Finding the line between inspiring others and being supremely annoying

Highlight Reel via InspiredRD.com

I have fun with social media.  Sometimes too much fun.  Some days I realize that all of my “sharing” paints a too-perfect picture of my life that just isn’t true.  While I don’t think it’s a bad thing to post photos of my beautiful veggies and sweet kids, I have to realize that it can become annoying if I don’t throw a little reality check in every once in a while.

So here it goes:

  • Joe hit Leila on the head with a rock today.  They were both throwing rocks at each other…in front of a bunch of windows.
  • Sometimes my kids go an entire day without eating a vegetable.
  • Sometimes I give into the urge to eat a candy bar for lunch.
  • If I don’t get instant feedback on a project I feel like a failure.
  • I procrastinate and make piles and have to spend tons of energy just to be a tiny bit organized.
  • Sometimes I wonder if I should quit everything and put on a denim jumper and homeschool the kids (just kidding about the jumper).
  • I rarely take the time to properly mop the kitchen floor.  I run the vacuum over it and call it good.
  • The other day I was telling my mother-in-law about how well behaved the kids are…five minutes later they were both throwing full-on tantrums.
  • Sometimes I stare blankly at my fridge full of organic veggies and order out for dinner instead.
  • I desperately want to do good in this world, and sometimes that makes me push too hard for something that isn’t supposed to be.
  • As much as I want to share a photo of what I look like at this moment in my Saturday sweats and crazy hair, I don’t want to give anyone nightmares.

In other words, I’m not perfect, my kids aren’t perfect, and what I share with you on a daily basis is meant to inspire, not defeat or annoy.  Just know that behind every perfect pose are a hundred mess-ups, behind every smiling kid photo is a “But Mommmmmmm”, and behind every styled food photo is an un-mopped kitchen floor.

Finding the line between inspiring others and being supremely annoying (via InspiredRD.com)

{how NOT to do a side lunge}

So how about you?  Have any behind-the-scenes material you want to share?  

  • Corinne February 9, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    And, I love you even more. Super awesome post, Alysa! 😉

    • inspiredrd February 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks lady, you inspire me to be me!

  • Amy Cornwell February 9, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    1) I spend way too much time on my phone
    2) at bedtime, I want nothing more than to sit on the couch and do nothing for three straight hours
    3) I struggle with a judgement spirit
    4) I’m the same re: mopping the floor
    5) piggybacking #4, I don’t clean our bathroom nearly enough, because we’re the only two who see it
    Oh, how I could go on and on 😉

    • inspiredrd February 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      I’m with you on #5. For sure.

  • Keeley McGuire February 9, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Love the post! So true!!!
    Pfft, we had a good breakfast and even though I fed little miss a good lunch,.. I myself just ate half a bag of BBQ chips. And it was delicious.
    We’re all human. Your blog title says it all INSPIRE. That’s why we post what we do and when — to inspire. That’s how I learned so much, from others. You’re NEVER annoying! Your posts.. Pictures… Are always beautiful and inspiring.

    • inspiredrd February 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you Keeley! Mmmmm…BBQ chips… 🙂

  • Heidi Hatch February 9, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Enjoyed your post, Alysa! I can totally relate; I wouldn’t dream of posting something negative on Facebook or Twitter — it just feels so counter cultural to the norms! So, here goes:
    1) I don’t exercise, and I know I should;
    2) I eat all the wrong foods;
    3) I am getting solar panels for my house, but I don’t recycle;
    4) I am petrified of public speaking;
    5) I do my best to stay organized, but somehow I’m just not;
    5) My kids are grown, so I rarely cook OR clean;
    6) I care about things like oppression and overcoming injustice to the degree I fear I annoy everyone!
    Thank you for your transparency and the freedom to share a few of our own flaws on your post!

    • inspiredrd February 9, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      Thank you for sharing Heidi! #3 totally cracked me up, and #6 ME TOO, SISTER.

  • rachel @runningrachel February 9, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    Love!! Thank you! I smiled at all your ‘confessions’ because I can SO relate!! 🙂

  • Eunice February 9, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    Thanks! I never thought about it any of those things.
    I’m almost too insecure to write some of them down
    I didn’t put my blog address on the form because I haven’t written in months
    I eat Late July Summertime Blues chips for lunch on Saturday.
    We won’t begin to talk about the kitchen floor.
    I am a night owl also. If it weren’t for coffee I couldn’t function. Uh, I think that’s two.
    And the list could go on.

