When I'm bored or procrastinating, I get on social media sites, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. I read all about my friend's lives, comment on how amazing their new haircut looks, or like a photo of their newborn baby. In this sense, social media is able to bridge over the disconnect that time and distance create for relationships. I can see updates in the lives of friends and family members that I haven't seen in years. These brief moments, however, do not give me a complete insight into their current lives.

Think about it. There's a terrible photo of you in existence - a picture that you never want to see the light of day. Are you going to make that photo your profile picture? No, no you're not. Chances are, no one is. Every post you make you are aware of how others perceive you. You monitor your word choice and check every photo for any minute blemish. You filter photos in order to look less pale, to make your eyes pop, or to hide 'problem areas'. I'm not belittling you for it. I do it too. Everyone does. But, you tend to forget that as you scroll through your feed.

You see that so-and-so is engaged. (And, you just got dumped.) Your ex-significant other has already moved on. (And, you're eating an entire pint of ice cream a day.) Your brother received a promotion at his job. (And, you just got fired.) On the surface, it might seem that everyone is at a better place in their life than you are - which can hurt your self-esteem. But that is only happening because no one is going to post anything that might portray themselves in a negative light.

I'm not telling you to be more honest on your social media. Continue to show the world the best version of yourself. We've all heard one hundred times that future employers stalk us on Facebook. I'm asking you to remember that "you is smart. you is kind. you is important." Take everything you see with a grain a salt and remember that everyone is able to filter their life on Instagram. No one is perfect.