A friend said something to me the other day that really struck a chord & led me to the sentiment on this post.
She said: “Holiday cards that families send out, were social media, before there was social media.”
That was brilliant (& maybe she stole it from somewhere & you guys are laughing at me bc it’s this common understanding ppl already have😂)…but whoever came up w it, it’s so on point.
We get these beautiful cards each year, where the fams are all looking straight into the camera – & even the dog has a smile & its eyes are focused on the lens. The backdrop is some winter wonderland like the one here.
Meanwhile it took screaming at the kiddos to wipe the chocolate off their face & pay attn to the photographer, & screaming at their significant other to stop checking something on their phone, to get that perfect shot.
I get it – going back to the days of pics even being able to be carried, grandparents would keep their black & whites of their grandkids in their purses or wallets, & show every friend (& even stranger :)) they could, what a beautiful family they had. There is nothing wrong w us being proud of who is in our lives.
But…what we can’t do, is compare our situations, to those still shots, that are now shared not just in person, but all over social media.
Especially w the last 2 yrs, loved ones have passed. Those who passed before this stretch, we’ve had so much time to reflect & miss them even more. Family relationships are strained bc every decision we make is on full display. Politicians, doctors, “experts,” people we look to for guidance, all have diff opinions as to who should & shouldn’t be invited to our houses.
All I’m saying is – there’s not a person on this planet right now who has it “perfect.” Heck our fam (brother/sis in law) just had a baby – top of the world emotions…but we’re still dealing w the same obstacles in getting everyone together that everyone else (at least I know of), is.
Give yourself space for you to feel whatever you feel right now. Just try to find pockets OF this time, to reflect on what you can be even the slightest bit appreciative of & thankful for.
