Choosing Real Over Perfect: Stop Comparing Your Home to Social Media
We’ve all done it. Scrolled through Instagram or Facebook, seen those picture-perfect homes, and felt that little twinge of self-doubt.
Why doesn’t my living room look like that? How come my kitchen isn’t perfectly coordinated, or my flower garden doesn’t look like it belongs in a magazine?
But here’s the thing: your cozy home is just as wonderful, and comparing it to social media’s best can steal the joy and comfort you’ve worked hard to create.
We mid-life women know better than anyone that life isn’t perfect, and our homes don’t need to be either.
In this post, let’s talk about choosing real over perfect, why it’s important to stop comparing your cozy home to social media’s best, and how doing so can lift your self-confidence and happiness.
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The Social Media Trap: Why It’s Easy to Fall In
Social media is full of beautiful pictures, and it’s easy to forget that those images are often staged, edited, and curated. The truth is, they don’t reflect real life. But still, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially when you see a home that looks like it belongs in a home décor magazine.
The keyword here is “choosing real over perfect.” Your home is filled with love, memories, and everything that makes it special for you. Comparing it to someone else’s staged perfection can lead to feelings of inadequacy. We’ve all been there—thinking, “Maybe if I rearrange the furniture,” or “I need to redecorate the whole house!” But constantly chasing perfection can make us feel frustrated and overwhelmed instead of happy and content.
Why We Should Choose Real Over Perfect
Our homes tell a story, and it’s not one that needs to be filtered. When you focus on choosing real over perfect, you give yourself permission to enjoy your space just as it is. Maybe the throw pillows don’t match perfectly, but that’s because they were picked out by your grandkids, or they remind you of a trip to the Smoky Mountains. There’s beauty in those personal touches—far more meaningful than a perfectly staged photo on Instagram.
Plus, when you stop comparing your cozy home to social media, you start to see it for what it really is: a reflection of the life you’ve built. There’s no need to feel less than when what you’ve created is just right for you.
The Negative Impact on Self-Confidence
When we compare our homes to social media perfection, we start feeling like we’re not measuring up. Those spotless kitchens, perfectly styled living rooms, and lush gardens make us question what we’ve done wrong. But choosing real over perfect is about stepping away from that mindset and realizing that your home, no matter how small, worn, or mismatched, is perfectly you.
Imagine the pressure lifting when you no longer worry about what others think or whether your home is “Instagram-worthy.” Your self-confidence will naturally grow when you stop letting outside influences determine your worth.
How to Appreciate Your Cozy Home
Focus on What Makes Your Home Unique
Instead of seeing your home through the lens of comparison, take a moment to appreciate all the little things that make it special. Maybe it’s the family photos hanging on the wall, the quilts passed down from generations, or the cozy armchair where you enjoy your morning coffee. These are the things that make your home a sanctuary.Remember the Lives Behind the Spaces
Social media doesn’t show the whole story. That beautiful kitchen? It’s probably used as little more than a backdrop for photos. Your kitchen, though, has probably cooked many meals for your family, hosted get-togethers, and been a space for heart-to-heart talks. That’s worth far more than perfection.Keep Things in Perspective
When you feel yourself getting caught in the comparison trap, take a step back. Think about all the love, hard work, and memories that fill your home. Social media is fleeting, but the life you’ve built within your four walls is what truly matters.
Finding Inspiration Without Comparison
Now, I’m not saying social media is all bad! We can definitely find inspiration from those beautifully styled spaces. But there’s a difference between inspiration and comparison. Next time you scroll, look for ideas that you can incorporate in a way that fits your life, your home, and your budget. That’s choosing real over perfect.
Wrapping Up
Choosing real over perfect is about finding joy in what you have, letting go of the pressure to keep up with social media, and being proud of the home you’ve built. Whether it’s a cozy little nook for your morning coffee or a garden full of blooms (even if they’re not perfectly arranged), your home is a reflection of your life—and that’s something to celebrate.
