btw!

http://www.KimCao.com

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Saida - She talks Glam September 1, 2017 - 1:43 pm

Such an inspiring and funny read Christine, I loved it! Not only could I relate to the comfy outfit + bare face 90% of the time, but I loved how honest and real your words were. In the city I live there are not many bloggers, but I don’t think anyone would recognise me on the street apart from my very supportive friends anyway, so I don’t usually worry about leaving the house in a non-Instaworthy ootd 😛 Love also that you put this outfit together with very classic and stylish pieces, adding that urban touch I always look for in my style too. You are a real inspiration and your followers can surely see that with a simple visit here!

Much love from England

Saida | She talks Glam

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Jessica September 2, 2017 - 9:31 pm

Really cute look there babe! I love the button down and ripped denim skirt. Also, we do portray a certain image on social media, and I dont think there’s anything wrong with that. We want to look good and feel appreciated for our efforts. We speak our minds and we share ideas. It is what it is. I guess we just have to remember that Instagram life is not always real life. Cheers babe!

Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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Lana September 2, 2017 - 11:31 pm

You know, most of the people blame Instagram for all these things you’ve mentioned, but I love Instagram for the same things.
I mean, I see real life everyday, rude and non-positive people, tired and stressed moms, people that doesn’t care about their outfit and appearance, so Instagram is like a better world for me (even if it sounds a bit strange). I love to be inspired by people, I love to see smiles and emotions and I love to look at beautiful moments of other’s life (even if this moments are fake). I think we just need to find a balance and not to be very stressed if in real life things look different, because…hey..it is REAL LIFE!

http://lanaluu.com

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Darya September 3, 2017 - 9:32 am

Hey Christine!

You are definitely not a ruse. We all have the same problem. I feel that I look very different in real life than on Instagram. I love wearing jeans, sneakers, and sport clothes. Though I usually wear a girly style on my blog. Thank you for your honesty and inspiration. I think we all need to be more open and to post real life: )

xoxo

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Thomas Falkenstedt September 3, 2017 - 12:36 pm

Well babe, this is a question I think about a lot, or rather thought about a lot. That was until I decided “I don’t give a crap” and just wander the streets in whatever I’ve got and feel comfortable in that. If someone, not that is has happened, would gaze and roll their eyes, it’s their problem, not mine. As for the other things you said, don’t ever compare yourself to others, however hard it may be. There will always be someone bigger, better and more beautiful than you (at least in your head). Keep up the work with the amazing blog you’ve got!
Thomas xx

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Ashleigh D'Mello September 3, 2017 - 7:12 pm

Loved this post babe – definitely something that we are all thinking, so you’re not alone! I for one definitely put more effort into my “shooting” outfits over my everyday errand running outfits. I don’t think it’s bad that we put more effort into creating our content and making sure the lighting/our makeup/the photo quality is better because in the end – it’s our business and we want to put the best into it, and there’s always a split between business and personal life in anyone’s lives! Ours is just slightly more different. Either way, it’s still you, just in a different way!

Ashleigh x
http://www.ashleighdmello.com

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bonjourchiara September 4, 2017 - 12:22 am

I loved so much reading these thoughts that I totally understand and share!!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com

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warren pasi September 4, 2017 - 1:31 pm

Such a great post babe! I love the honesty and totally get what you are talking about! Hope you have a fab week and I love the outfit especially those sunglasses very chic!!! XOWP

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Irene | Hint of Grey September 4, 2017 - 9:41 pm

such a real post for sure! Definitely can’t get too hung up on scrolling perfect images on ig. Those are just our creative outlets!

http://www.hintofgrey.com | Hint of Grey

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Lisa Linh September 5, 2017 - 10:20 pm

This is amazing and I love that you talked about this because for the longest time, I thought the same thing. When I focused on fashion blogging much more last year, I kept asking myself, how can I always dress in comfy clothes yet post all these other looks up. It’s not real, it’s me but it’s not. I personally realized that fashion wasn’t for me and that I rather be comfortable all the time and if I ran into someone IRL than it’d be completely fine if I wasn’t dressed up. For me, I had come to realize what was more important and it was the words I’m writing and how I’m talking about topics, presenting them, and conveying them to help my audience versus what I look.
Of course, I know no other bloggers really think this way and I feel completely outcasted a lot but at the end of the day, I’m happy with myself so that’s all that matters. I would suggest to keep mixing in the candids, to do IG stories where you’re in your natural state so people understand that we aren’t perfect all the time LOL although we wish we were!
Thanks for bringing this up babe!!

Lisa Linh
http://www.bylisalinh.com

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marcy September 6, 2017 - 4:34 am

OMG babe absolutely love reading your post and I was talking with Robert about this while we were doing a road trip in Madagascar. Many people think the life we show on Instagram is absolutely perfect staying in luxurious places, flying first class but its actually only 10% of your real life. But that how humans and every person works we often been ask things and we always want to stay positive or give a positive answer but not everything is perfect in life. Like for example will I recommend a place I had so much difficulties traveling even though I have beautiful Instagram shots from that place?
Thank you for sharing real talk babe!!!!

xoxo
Marcy

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Selin September 6, 2017 - 1:50 pm

I love your honestly in this post, and your style is great!

http://www.selin.life/2017/09/a-decor-wish-list.html

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Jo September 6, 2017 - 3:11 pm

This post is totally spot on. There is a “curated” aspect to blogging, but it doesn’t mean it is not truthful or authentic. I follow bloggers on Insta that purely share about their niche of expertise and I appreciate their helpful tips and insight. I never thought these bloggers were less authentic just because they don’t share everything about themselves, that’s just not what their blogs are about. As a fashion and beauty blogger myself, I also never really thought about sharing my personal life on my blog or on my Insta because that’s not what I write about. I’m just happy to have a little slice of the internet where I can share a part of what I’ve love. Keep on doing what you do, girl! You’re doing an amazing job <3

xo, Jo

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sophie September 8, 2017 - 6:09 am

This outfit is so simple yet so perfect.I love the grey mixed with the denim.
http://sophieatieno.com

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lesley kim October 18, 2017 - 9:23 pm

I enjoyed reading this post because of its authenticity. I can relate to having a real life vs a blogger/social media “persona.” Thanks for sharing!

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