For all the good things social media has given us, there are also negative consequences. Social media can distort perceptions and misrepresent the truth, leaving many feeling both envious and depressed.
So in order to help make social media more accountable, Instagram user @geraldinewest_ has created a series of posts to show what social media would look like if influencers were actually honest .
A morning walk on Instagram VS. A morning walk in real life.
These days, I’m clutching far more poop bags than I am fashion bags.
The look on Geraldine’s face is precisely the one I get when there’s no garbage can in sight.
The sexiness of pasta on Instagram VS. The un-sexiness of pasta in real life.
I feel like ever since lady and the Tramp there’s a huge misconception that somehow eating pasta is sexy. Let me be clear — it is not.
You need to inhale the dish, slurp the noodles, and lick the bowl clean. Thank you, Geraldine, for showing us the way!
Celebrating Oktoberfest on instagram VS, Celebrating Oktoberfest in real life.
Das boot! Color me impressed because that is one giant freaking boot of beer. plus, everyone knows that Oktoberfest is about smashing steins, not looking pretty in lederhosen.
Side note, can anyone tell me what’s in Geraldine’s left hand?
A nature walk on Instagram VS. A nature walk in real life.
I’m probably one of the few people on planet earth who could get lost walking in his own backyard, so I truly do appreciate the candor of this photograph.
Make sure to take note of Geraldine’s bloody knees and sunburnt chest…or is it a poison ivy rash?
Baking Christmas cookies on Instagram VS. Baking Christmas cookies in real life.
There is nothing that makes me more frustrated than seeing people’s perfect little gingerbread houses come the holiday season.
And there’s never been a batch of cookies that I haven’t managed to burn.
An autumn walk on Instagram VS. An autumn walk in real life.
I don’t know about you, but I’m a long-underwear kind of guy. That means that as soon as it dips below 10 degrees Celsius, I’m dressing for the winter.
I can also totally relate to the awful weather as well.
Fresh air and exercise on Instagram VS. Fresh air and exercise in real life.
Why do people look so happy exercising on Instagram? It’s one of the biggest lies people tell themselves every day.
Exercise hurts, it’s sweaty, and it stinks. Once again, Geraldine knocks it right out of the park.
Applying lipstick on Instagram VS. Applying lipstick in real life.
Why has nobody invented ketchup or mayonnaise-flavored lipstick or lip balm?
That seems like such a brilliant idea, does it not? I know I’d wear it…and probably eat it.
Your favorite pants on Instagram VS. Your favorite pants in real life.
The image on the right is how I feel every single time we order take-out to the house; I end up wearing it around my mid-riff for about a week and my pants mysteriously seem to shrink as well!
A day at the beach on Instagram VS. A day at the beach in real life.
I wonder how far the image of Geraldine on the left had to walk in burning hot sand just to make it look as if she’s at some prissy private beach.
I much prefer the public pool and the intertube.
A romantic boat ride on Instagram VS. A romantic boat ride in real life.
Who doesn’t love paddle boats? Not only can they be a fun activity on the water, but they’re also a serious workout!
the image on the left just screams The Notebook in the most painfully obvious of ways.
Bracing the elements on Instagram VS. Bracing the elements in real life.
As hard as it is to remember, there was actually a time when I enjoyed going to bars. It always used to baffle me to see young women lined up outside in freezing cold weather, wearing nothing but a mini skirt and a halter top.
Dress for the weather, ladies!
Morning coffee on Instagram VS. Morning coffee in real life.
Morning people are the worst. They’re like the human equivalent of tennis-elbow combined with the sound of screeching nails on a chalkboard.
The image of Geraldine is how human beings are supposed to look when they wake up and we should embrace this truth!
Taking a bath on Instagram VS. Taking a bath in real life.
This one is easily my favorite of all the photos thus far. Be proud of your leg hair, ladies.
Take advantage of this time of lockdown and help to normalize not shaving your legs.
Eating ice cream on Instagram VS. Eating ice cream in real life.
There are just some things that are impossible to eat gracefully. Pasta, popcorn, and of course — ice cream.
I end up wearing far more than I end up eating, it’s just the way it goes.
