My Imperfect Life

^^ I seriously love our Owlet! I can check on Greta wherever she is sleeping. So handy at nap time! ^^

Does anyone feel like people are being over critical of whats being shared on social media lately? Maybe taking it all a little too seriously? I’m feeling it now more than ever! Like being upset about feeling “lied to”, and posts not being “real” — and on the flip side, not supporting accounts that complain, and the aesthetic just isn’t pretty. I’m constantly torn about what type of content to share around here, because in all things I want to be genuine… But I love to think outside of the box and CREATE. And a lot of the time, my creative ideas go outside of my “real life situations”. I started this blog as not only a journal and a place to share my thoughts, but as a creative outlet. A space where I can put all the things that make me feel good. πŸ™‚ And that’s what it is going to continue to be. I have to share what my friend Anna posted the other day, because I keep thinking about it with a huge AMENNN!

“Instagram has always been a creative outlet for me, and I have personally chosen not to share much of the every day lives of our children for their sake. However, as I continue to share style and design images, remember that this space for me is only meant to inspire an idea, encourage, and uplift. The best moments of my life are actually the insignificant ones…. Usually with a baby or two at my ankles while I’m sipping a coffee. I just choose to keep them just for me most of the time. So this is just a reminder for you and for me not to take this place so seriously, and that for most peeps, it’s just a highlight reel of a very real and imperfect life.” – Anna Liesemeyer

 

So I think it comes down to how we as viewers choose to look at social media. A lot of us need to quit taking it so seriously. It’s such a fun inspiring space, and the cool part is that we can use it however we want! No one is forcing us to follow anyone. Keep spaces around you that fill you with inspiration, and make you feel uplifted! I’m so excited for 2017, because Brad and I are really pushing our creative limits — It’s going to be a crazy year!

Sweater: Anthropologie
Denim: Madewell

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36 Comments

  1. January 5, 2017 / 12:59 pm

    You and your family are the cutest! Thank you for sharing! Its so true. People are overly critical and I think that also stems maybe from them also struggling with being envious of others! Its something I have to work on to be grateful for what I have and love my own life even if its not including of things other people have! I love social media and the amazing community it is! xx

  2. January 5, 2017 / 1:00 pm

    Yess, I TOTALLY agree with this!! We all need to not take social media seriously and have it as an inspiring place. + These images have amazinggg quality!! ?❀️?

  3. Elizabeth
    January 5, 2017 / 1:13 pm

    I think the post title should have been called, “imperfect social media,” I wish we could get more posts on your , imperfect, real but beautiful life with raising two kids. You are a wonderful person Hailey, but I hope you are able to have the courage to share more “imperfect” things on here. Please don’t take this comment as offensive, just trying to give good feedback. Keep up the good work!

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 1:34 pm

      Aw thank you so much! I definitely will. πŸ™‚ It’s my goal this year to be a little bit more vulnerable! Thanks for you input. πŸ™‚ Big hugs. – Hailey

  4. January 5, 2017 / 1:25 pm

    YES TO ALL OF THIS!!

    I have so many thoughts about this as well, but maybe I’ll write it all later. Yes yes yes to everything you said! πŸ™‚

  5. Abby Jacobson
    January 5, 2017 / 1:30 pm

    I find so much inspiration from your Instagram and YouTube videos! Keep doing what you’re doing ?

  6. January 5, 2017 / 1:57 pm

    I love seeing little glimpses of both sides of life – the beautiful & the imperfect. I think it’s easy for outsiders to be critical before anything else, & that happens far too often, especially from behind a keyboard. Choosing what to share & what not to can be a difficult balance to strike, but I think you’ll find what feels best to you. It’s hard to ignore what others are saying, but online, I think you have to sometimes. As a people pleaser, I’m not sure I know how yet, but here’s to figuring it all out!

