The Screen vs. The Soul: What We Post, What We Hide

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are." - Brene' Brown

My world was shattering, but my online feed told a different story. I remember the early days of my divorce, watching my life shatter around me, yet on social media, I was projecting strength, focus, and a life that couldn't be better. I posted photos of travel, shared moments with my kids, and curated playlists of "amazing" music. Every pixel screamed resilience.

But underneath it all, I was dying. I was depressed, lonely, and barely knew which way was up or down. Getting out of bed felt like a monumental victory. The online projection, I realize now, offered a temporary balm, a fleeting escape from the raw pain. It made me feel better to some extent, to be seen as put-together.

The truth was, when you spoke to me one-on-one, I was a mess. My diet was terrible, I'd picked up smoking cigarettes, and I was going out acting like a twenty-three-year-old. My son, in a moment of heartbreaking clarity, looked at me and said, "I just want my Dad back." It was a tough pill to swallow because I wasn't even sure who "Dad" was anymore. But one thing was certain: the person everyone saw online was a carefully constructed facade, not the man struggling for air beneath it.

If you're out there curating a perfect feed while your world feels chaotic, hear this: you're not alone. It's okay to not be okay. The real work of healing happens in the quiet, un-posted moments. It's in facing the mess, not hiding it. Your journey back to yourself, to your authentic brilliant life, begins when you start to live truthfully, not just beautifully on a screen.