After Hours
Come as you are, just as you are

Curated Confinement

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It’s said on Instagram that it takes 3 seconds or less for someone to decide whether or not they are going to follow you. 

Did you know that? 

When I began After Hours a little over 8 months ago I did some research and one thing I heard over and over is how you needed to have a visually appealing feed. This was not only important but said to be the most important. In all honestly back when Instagram started it was mainly dedicated to sharing photography. Which is also one of the greatest things about the platform that people who otherwise wouldn't’ be able to share their talent can. However, there is a flip side to this coin. 

Beautiful pictures although wonderful do not dictate the reality happening behind the camera. (shocking I know). 

I mean have you ever asked yourself when we all willingly walk off the cliff of diving into a world with an expectation of curated confinement.

When did we allow ourselves to build a self-made prison on how we feel about ourselves and how we allow others to place value on our lives and the value they hold. Then to take it a step further how did we also then allow our own perception of ourselves to be altered because the filter was off? 

Growing up my mother would speak life to me; to say that was a blessing is an understatement. However, the one that never leaves me and  I speak to my own children is found in Psalms 139: 14 

“ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

You don’t have to be a Christian or religious ( whatever you want to call it) to realize that this is a mantra we should be speaking to ourselves. I mean in a world preaching self-love and acceptance have you ever seen such self-hatred with a rising suicide rate? 

I’ve been asked recently how I am so “comfortable with myself” or “authentic” and I can only credit that to the fact that at the end of the day I know none of this matters. I have an eternal perspective that my reason for being here is not so much about me but rather showing love to others who maybe didn’t have a mother speaking life into them or loving on them. 

So I let me speak a little life into you. Yes, YOU! The person this was written for. The one who was in desperate need of a gentle reminder.

You are exactly who you’re supposed to be. There is no one like you. No photo, comment, or filter can or should change that. Remember that you are strong and you should never so casually pass off your identity to allow it to be constructed, confined or curated by others. 

In a world preaching self-love start by talking to yourself. Give yourself the same dedication and passion you show for others. Also talking to myself here but in a world where we are trying to feed our kids the perfect, purest most organic food how about we give them an example of the mental food they should be feeding themselves. A perfectly curated lunch doesn't mean much if the kiddo eating it doesn't love themselves much. 

**I also wanted to remind everyone that your girl loves a great color-popping filter for a cohesive style. But with that said at the end of the day, I won’t hand over the control to my self-worth and nor, should you.  

You’re Loved, 

Amanda

P.S.- If you want to hear more about my eternal perspective hit me up. ;)

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