So next time you find yourself scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and feeling like your home just doesn’t measure up, remember this: choosing real over perfect is the key to lasting happiness. Your home is just as beautiful, just as cozy, and just as worthy—exactly as it is.
If you’d like to add some extra warmth to your home, explore our selection of wreaths, hand-poured candles, soaps, and more in our shop. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration tailored to mid-life women like you!
Mary Kay® Skin Analyzer App
Want a deeper insight into your skin? Your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant has an app for that!
Here is a great digital way to help you analyze your skin and select the best products for your specific needs!
This handy app acts like a digital skin care assistant and scans the skin to provide personalized Mary Kay® skin care recommendations.
Key Features:
- Uses facial skin recommendation technology to evaluate your skin and provide personalized Mary Kay product recommendations.
- Evaluates these skin characteristics:
Skin Type
Skin Texture
Wrinkles
Skin Tone
Undereye Appearance - Text or email the results to your Independent Beauty Consultant to create your customized skin care routine
How It Works:
Think of it like a virtual appointment.
1. You’ll tap the I’m a Customer button
2. Scan your face
3. Tap “Share Results” and email or text their results to me.
4. You can then set an appointment with me to discuss the results, and as your skin care expert, I’ll guide you through the Mary Kay® product recommendations.
Download the App
The Mary Kay® Skin Analyzer App is available to download for FREE for Apple® and Android tablets and smartphones in the following app stores:
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I’m a Mary Kay Advanced Product Consultant
With the distinct title of Advanced Product Consultant, this means that I earned Mary Kay’s Advanced Product Consultant designation by completing the educational programs offered by Mary Kay – specifically, the Color Confident, Skin Care Confident and Clinical Solutions programs. This designation shows my customers that I am serious about skin care, color cosmetics, and helping you look and feel your most beautiful.
This icon signifies that the Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant has advanced knowledge of skin care, color, and Clinical Solutions™ products.
Mary Kay Mirror Me™ App
Mary Kay Mirror Me™ is the new virtual makeover app that uses augmented reality to try color products on the face in real time, allowing the user to move naturally and view makeup in a lifelike setting.
Easily create makeup looks you love with the Mary Kay Mirror Me™ App, our real-time makeover app.
Use our twist on augmented reality to find your most fabulous face from the comfort of your couch or on the go by swiping through countless color combinations on your face, eyes and lips.
The Mary Kay Mirror Me™ App uses your phone’s camera or an uploaded photo to apply makeup trends and color products the same way they look in real life.
Key Features:
- Use the front-facing camera to follow your movement and the rear-facing camera on friends to accurately place makeup on eyes, lips and face.
- Instantly try on hundreds of Mary Kay® products, shades and specially curated makeup artist looks.
- Try on makeup looks before meeting with your Independent Beauty Consultant.
- Share looks that you design or full looks created by Global Beauty Ambassador Luis Casco with friends across social media platforms and email or save the looks to your device for inspiration.
- Shop as you play by adding the products you love to your bag straight from the app.
Beautiful, Confident You VIP Facebook Group
If you aren’t currently working with a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, I invite you to join me in my VIP Facebook Group – Beautiful, Confident YOU!
Need a reason to join us in the VIP Facebook group? How about several!
- get mid-life anti-aging skin care tips
- find new mid-life makeup looks
- be the first to see new products
- FREE SAMPLES!
- SALES & DISCOUNTS!
I created this group for inspiring, empowering, and educating women like YOU to feel beautiful and confident using a skin care and cosmetic routine that fits your lifestyle and budget!
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One of my favorite things about being a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant is sharing sample products! I keep LOTS of samples on hand, so I can usually send out your request the same day or the next day.
Sample requests are always completely FREE with no obligation to buy and no strings attached.
All you need to do is complete the Sample Request Form below and the request will be sent to my email. I’ll fill your request and send out a Pretty Pink Package of goodies for you to try. I’ll follow up with you in a week or two to answer any questions you may have about the product samples.