  7. Eliza
    January 5, 2017 / 2:14 pm

    I love this and it was definitely needed! Thanks Hailey!
    Also random question, with these pictures are you just capturing the frames from a video or are these actual pictures taken? Just curious πŸ™‚
    Grateful for everything you are!

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:19 pm

      Hey Eliza! Thank you so much for your positive support. πŸ™‚ These pictures are photographs — I’m still trying to get the hang of wordpress after transferring from blogger. πŸ˜›

  8. January 5, 2017 / 2:15 pm

    Yep! There have been so many times that I’ve wondered if I’m doing the right thing & if I should just get off social media all together. But I love the creative outlet, and as negative as it can be, I really think it can be a place to spread some love/support others. When I was so sick/pregnant/depressed I loved getting on your instagram to look at your pictures and remind myself that there were happier days ahead! So honestly I keep doing it because if I can be that for someone else than it’s worth it to me.

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:18 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing that. You made my day!

  9. Jana
    January 5, 2017 / 2:37 pm

    I needed this today! thank you! I agree 100%

  10. Amy
    January 5, 2017 / 3:27 pm

    Just read the article you mentioned in your live feed…which gave me some context, feeling torn between showing the good and finding a balance of incorporating other parts of life to make sure your content is genuine.
    Just like Brad said, it is one thing to claim something and show another (like telling everyone your baby doesn’t need to poop like the rest of us while hiding all their diapers. ha)
    but it is another to be a light to the world. To acknowledge the bad but to focus on the good. Show your best! And know that loyal followers understand the big picture without you having to say (my baby poops!).
    Don’t doubt yourself. You are a light!

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:15 pm

      Hahah!! Amy, I want to hug you! Thank you! -Hailey

  11. January 5, 2017 / 3:30 pm

    Hailey, this was really inspiring! Thank you for sharing this! I totally agree with you on the aspect that we shouldn’t take social media so seriously.

    Sincerely, Bianca

  12. January 5, 2017 / 3:33 pm

    Thank you SO much for posting this! It’s so true + can be so frustrating! But I just want to say that I love following you guys, and look forward to each + every post. You’re truly inspiring – thanks for being you! <3

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:14 pm

      Molly, that means the world. Thank you!

  13. Bree
    January 5, 2017 / 4:05 pm

    Lucy’s little pig tail is everything!

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:13 pm

      We’re fully embracing the awkward hair stage over here! (Her and I both πŸ˜‰ ) -Hailey

  14. Carli Lowry
    January 5, 2017 / 4:42 pm

    I totally agree. I find that when I try to post about a special moment with my son, it usually ruins the moment and then I’ve missed it. He can tell when he doesn’t have my full attention and he doesn’t like it. I love the thought of saving those moments just for us. I do try to be vulnerable in my posts so that I can be more relatable to others, but I’ve been learning from experience that some moments are just meant to be enjoyed without a camera or a smartphone involved. Thanks for sharing this!!!

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:13 pm

      Couldn’t agree more!

  15. Kayli
    January 5, 2017 / 5:41 pm

    Your ‘highlight reel’ has truly inspired me, Hailey. Of course people’s lives don’t look like this everyday, but how can you create a highlight reel if you aren’t seeking adventure? So you’ve inspired me to explore more, make time for adventures big and small, carve time for creativity, and capture it all. ✌️ ?

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:12 pm

      Oh that makes me so happy. Thank you so much and for your sweet comment. πŸ™‚

  16. Victoria
    January 5, 2017 / 5:59 pm

    A great thought – very relevant. Thanks!

  17. January 5, 2017 / 6:58 pm

    I’ve only seen a few of your posts through Albion Fit, but this one is the first blog post I’ve read and I love it! Of course we’re all silly, emotionally broken, anxious little humans, but can’t we have some fun meanwhile? There will always be some who prefer to dwell rather than look at things another way. You just keep having that massive courage to do yo thang and be a light in the world.

    xoxo

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:11 pm

      Haleigh! Thanks for stopping by! I couldn’t agree more — haha “do yo thang” — Love your name BTW! πŸ™‚ Do you have a blog?

