An Online Presence and Offline Life

you can have it all

Life has been busy. Busy in ways that have kept me offline, and that got me thinking: are we being authentic, if we’re curating our content and conversations?

What I decide to share on Instagram (and the Internet in general) are the things that allow for a surface-level glimpse into my life, without invading my own privacy. From my Instagram, you might learn that I love easing into my day, and that I love to read. You’ll see a series of coffee walk posts and moments from work that I’m able to share.

I don’t post my most intimate thoughts or personal moments on the Internet. It’s a place I go to strictly express myself visually…which is generally speaking, the big critique about social media (that we’re only showing a curated look into our lives).

My unpopular opinion is that this is how the Internet should be used. Not only out of safety, but also because who really deserves to know the best and worst parts of you and your life? Why should strangers have access to you, your loved ones and your most personal details?

The moments that I’ve chosen to keep off-screen are not behind the scenes, as if life is some sort of public production — they’re me living. By intentionally deciding what I’m comfortable sharing, I get to form virtual relationships with others who also enjoy the topics I’m comfortable opening up about. I also get to put my phone away and live in the moment when to me, it matters.

Of course, there is temptation to capture additional moments and share them on Instagram; it’s natural to want to talk to other people when something good, bad or new happens. I’m just trying to be more intentional with when and how I do that, and advocating for you to do the same. At times, social media does feel the right place to share. But for me more often than not, picking up the phone to call someone special, or sitting with myself in the moment feels even better.

So my friends, the answer is yes. You are fully allowed to choose which pieces of yourself you share with the world: we curate topics and share authentically within their boundaries.

My piece of advice here is to honor what you decide. Your brand or business will not suffer because you don’t disclose your entire life, or because you don’t have an around-the-clock posting schedule. Let people in through topics you’ve chosen, and simply leave the rest out. No cryptic posts or apologies necessary.

Is this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts.