Relationships aren't easy. But when you find someone you truly love, the challenges are worth it. However, pressures of social media don't make this easy.

Social media promotes unrealistic expectations for relationships. Just spending five minutes scrolling through Instagram can make you doubt yourself and your relationship. Models pose with what seems to be their “perfect boyfriends/girlfriends” doing extravagant activates for every date, even though their relationship is NOT perfect. Social media is wonderful to share about your relationship, but sometimes this allows for couples to unhealthily compare themselves to others.

It’s important to recognize that your relationship is between you and your partner only and no other person is going to experience the things exactly how you will. This is not easy to do, but the moment you stop searching for perfection you will find EXACTLY what you want. Comparing yourself and your relationship to others creates distance between your partner because you are never satisfied. This eventually can lead to suffering and, in a lot of cases, the end of a relationship.

Society has created a stigma to be married and have kids by a certain age. To have a successful life, it is said you must:

1. Meet your spouse in college
2. Marry post-graduation
3. Have kids one to two years later

However, it’s impractical to follow a timeline for any relationship. Things happen for a reason when they are meant to happen. Trying to live your life thinking you need to be or have done something by a certain time adds pressure and causes strains to relationships. Ultimately this strain can become too much and couples break up. It’s important to plan your future yes, but it’s also good to enjoy each day and sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and let life run its course.

Live in the moment, be happy, and enjoy each day because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Don't let perceptions on social media control your relationship, because they aren't REAL.