Whether it's our intention or not, our social media profiles show the highlights reel of our lives.
Take this photo from our holiday to Fraser Island for example...
Looks perfect right? The sun is shining, the waves are crashing, there's not a soul about.
What this picture doesn't tell is the rest of the story.
- The Big Sister is sitting in the back, complaining her tummy hurts.
- The Little Sister informed us five minutes ago that she needs to do a poo but Bearhands is making her wait. She's complaining.
- The sand is soft; we're not travelling on the ideal time because Bearhands wants to get home to the farm while its still daylight.
- It's blowing a gale outside.
- Ten minutes after this photo was taken we pull up near the beautiful Cathedral rocks. I dig a hole and the Little Sister fills it.
Four hours from now there will be the great chocolate milk vomit of 2015 and I will find myself standing on the side of the highway, baby wipes in hand, trying to clean up the mess as best I can.
Four hours and fifteen minutes from now as I drive home alone with the kids I will feel something itchy on my leg. I'll scratch it and, in doing so, get vomit on my fingers and spend the following three hours trying not to scratch anything else.
Last year I completed the 30 days of reality challenge - the brain child of the blog formerly known at Tiny Savages. I showed folks the ugliest part of my foot and for every follower I lost (or gained) I donated a dollar to the Hamlin Fistula Clinic in Ethiopia. My foot must be pretty ugly because at the end of that month I donated $250 to the clinic.
This year I've designed a new list to fully illustrate the not-fit-for-television side of my life. You're welcome to join me if you'd like.
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. My starting stats are: Facebook: 2354, Instagram 771.
The aim of the game is to provide an antidote to the highlights reel and help ladies in Ethiopia whose real life makes my reality seem like a fairy tale.
do you compare your behind-the-scenes with others' highlight reel?
are you ready to see the unidentified contents of my fridge drawers?
claireyhewitt01 says
A wonderful organisation to give to. I'll be following, not sure I can join in (it's probably too easy for me)
Amanda Smyth says
They do such amazing work Claire. Feel free to pick a day that stands out for a one-day cameo if the mood strikes!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I can't wait to jump on board - I just have to remember to do it - here's to the ugly, the smelly and the messy! I don't get envious of others because I know they too and dealing with shit but probably just don't like talking about it, unlike moi!
xx
Amanda Smyth says
I also think when the sh!t hits the fan, we're so busy ducking we don't have time to whip out our phones. 🙂
Maxabella says
Are you going to show your foot again? Just askin'. You're a good egg, Ms Cooker. x
Amanda Smyth says
No foot this year Bron, but I promise the rest of it will be equally as ugly!
PS. Means a lot coming from you, thanks x
Jo @ Countrylifeexperiment says
I certainly have the material to photograph around here, though I never manage to make it more than a day in a photo a day challenge. I will be following along though!
Toni (Finding Myself Young) says
Oh this is awesome {although I'd probably lose all my likers!}.
Lydia C. Lee says
Nice idea (and good cause!) I don't mind the highlight reel - I see it more as celebrating the wins...(when the sh*ts going down, you really need to celebrate the good things so much more)
Amanda Smyth says
That's a fab way to look at it Lydia.
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I don't remember seeing your foot. Or maybe I did? I was probably in a newborn fog. This is such a great idea Amanda! I will join in when I remember.
Amanda Smyth says
Great to have you onboard Bec! x
A Q U I R K Y B I R D says
Such a great idea. But, like Emily it just remembering to do it. I've got a killer invention, camera eyes, oh what I could take photos of.....Zoe xx
Amanda Smyth says
Thanks for joining in Zoe!
Annette says
Great idea!
Amanda Smyth says
Thanks mate. x
Doc says
"Chocolate Vomit of 2015"...good to see others have normal lives.
I found myself a few decades back covered in baby formula vomit while on a long road trip. I climbed in the back of the pick up truck, stripped naked and changed cloths. Oh yea, forgot to mention it was the side of a busy roadway. I ignored the horns of passing cars and continued the change.
Makes for many memories.
Amanda Smyth says
Oh Doc - that formula vomit has a smell all of its own, doesn't it? 🙂