Monday, January 20, 2014

Social Media and Being A Supportive Wife

I'm just going to admit it, I've become totally addicted to Social Media. It sounds horrible, and yes addiction is a bad thing regardless of what it is to, but I don't think all social media deserves a bad wrap. The internet, social media, and blogging have kept me sane while I get used to living in a  new town and becoming a stay at home wife. I've met great friends and started some pretty awesome friendships because of my use of Instagram and other social medias. 
I'm not saying to ditch the real world, but I wanted to let you all know I'm not wanting to bash social media with this post either. 

Despite my fond feelings for social media I realized recently that maybe some of my language isn't really painting the most supportive picture of my life. I think we are all guilty of this some times. We want to be "real" so we share struggles, issues, and just our every day life. Thats all fine and dandy! But sometimes those should be thought out a little bit more before we hit that share button.



January has already been a month of trials for Reed and I. We are learning what it means to "live in the real world" and wanting to be transparent with my friends I posted (what I thought to be) positive posts and snippets of those trials. But recently I realized that even though my actual words where positive didn't mean the message was necessarily the best.


It hit me hard when I was looking back through my feeds the other day. I want my language both; literal language, body language, and unspoken language, to be  nothing but uplifting to my family. Was I really helping our situation by posting a picture about how cold I was? Nope! Was I making Reed look like the best possible husband in the world by posting how all I wanted in a home was heating and insulation? Nope.

It breaks my heart to know that my quick little post with such few words could damage my husbands credibility. He is a provider and I don't praise him enough for it. He is a comforter and I know I don't praise him enough for that either. I should be posting pictures more often of how, when I'm cold he runs out and comes back with an electric blanket. Or how he made sure that I have enough hot cocoa to warm my insides when I wake up in the morning.


Not silently sitting here posting pictures of heaters, blankets, and warming my cloths in the dryer. All those are saying is "I'm freezing and it is all about me! Gosh wont somebody please provide me with adequate heating soon (wink wink nudge nudge REED)" and Lord knows that isn't what I want to say when I talk about my life.

Social media is a beautiful tool when used correctly. Remember that more so than in real conversation, things get misinterpreted. You don't get the entire story so whats to say how someone will read your post. I want to make it impossible for someone to read in to my post and see me dropping hints about my "real feelings". I want to be someone that posts real life that is uplifting to others not just using social media as a platform for my complaints hidden with the vail of "I'm just being real and honest".


I strive to be a supportive wife at home and now I've realized that because I'm choosing to share my life via the internet and social media that I need to be a supportive wife in those outlets too.

When I said my vows to Reed I said I would speak words of encouragement. That means both in real conversation and what I choose to share online. He is my husband and someone that my purpose in life is to uplift and encourage, this is a huge duty and is a bit daunting. But I'm thankful that I have the chance to learn what it means to selflessly encourage someone!


 photo gracie-sig_zps2d86285f.jpg
PS> All photo credit goes to Lauren Garrett Photography

12 comments:

  1. Beautifully said, Gracie. It's so important to be queenly and to honor and love our husbands in word and deed. I'm so impressed that you're recognizing and learning this at such a young age. {I love your photos!}

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    1. Thanks Lori!! Being at home has taught me so much in being a wife and why we are called to be honorable and have a servants heart. Its hard but I'm so glad that I've been blessed with a husband who is gracious and loves me even when I'm just learning

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  2. What a great thought! I am so glad you put this in words. Even though I am not a wife, I still think it is important to realize how we say and post things on social media because it may come across in ways we did not plan or intend.

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    1. Thanks Brooke! I totally agree, we've started sharing so much that we assume people can read our inflection and sarcasm but sometimes that isn't the best way to share our thoughts on a subject.

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  3. I love this! It's so easy to forget the impact of our words. Thank you for being so transparent.

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  4. Definitely a wonderful sentiment! I think there needs to be a balance between being honest and being uplifting. Ya know!? Great post!

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    1. Thanks Mandy!! And thank you for sharing. Sometimes I struggle with what I want to post about when it comes to things other than "projects" but this has been on my mind for over a week and I just needed to get it off :) Apparently it made more sense than I thought!

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  5. I do think that all too often complaining is disguised as "being real". Good for you for recognizing that and committing to truth in grace!

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    1. Thanks Rachel!! It is hard to be truthful all the time, specially when "being real" is so popular now a days!

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  6. So true!! I was just thinking about this today. Thanks for sharing, needed this extra encouragement!

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    1. So glad i could encourage you!! I didn't think this post would really hit home for anyone but it was something that I was noticing in myself a lot lately and felt that if I was going to be TRUELY "real" and honest with my readers that I needed to share why my posts may change a bit from now on :)

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  7. what a beautiful and honest post. I have an almost teenager and always warn him about how what he says affects others...but know I have to remember that myself. We have some craziness happening in our house right now...and it is so hard to right about it...for fear of the words not coming out right...or not being heard the way I mean them. Social media is wonderful and prickly.

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