  18. Jeremy
    January 5, 2017 / 8:25 pm

    Unfortunately, people will find something negative in just about anything, and if they can’t find anything apparently negative, then they will conjure something negative up in their minds. These type of people are generally unhappy or unsatisfied with their lives, so they psychologically feel the need to tear down others in a faulty attempt to feel better about themselves. Then of course there’s the Good Samaritan mentality where people will come to you with their genuine (and often strange) opinions in an attempt to help. While these opinions could be helpful, they are often only representative of the individual rather than the group as a whole. The best approach is, to a certain extent, not sweat what others think about you. Clearly with this type of IG account/blog feedback is important, however, if most people tend to enjoy your creativity/overall approach, then I wouldn’t sweat the outliers who don’t. Hope that helps at least somewhat. Just thought I would share some of my experiences during my eternal layover in Iceland. My wife was actually the one who started following your page from my IG account, and from what I see you are all really talented. So keep up the creativity and don’t sweat the haters.

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      January 5, 2017 / 10:10 pm

      Jeremy,
      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Thank you so much! I’m giggling about your eternal layover in Iceland. πŸ˜‰ – Hailey

  19. January 5, 2017 / 9:40 pm

    Hailey! Well I saw your insta post and looked forward to reading this and oh my word! Had to blink twice! So happy that little insta-vent could help you too. I think we probably experience so many similar highs and lows of social media and blogging in general (wish we could chat further about this sometime). But for what it’s worth, I find so much beauty in your images. What stands out to me is your smile. You and your family have contagious warmth and love for life. That will come through no matter what you share, and the world needs more that type of joy….whether it is seen through your laundry piles or in your travels across the globe;) I am grateful for the light you bring to all you share it with. x

  20. January 5, 2017 / 10:53 pm

    I feel like the world will always try to find ways to shadow or darken the things that are good and bring light to others. You Hailey, bring so much goodness and light to others. Thank you for that. I recently posted a personal blog about my postpartum depression experience and although the majority of people were supportive and kind, there were still those individuals who chose to make me feel ashamed of what I wrote. Those people don’t know my struggles behind closed doors but still they are entitled to their opinion. The truth is, it is scary to put yourself out there and even scarier putting the people you love out there at the same time. Stay true to who you are and I know you’ll be inspired to keep sharing goodness. You’ll never know the impact you have on people. Hugs!

  21. Mindy catmull
    January 6, 2017 / 10:30 am

    Hailey this is probably my favorite post you have ever done and I have followed you for years. It is SO true. I even find myself in the back of my mind being over critical and I’m like “Mindy you are kidding right ?? ( dang natural man) I think social media has taught us to think a certain way that we shouldn’t !! But I DO think it is important to find a balance of what we post because there IS much more good than bad. Life is perfectly imperfect! And that’s what we need to show. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought about this since reading it !! So thank you for sharing because you are SUCH a great example and I seriously think that one of your spiritual gifts is being a light for others !! You rock girl !! Thanks for the inspiration !

  22. January 10, 2017 / 6:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing this!! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this haha. Ill be the first to say though, out of all the people I follow, you and your family uplift and inspire me the most! You are so talented, positive, and creative!! I hope someday to be like you πŸ™‚

  23. Gabriella
    February 23, 2017 / 9:06 pm

    It’s so interesting to read this when you say your imperfect life. I was just telling my friend how much I love you guys but sometimes I can’t look at your stuff because I’m so jealous of how you guys are my age and just seem to have this perfect life , perfect house you seem so financially stable and you travel the world. You’re like the unreachable (if that’s a word ) lol goals! I’m so happy for you but so jealous !

    • Hailey Devine
      Author
      February 23, 2017 / 9:37 pm

      Gabriella, our life is VERY far from perfect — we just choose to share the things in our life that makes us happy. πŸ™‚

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