Introduction :: #100happydays vs. #100realdays

From taking a photo of something specific every day for a month to posting make-up free selfies, social media challenges are everywhere. Most recently, my newsfeed has been blowing up with #100happydays. I admit, I love the idea and the whole concept behind it- find something that makes you happy each day. The hope is that you will start to notice the little things that make you happy, even in the midst of a day where nothing seems to be going right. Then, after 100 days, it will become 2nd nature and you'll be happier. {That's my take on it. You can read it for yourself and sign up here: http://100happydays.com/ }

~However~

In true social-media form, I am tempted to do exactly what the challenge specifically says NOT to do (direct quote from the link above): 

"#100happyday challenge is for you - not for anyone else. It is not a happiness competition or a showing off contest. If you try to please / make others jealous via your pictures - you lose without even starting. Same goes for cheating."

Yes, I am tempted to post only what I deem the best take of a series of shots- the one with the best angle to make me look fit, lighting that makes my skin luminescent, a semi-staged situation or one that makes me look the happiest, etc. Kind of misses the whole point of the challenge, doesn't it?

Then I read this article by regular "mum", Steph Douglas: I'm sick of parents abusing #100happydays on Facebook to show off 'perfect' lives 

She says, "People may be showing off a glorious moment in their day, but that doesn’t mean every moment is like that. The fact that they’re sharing it publicly means it’s somewhat construed," and proposes #7daysofreality. 

I decided that posting 100 Real Days along side or instead of my 100 Happy Days would actually be much more amusing and interesting. My real self vs. my "real" self. [I also thought I'd save people from me blowing up their newsfeed by posting it on my blog instead.]

The 100RealDays might be a side-by-side perspective, it might take the place of, or it might be completely unrelated to my 100HappyDays. It might be funny, sad, or kind of gross. I don't really have a plan for it, just whatever seems "real" at the moment, things I experience. Here goes!

*Check out my instagram where I'll also be posting at least 1 picture a day: http://instagram.com/sonjanicole5