You’re Not Behind ... You’re Just Being Lied To

Bonus Post: Because when the message hits, I answer the call

When I started this Substack, I promised myself I wouldn’t overextend.
We’re all about flow over force here.

But something nudged me to write this. A creative spark, a quiet whisper, a deep knowing that this message needed to be shared.

So, here’s your bonus post for the week.
As these downloads keep flowing, you might see more of these pop up occasionally (which is exactly why you should subscribe 😉).

Now let’s get into it…

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In a world of perfect Instagram vacation photos and glossy LinkedIn promotions, we’re constantly being told: you should be doing better.

But let’s pause for a second.
Why is that?
And more importantly — why the hell do we believe it?

Mass media, social platforms, and content algorithms are designed to profit from your attention. And nothing grabs attention faster than fear?
Fear that you’re not doing enough.
Fear that you’re not enough.

Let’s be honest: if we were all deeply fulfilled - lit up by our own lives, nourished in our purpose, surrounded by people who genuinely saw us, we wouldn’t care about Kate’s gourmet toddler lunch or Janet’s five wine tours and surprise promotion.
We’d be too busy living.

But that’s not how the system works.
Social media preys on lack, scarcity, and comparison. It profits off the illusion that you’re missing something.

So what do we do?
We fantasize about the life we want and then shame ourselves… or resent others… for living it.
We see a curated photo and tell ourselves a story: She must have it all together.
But here’s the truth:

Instagram isn’t real.

It’s a highlight reel.
It’s curated, edited, filtered.
That perfect shot? Dozens of takes, maybe even a breakdown or two behind the scenes.
And no shade to content creators (I’m becoming one myself), but even we know the game. You’re not seeing the whole story — you’re seeing the brand.

And that LinkedIn post about Tonya’s new job?
It won’t mention the boss who micromanaged her into exhaustion. Or the soccer games she missed. Or the panic attacks she powered through trying to “prove” herself.

We forget all of that when we scroll.
Instead, we ask: “What am I doing wrong?”

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Here’s the answer: nothing.
You are not doing life wrong because your joy doesn’t come with a filter or your success doesn’t get 200 likes.

When we compare our real, messy, beautiful lives to someone else’s curated feed, we lose sight of our own enough-ness. We abandon the truth of who we are for a projection of who we think we should be. (And all those mind-thoughts, they typically don’t even resonate with our true self).

But what if we chose a different lens?

Instead of spiraling into shame or striving for an illusion, what if we turned inward?

What if we asked:

• What feels like it’s missing in my life — and why?

• What desires am I suppressing in the name of “keeping it all together”?

• What parts of me are hungry for more attention, more care, more truth?

When we turn the mirror toward ourselves, not to judge but to see, that’s where real change begins.

Because the problem isn’t that you’re not enough.
It’s that you’ve been taught to believe you’re not.
And babe, that belief?
It’s the real lie.

So let’s normalize talking about this.
Let’s normalize the fact that if we keep chasing the illusion, we’ll never feel whole.
But if you’re here… reading this… you already know your truth is calling.

That dream life?
It’s not some fantasy — it’s your future.
Even if you don’t know the next step, you know the ball is in your court.
You know whatever’s missing is just within reach… if you have the tools to grab it.

And that’s the work of From Grind to Align.
Because you’re not meant to settle. You’re meant to rise.

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👇 BTW

If this post didn’t cause you to delete Instagram from your phone — consider giving me a follow. I’ll admit, what you see will be my impersonation of an IG-approved baby influencer… but you will also get the truth, my hot takes and occasionally, my vacay photos 😉.

✨ And if this resonated…

Please consider sharing this publication with someone who would benefit from reading it. It will help me grow, and I would greatly appreciate it.