Adulthood Lately: Highlight Reels vs. Real Life

You are currently viewing Adulthood Lately: Highlight Reels vs. Real Life

The Pressure! Eh God the pressureeeeeeee!

Every time you open Instagram or TikTok, it feels like someone your age just bought a house, launched a business, got married, moved to another country, or is doing a “soft life” vlog from some stunning location in Europe. Meanwhile, you’re staring at your screen, trying to figure out what to cook for dinner with ₦2,500, stressing about work emails, and wondering if you’re failing at this thing called adulthood.

Yep! I just had a really stressful day at the office, and I feel like I’m about to crush out.

Let’s Talk About: 

  • The Illusion of Perfection
  • What Adulting Actually Looks Like
  • The Danger of Constant Comparison
  • How to Find Balance inbetween The Highlight Reels vs. Real Life

Welcome to the constant mental tug-of-war between social media realities and real-life adulting.

We live in a time where we’re more connected than ever; yet we often feel the most alone, unseen, or like we’re falling behind. Social media is fun and inspiring, no doubt. It’s also chaotic and overwhelming when you’re trying to build a life offline while consuming highlight reels online.

The Illusion of Perfection

Let’s be real, most of what we see online is carefully curated content. That one-minute reel showing someone waking up in their white linen sheets, going to Pilates, journaling, sipping matcha, and closing a brand deal doesn’t show the anxiety attacks, failed projects, family pressure, or financial strain behind the scenes. But when you’re exhausted, broke, and unsure, it’s easy to forget that.

You begin to measure your progress against aesthetics, not reality.
You start to wonder:
— Why am I not there yet?
— Shouldn’t I be doing more?
— Is everyone else living their best life while I’m just trying to survive?

This mental spiral, when unchecked, feeds anxiety, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome especially in a generation already under the weight of adulthood.

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What Adulting Actually Looks Like

Adulthood isn’t aesthetic. It’s messy. It’s missed deadlines, washing your only clean jeans for a hangout, realizing your rent is due again, feeling stuck in your 9-5 but scared to leap, wondering if you’re dating right, and sometimes just surviving on indomie and vibes.

But it’s also growth. It’s learning boundaries. It’s figuring out who you are, slowly, painfully, beautifully. It’s realizing you can say no, prioritizing rest, understanding your worth, and celebrating the little wins. You don’t have to share it for it to be valid. You don’t have to post it to prove it.

The Danger of Constant Comparison

We weren’t designed to constantly compare ourselves with thousands of people daily. But social media makes it easy to do just that. The truth is:

  • Someone else’s timeline isn’t your deadline.

  • What’s right for them may not be right for you.

  • The version of success you’re chasing might not even make you happy.

So take a step back. Zoom out. Your life is not a performance. It’s a process. Always remember that. A progress.

How to Find Balance inbetween The Highlight Reels vs. Real Life

You know what? social media isn’t all bad. It connects us, educates us, inspires us. The goal isn’t to run away from the reels but to use it with intention, okay? You might wonder how or where to start, so how about we work with a few things here:

1. Curate your feed
Follow people who make you feel safe, seen, or inspired in healthy ways. Mute or unfollow content that triggers you. Protect your peace.

2. Create before you consume
Start your day off-screen if possible. Journal, pray, stretch, breathe—then log in. Let your mind set the tone, not someone else’s life.

3. Take breaks
Sometimes you need to log off and touch grass—literally. Feel the sun, call a friend, take a walk, or just be.

4. Celebrate your real life
You’re building something. Even if it’s quiet. Even if no one sees it yet. Honor your growth. Give yourself grace.

5. Redefine success for yourself
Soft life isn’t just aesthetics. It’s peace of mind. It’s alignment. It’s purpose. Create a version of success that fits you—not the algorithm.

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Recite With Me:

So next time you feel the pressure, pause and remind yourself:

You’re not behind. You’re on your own path.
You’re not failing. You’re learning.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.

Recite that again, and, and again, now breath; because hey, your real life is allowed to be more beautiful than your feed. You’ve got this. Adulthood is a crackhead! But we got this.

NO QUIZ TODAY, JUST LOVE

Take your time to figure it all out. No rush, no pressure—just real, slow, meaningful growth. And if you ever need to vent, cry-laugh, or just talk about navigating adulthood, we’re RIGHT HERE. No judgment, always love.

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