Behind the Picture: Honoring Women Beyond What We See
- Annie Marie
- May 10
- 4 min read
Today marks an extremely important day for many women.
Whether you are a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, caregiver, or a woman hoping one day to become a mother, showing up for women today matters. Supporting one another matters.
And honestly, this day has always carried a different kind of weight for me personally.
My own mother passed away from cancer when I was 12 years old. Because of that, Mother’s Day is not always something I naturally think about until one of my children brings it up or I begin seeing everyone else’s posts online.
And even then, there is a quietness to it for me.
My children are younger and young adults trying to navigate their own lives, struggles, and responsibilities. I have never placed expectations, wants, or pressure on them surrounding this day because I understand what it means to simply be trying to make it through life sometimes.
And I think that is part of what I really want to talk about this week.
Social Media Is Not Real Life
I have seen so much judgment lately across social media platforms.
LinkedIn.
Facebook.
Instagram.
TikTok.
People looking at someone’s profile, photos, videos, business page, or lifestyle content and making assumptions about who they are, what they have, or how they are doing.
But social media is not real life.
Just because someone smiles in a picture does not mean they are not struggling.
Just because someone shares a professional accomplishment does not mean they are financially secure.
Just because someone is building something publicly does not mean they are not privately carrying fear, stress, uncertainty, or exhaustion.
We have got to stop assuming that a social media profile tells the full story of someone’s life.
Because often, it does not.
Where I Am Right Now
So today, I want to share a genuine piece of where I am personally in my own journey.
I have been searching for stable employment for almost a year.
Yes, I started my own business.
Yes, I launched Words We Write.
Yes, I created Unstoppable Accounting & Consultancy.
Yes, I have gained some clients and opportunities along the way.
And I am grateful for every single one.
But much of what I have built right now has been built through sweat equity, resilience, faith, and simply refusing to give up.
And if I am being fully transparent, I am now reaching a point where things are becoming extremely difficult.
I may have to apply for food assistance.
I have already gathered information for local food resources because I may need help feeding my teenage son this coming week.
My mortgage is now two months behind.
My credit has become maxed out trying to keep food in the house, lights on, and basic needs covered while continuing to fight to stay afloat.
And I share this not for pity.
I share it because I think too many people are silently struggling while feeling pressure to appear okay.
Strength Does Not Always Look Like Success
One thing I have learned through this season is that strength does not always look polished.
Sometimes strength looks like:
applying for jobs every single day
hearing silence after interviews
receiving offers that later disappear
continuing to create while scared
continuing to show up while uncertain
continuing to believe in yourself when things are not stable yet
I have used every gift I know how to use to make it this far.
I have leaned into my entrepreneurial spirit.
I have tried to create value.I have tried to build platforms centered around encouragement, growth, leadership, and connection.
But entrepreneurship does not always produce immediate stability.
Sometimes it simply helps you survive long enough to keep going.
Honor Women Beyond the Highlight Reel
So today, I ask something different of people.
Honor the women in your life beyond the picture.
Beyond the profile.Beyond the highlight reel.
Because you truly do not know what someone is carrying behind the scenes.
You do not know:
who is struggling financially
who is grieving quietly
who is mentally exhausted
who is trying to hold their family together
who is one emergency away from losing stability
who is rebuilding after loss
who is simply trying not to break
And yet they still show up.
That deserves compassion.
Planting Seeds of Hope Together
In support of mothers, women everywhere, and Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May, I wanted to create a way to give back through Words We Write.
If you visit www.wordswewrite.org and purchase my eBook, Seeds of Hope for Love of Life, now only $5.99, another woman or mother in need will receive a free downloadable copy as well.
And if reading is not your thing, I also created a “Buy Me a Coffee” donation option.
For every $5 donated, another woman will receive a free eBook filled with reflection, encouragement, healing, resilience, and hope.
Because words matter.
Connection matters.
And sometimes encouragement arrives exactly when someone needs it most.
Even Sharing Helps
And if you are not in a position to give financially right now, please know that I understand that deeply.
Even sharing a post matters.
Even spreading the word matters.
Even offering encouragement matters.
Support does not always have to look financial.
Sometimes support simply looks like helping someone feel seen.
For the Women Quietly Carrying So Much
To every woman quietly carrying more than people realize right now:
I see you.
And no matter what social media may look like on the surface, please remember this.
Your worth is not defined by your struggle.
Your value is not determined by your bank account.
And your strength is not measured by how silently you suffer.
Keep going.
One step at a time.
Lovingly Me,
Annie Marie
Words We Write: Real Talks with Annie
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