Living Authentically on Social Media

What does it look like to live authentically on social media? We have a few ideas.

That fashion influencer on Instagram. That friend whose life seems perfect on Facebook. Those “What I eat in a day” videos on Tik Tok. Ever spent a few minutes scrolling through your favorite social media app only to walk away wondering if that influencer’s life is really as perfect as it seems?

We’re all well aware that for most of us, social media is a carefully curated highlight reel of our lives. We show the pretty, clean, neat and amazing things, but we’re less likely to delve into the messed-up, imperfect parts of our homes and our lives. So, as we consider what it means to live authentically here at The Bookery, what does it look like to live authentically on social media?

Here are a few things an authentic approach to social media is—and isn’t.

1. Your comments match up with your posts. Always posting about Jesus, but offering caustic comments and angry diatribes elsewhere? If you’re seeking to live out your faith authentically, your words and your actions need to match up, online and in real life.
   

2. You recognize that social media isn’t your diary. It’s well recorded here at The Bookery: we think there is great value in journaling and working through your emotions. But social media isn’t necessarily the place to do that. Being authentic and real is to be admired, but so is being wise. And it isn’t wise to share every emotion you ever feel or every passing thought you have to everyone who follows you on social media. There are emotions, situations and events in your life that need to be trusted to a small group of godly advisers. So rather than using your social media to work out your emotions, try journaling in a Google document or in an old-school journal, where you can go back and trace how God was working in your life rather than blasting it to everyone on your friends list, from that coworker from three jobs ago to your great aunt. Also remember that many companies look at your social media as part of the review process for getting a job.
   

3. When you’re wrong, you admit it. Maybe you share an article that you later realize isn’t true or you make a statement in anger or frustration (we all have those moments!). Whatever it is, if you’re wrong, you say so. If you’re the recipient of negative comments, you respond to them with grace rather than anger.
   

4. Recognize when you’re not acting like yourself. It can be easy to create a curated version of your life on social media or take on a persona on social media that doesn’t quite fit with who you really are. We all want to present the best version of ourselves to the world, but acting like someone you’re not or creating an “I’ve got it all together and you don’t” persona on social media isn’t the best way to do that. Here are some quick ideas of practical ways to be more real on social media:

   1. Don’t edit or use a filter on every photo.

   2. Be you. Don’t copy everything your favorite influencer is doing, especially if it’s something you never would have thought to do on your own!

   3. Understand what you want to get out of social media. Is it about connecting with others for you? Or are you trying to build a brand and a following? Take time to think about what you’re sharing and why. If you’re sharing for clicks and likes only or always thinking about your life, your kids’ personal lives and experiences and your relationship with your spouse as fodder for social content, it might be time to re-evaluate.
      

5. Sometimes, being real means being vulnerable. Let’s be real. Your kitchen isn’t always spotless. Your kids sometimes throw temper tantrums. Somedays, it would just be easier to go back to bed. Every day isn’t going to be the picture perfect life we like to present to the world. While you don’t want to overshare on social media, there are also moments when you do need to genuinely express yourself, from posting that picture with the mountain of laundry in the background simply because your dog is doing something amazing or asking for prayer for a difficult situation. Being real doesn’t mean sharing every detail, but it does mean admitting that sometimes your life isn’t perfect.