Most of us have had a Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram account for years, and it’s part of our daily routine. Wake up, check email, Facebook, iCal, and then Twitter mentions. It’s also hard when everyone you know does the same, constantly posting photos of their delicious mimosas and Benedicts at brunch, checking in to the hottest new club or Instagramming their perfect dates. Looking at most people’s Instagram accounts it would seem like all they do is go out for drinks with friends, have fun at fabulous events, and wear perfect outfits—when that’s hardly the case.

It’s super easy to feel like you’re missing out when your friends post a shot of themselves at the beach (and you’re stuck at work), or you see co-workers checked into a great networking event, or when your blogger BFF has tens of thousands of followers and she gets hundreds of likes on each Instagram photo. A good friend of mine, often jokes at events, “We have to check in so everyone can see how much fun we’re having!”

Keep in mind that people (friends, bloggers, celebrities) are only going to put their best faces forward. Most social media users won’t post a photo of their boring leftovers they reheated because they got home from work late, a “laundry day” outfit, or their messy living rooms.People are going to show off the best of their lives and their favorite moments. I try to keep this in mind when I compare my “online” life to others; social media is for social moments, so everyone is going to be focusing on the coolest moments.

It’s also important to remember that the number of “likes” or followers someone has also results in the number of random people being able to see their photos, Tweets, and posts.Personal privacy and being active online both ride a thin line, and you need to make sure you know which side you stand on and how much of your life is public.

I often have to remind myself that my social media numbers or my Klout score really don’t mean anything to those close to me. Even more, I have to tell myself to stay present, stay in the moment. Every dinner doesn’t need an Earlybird Filter and every date night doesn’t need to be checked in. I’m trying to check in on being present.

Written for the Levo League. See the post here.