Is Facebook fake? I say this, a week on from my recent holiday, which for all intents and purposes, appeared blissfully happy if you saw my Facebook account. There are pictures of the location (Ilfracombe in North Devon), the kids running on the beach, the dog eating doggy ice cream and even one of me in my wetsuit!

The reality for me was somewhat different. The weather was cold and windy for all of the holiday except for a couple of hours one afternoon. And I am not exaggerating for dramatic effect. I am not a sun lover but the fact that it was overcast and cold did put a dampener on my mood. And the truth of the matter was that, having arranged a holiday with my ex, partly for the children's benefit, it did remind me of why our marriage was not a success and what with his silence and the children's refusal to get up at a reasonable time (they are teenagers), I think the only thing that kept me sane was taking the dog for an early morning walk on the beach and seeing her attempt to herd the waves!

This led me to thinking how I had portrayed a different image of things on Facebook! I don't think I was attempting to deceive, but the reality is we often present the best version of ourselves on Facebook. After all, I was hardly going to admit to the wider public about how I really felt. 

Don't get me wrong...I have no issue with social media. It's a useful tool which I use and enjoy, particularly when it enables me to connect with friends who live all over the world. But it did remind me that Facebook does not give the whole picture. So for those of us who feel inadequate due to low mood, depression or paranoia, it's important to remember that Facebook is showing other people's best lives and to not get weighed down by that sense that everyone else out there is having a better time than yourself.

What do you think?

BrumMum

A Moodscope member.

PS Other social media platforms are available....