30 days of reality

My Facebook feed is filled with holidays, date nights, family picnics and goals achieved. It’s like the online version of family dinners from my childhood; where Mum would make us go around the table sharing the best thing about our day. I’m thrilled that great things are happening for my friends – they’re good people – but I’ve learned that on days when I spent too much time on social media, the shine comes off my own day. Here’s why: I’m comparing my behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlights reel.

This weekend I read this post by Tiny Savages. It’s good. I’ll wait here while you read it. To counteract the highlight-reel effect, she’s proposing a photo challenge of real bits, not reel bits. I think its a genius idea and I hate the idea that my presence on social media could make people feel lousy, so this month I’m sharing the not-fit-for-TV side of life in Casa de Cooker.

Yesterday’s topic was toilet so its likely real life will cost me some social media followers, and I’m OK with that. In fact, for every departure (or unlikely arrival) I’m going to donate a dollar to the Hamlin Fistula Clinic in Ethiopia. My starting stats are 1,522 Facebook likes and 518 Instagram followers.

1. Dirt. Sometimes he remembers to take them off outside. The kids, less often.

2. A food that is not photogenic. This poor forgotten cob of corn deserved better. We’ll still eat it though, I’m a cut-the-ends-off kinda gal

3. Toilet. They didn’t need to go fifteen minutes ago, so now we’re here, trying not to touch anything.

5. Blue. Assorted selection of discarded toys. On the floor. Always. #realityaday

6. An unwashed child. #realityaday

7. Dead or dying plant. Wattle dying in a jar on my kitchen bench alongside a few dead lightbulbs I need to buy replacements for. #realityaday #vignettesfortheunfashionable

8. A utility bill. Ugh. #realityaday

9. Someone annoying. She’s critical, impatient, untidy and hard to please. #realityaday

10. A craft/bake fail. Failed string balloon attempt. Curse you seemingly easy Pinterest tutorials and Queensland humidity! #realityaday

11. A secret beauty routine. Vitamins supposed to help me get some beauty sleep. #realityaday

12. Laundry. I’m even lucky enough to have a happy helper today. Awesome. #realityaday #notactuallyhappy #notactuallyhelping #notactuallyawesome

I’ll update my photos here, but if you prefer your reality in real time, you can follow along on Facebook and Instagram. I’m using the hashtag #realityaday. I figure the very worst that can happen this month is the world sees my failings, that photo where my eyes look like they’re pointing in different directions and a lady in Ethiopia whose reality makes mine pale in significance is made well.

is social media getting you down?
want to see the ugliest bit of my foot?

Comments

Have A Laugh On Me says

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I really LOVE the new makeover, fresh, clean and crisp – just how I like my wine! And for reality, that is the only way I roll! Happy Monday lovely xx

- Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
  
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  Thanks Em. Reality is what you do best! 🙂
  
Lisa @ bakebikeblog says

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LOVE THE NEW LOOK!!!

- Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
  
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  Thanks Lisa. Still a work in progress! Where are my latest posts? Eeeek!
  
BOYEATSWORLD says

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Looks fab Amanda! And I’m sure you’re going to rock reality

Carli says

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Thanks for joining in, I still haven’t shared the ugliest part of my foot – that should be a real test! Site looks great too 🙂

Rachel says

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Love the new look – very clean and easier to find your way around. As some one who has just been through the “install new theme then spend weeks trying to work out how to organise everything” agony I feel your pain with the lost recent posts widget – hoping it turns up soon for you!

I love the sound of Carli’s reality challenge – unfortunately as you have no doubt realised I am not very good at sticking to things like that 🙁 But I will be cheering you on from the sidelines xx

nanna cootes says

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HI AMANDA .
DO YOU REMEMBER I DID THAT WHEN I HAD YOU KIDS AT ALL THE CAMPS I TOOK YOU TO WHEN WE WERE ALL IN OUR BUNKS AT BED TIME.
HAPPY DAYS
LOVE NANNA

- Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
  
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  Hi Nanna, I remember.
  The older I get, the more in awe I become of you taking our rag-tag bunch away. You should have worn a cape!
  Love Amanda x