    • inspiredrd February 9, 2013 at 7:21 pm

      Yay for coffee!!

  • Leah Smith February 9, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    I LOVE this post! I often too think about how the life that is portrayed through posts and pictures can seem all too perfect. No one is perfect! I have to keep telling myself this. But, always striving to do better/be better is all that matters.

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Yes! I struggle with the comparison trap so often.

  • Amanda February 9, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    Thank you so much for this! I’ve heard that quote, but slightly different, “You can’t compare your insides with someone’s outsides.”

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      oooh I like that one too. Thanks for sharing!

  • Angelique Gertig February 9, 2013 at 10:11 pm

    which is exactly why we love your blog! INSPIRE is right! we all need outside “inspiration” to push us to strive beyond our comfort zones…thanks for sharing a little of the “real” you! I’m so right there with you on the mopping the floor, and deciding to eat out despite all the good stuff in the frig and,
    – I struggle with a judgmental spirit
    – can’t seem to give up my highly processed sugary coffee creamer
    – wish I had spent more time with my kids when they were little, and less time working
    but I am God’s work in process for sure 🙂

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Thanks Angelique, I appreciate your support so much.

  • Amanda, RD- The Nutritionist Reviews February 10, 2013 at 6:11 am

    I really love this article. Thanks so much for your honesty.

    My confession:
    I am a dietitian and went out to an all you can eat pizza buffet lest night. Whoops : )

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Haha Amanda! Love your confession 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  • Kalyn February 10, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I just knew that I really liked you, but this confirmed it:

    “Sometimes I stare blankly at my fridge full of organic veggies and order out for dinner instead.”

    I am so bad about doing that!

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Feels good to come clean, doesn’t it? 🙂 You’re the best Kalyn!

  • Kacia February 10, 2013 at 9:16 am

    My floors are in dire need of a good cleaning.

    And we usually order takeout the day I go get groceries. #fail

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Yay, we can be dirty floor buddies!

  • Lisa February 10, 2013 at 10:37 am

    What a breath of fresh air!

    1. Haven’t done a real workout in about 6 weeks.
    2. Procrastinate. Put everything in to-do piles that I hardly ever revisit…
    3. Find a lot of good intentions molding at the back of the fridge.
    4. In spite of reminding myself to eat mindfully every time I sit down to eat, always end up wolfing down my meals.
    5. Wear the same pair of jeans so long that they get stretched out & I can tell myself I’ve lost weight.

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Great list Lisa!! Feels good, doesn’t it? 🙂

  • Robin February 10, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Oh my gosh, can I just copy your list? I felt like I was looking at myself in the mirror 🙂

    • inspiredrd February 10, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Haha, go ahead!

  • Leonor @FoodFaithFitness February 10, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    This is one of the best posts ever! Everyone paints this picture of perfection. That’s one reason why I got rid of FB. It annoys me to no end. The perfect kids, hubbies, house, vacations….. I wish people would stop the fakeness and start being real. I vacuum and call it a day too!

  • Bean Bytes 24 February 10, 2013 at 10:00 pm

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  • Danica @ It's Progression February 11, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    such a great post…that first quote is so true!!

    • inspiredrd February 11, 2013 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks Danica!

  • Presley @ Run Pretty February 11, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    These are my favorite types of posts BY FAR. Love it!

    • inspiredrd February 11, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      Yay me too, thanks!

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  • Michelle P. February 15, 2013 at 12:06 am

    I’m new to your blog. Just looked around a bit and stumbled on this post. This post – it is what is making me add you to my feed reader. I could so relate to so much of what you posted! Could we be long-lost sisters? Seriously, my list would include the same ones you posted as #2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10! And if Snickers bars didn’t make me sick, I’d be with you on #3 also! 🙂
    Thanks for being real. I’m looking forward to following your posts.

    • inspiredrd February 15, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Mmmm…Snickers… 🙂

      Thanks for sticking around Michelle! Sometimes I get the nudge to post something like this just to make sure I’m keeping it real!

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