THE REEL AND REAL

 Have you ever experienced a strange discomfort while scrolling through perfectly curated images of rooms, bodies, and lifestyles on Instagram? It often feels like the reality in front of you—the world you live in—and the world on your digital device are two opposite poles of a magnet. Your messy room, unfiltered skin, and chaotic surroundings don’t align with the flawless reality presented online. For a moment, you might wonder: Why does this social media reality feel so different from my own?

It happens to all of us, or maybe would have happened at at least one instant of time . We are bombarded with images of pristine curtains hanging with such symmetry that even the slightest wrinkle could send someone into a panic. Rooms look like they came straight from a Pinterest board, and meals are so perfectly plated they seem unreal. It’s as if the physical world is being replaced by a hyper-stylized version, where imperfections and messiness are forbidden, and everything revolves around looking aesthetically pleasing from others' viewpoints.

But here's the twist: when you step out of your digital bubble and observe those seemingly perfect spaces or bodies, the reality is often far different. Social media apps are so many times used to escape reality.

The curtains in that photo of the room ? They may not be the immaculately arranged fabric they appear on screen; in reality, they could have been carefully positioned, lit perfectly, and edited with filters to just to make a reel that makes the curtain as if they belong in a luxury catalog. And those perfectly sculpted bodies or jaw-droppingly ripped physiques? The truth behind those photos often involves meticulous editing, hours of work, or even substances that many do not discuss—like steroids. It’s a version of reality that is sculpted, filtered, and photoshopped to create something unattainable.

Social media platforms are places where people showcase the best of the best. They often try to escape from their flaws, imperfections, and insecurities by curating idealized versions of themselves and their surroundings. The happy relationship, the fun weekend, the party at the pub, the dream holiday—these snapshots may just be a perfectly crafted aesthetic moment, often achieved through multiple retakes for the perfect reel/picture. It’s not just about showing what’s real; it’s about showcasing what’s aspirational. The filters, angles, and lighting are all meticulously planned to hide imperfections and amplify the attractiveness.

However, this perfection is an illusion. The problem arises when we start comparing our own lives, bodies, and homes to these curated versions. When we see someone else’s “perfect” life on Instagram, we may begin to question why our reality doesn’t look the same. We might even feel like something is wrong with us as if we are not enough.

This growing sense of dissatisfaction is one of the darker sides of social media, where everyone seems to be living their best, perfect lives. However, the cost of this pursuit of perfection is real. We may escape reality, but sometimes it is to a place that doesn’t even exist—the "reel."

Ultimately, it’s essential to remind ourselves that what we see on social media is just one part of a larger story. It’s the highlight reel, not the behind-the-scenes moments. People have bad days, homes get messy, and bodies age or fluctuate. The next time you scroll through a picture-perfect feed, remember that it’s okay for things to be imperfect.

In a world that constantly tries to sell us the idea that perfection is attainable, it's easy to get lost. But perfection isn’t real, and it’s certainly not the key to happiness. Whether you take a walk, read a book, write a book, socialize, or find a new hobby, the important thing is that you’re choosing to live in the present moment—without the need for digital validation. When you reconnect with the world around you, the little perfect curated world of social media starts to feel a lot less important. And in the end, the real life you’re living is more than enough.

 After all, real life is not perfect; it’s messy. It is the imperfections in life that make it perfect—and that’s what makes it beautiful.