Stop trying to prove that you have a life

I love social media.

I love the connection it brings, the entertainment that’s offered, and the fact that I can create something then share it (most of the time to share value, other times to cope with the world lol). I’d do something every day just to increase my digital footprint - or at least let people know I’m still active online. I’d post IG stories, reshare posts that resonate, upload my new edits, etc.

But since life is happening (when is it ever not tho?) I haven’t been as active I usually am. I’ve been so wrapped up in tasks and personal matters that I simply don’t have time to post anything.

I know this is giving “first-world problem” vibes but trust me, I have a point.

Despite the busyness during this past week, I was still able to spend a lot of time outside - going to a bunch of places, reconnecting with so many people (online and IRL) - and naturally, I took a lot of photos. Photos that are currently just sitting in my photos app.

The other day, I realized that I wasn’t able to share anything that I got to do on social media and I thought, “what if I just dump all my pictures on my IG and add text to describe each one?” Then I thought, “well, what if I check for any usable BROLL and make a quick recap reel? maybe throw in a caption that says ‘the grind never stops 🔥’?” (chz)

I don’t know about you, but as someone who works in social media AND also aspires to be a full-time content creator, having thoughts like this is quite normal. But when I caught myself thinking about all this, I couldn’t help but ask a follow up question:

“Why do you want to post so bad, Iza?”

I’m grateful that I’ve reached this point in life where I can be completely honest with myself. And I thank God that in the midst of all the worldy things I still put so much importance to, I have moments like this where I can choose to ground myself. Because my 100% honest and vulnerable answer?

I wanted to make myself feel good. Particularly, I wanted to make myself feel good by making people see.

See my busy schedule.
See how I was ticking so many things off my to-do list.
And see that despite my problems, I was still gracefully showing up.
Or at least, that’s what I was hoping people would perceive it as.

There was no value to share, there was just my ego that needed craved a little boost. That’s when I realized a huge part of me wanted to prove that I had “a life.” Thankfully, I just decided to put my phone away and went back to watching Abbott Elementary.

In a world where "pics or it didn't happen" has become an unspoken rule, it's revolutionary to realize that your experiences are valid even when they're not broadcasted. Your joy doesn't need witnesses to be real. Your growth doesn't need likes to count. Your journey doesn't need a highlight reel to matter.

Am I still going to share posts/celebrate certain milestones/post food pics online? Absolutely. Sharing messages and stories online is still beautiful. It can build communities, inspire others, and create meaningful connections. Heck, I literally posted this blog (and will continue creating content) with the hope that it positively impacts someone.

But there's a difference between sharing from abundance and sharing from lack - between wanting to contribute and needing to prove. One feels like freedom…the other feels like chains.

Remember: You don't owe the internet your presence. You don't need to document every win. You don't have to turn every moment into content. That coffee date can just be a coffee date. That personal milestone can just be yours to celebrate. That peaceful morning can just be...peaceful.

So let's normalize having amazing weeks that never make it to Instagram. Let's normalize achieving goals without announcing them. Let's normalize being so wrapped up in the beauty of living that we actually forget to post about it.

Because at the end of the day, the only person who needs to know you're thriving is you. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is close the app, put down the phone, and simply be where you are – unfiltered, undocumented, and utterly alive.

After all, isn't that what "living your best life" really means?