Let's talk about the ridiculousness that is social media perfection.

Strike that. Social media PERCEPTION.

Social media has created this warped sense of reality that not only cultivates an unfair feeling of comparison among pretty much every woman in the world ever, but houses self doubt, anxiety, and this obnoxious need to meet expectations of a false-world reality that doesn't exist.

You've heard it a million times before. So hear it again. And take it to heart. Social media is almost always people portraying only the best version of themselves, their families, their jobs, their homes, their lives. It's like a high school reunion only every day of your life. The scary and icky parts aren't shared with the world.

These photos were taken 1 hour apart. They are both the exact same me.

The one on the right is about 5 minutes before I left for work. My face is contoured, hair freshly washed and styled, I'm accessorized and the lighting is flattering.

The one on the left is what I look like 99.9% of the time when I'm not at work.

Wait, that's not true. My hair is actually blown dry in the photo on the left....

Take the one on the left, insert wet hair slopped onto the top of my head with a 12 year old scrunchie and probably some sort of conditioning treatment... THAT is what I look like 99.9% of the time. My husband is a lucky guy ;)

The point is... don't let the photos and stories on the Internet affect your self worth in any way on any day. Ever.

This is a big reason I always keep it real with you. My life is far from perfect. My kids are insane. The stories I share are cringeworthy half the time but they are real and raw and I share because I never want anyone to feel alone.

Yes, my kids know how to smile for a photo on command and though I'm biased... my little people are pretty darn cute. They're also gross. And mouthy. And weird. And wonderfully imperfect.

Also... when my hair is like the photo on the left my boys call me mommy lion, which is kind of awesome.

So forget social media standards. Because they're stupid. And if you want to feel better about yourself as a parent... follow me on here for a few weeks. I guarantee it will make you feel better as a mom, ha!

Nicki - Momming all the Boys