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Influencer reveals 'what you don't see' online, says 'perfection doesn't exist'

Bree Lenehan shared a powerful self-love message with her 730,000 Instagram followers.

Influencer Bree Lenehan is back with another body positive post. (Photo via Instagram/breeelenehan)
Influencer Bree Lenehan opened up about perfectionism and comparison on Instagram. (Photo via Instagram/breeelenehan)

Bree Lenehan is back with another body positive post.

Earlier this week, the influencer took to Instagram to share a powerful self-love message with her more than 730,000 followers.

In the post, the 26-year-old shared two side-by-side photos — one posed and edited, the other natural and unposed — to remind fans not to believe everything they see online.

Lenehan added a second slide where she rocked a cute sundress, styled her hair in loose waves and showed off her smooth, clear skin. She explained the glam photo is what you'd normally see online, before sharing a different snap of her "usual" look — complete with bags under her eyes, acne, no makeup and a messy ponytail.

"Don't be hard on yourself if your life doesn't look as glamorous as someone else's," she began in the caption.

"This post is a prime example of why you're doing yourself a huge disservice by doing that."

The content creator went on to explain that "perfection doesn't exist" because the posts we see online are "aesthetically pleasing" and document the highs of someone's life.

"That's not necessarily what their lifestyle looks like at all times. It's just what they feel comfortable and inspired to share," she revealed. "What you don't see all over the internet are the less appealing/uninspiring/quick meals, dirty dishes in the sink, the skin breakouts, the month-old manicure that is peeling off, faded and cracked, the way they overthink everything they said ... the list goes on!"

The social media star concluded her post with an inspirational message about self-confidence.

"Don't compare your everyday life to someone else's. When we constantly put our wins up against others' wins, it can make us feel like we have no wins to celebrate at all. You're doing your best... Go you!" she said.

In the comments, fans praised the influencer for the much needed "reality check."

"Seriously, these posts help so much! Love it! Thank you for being such a beam of sunshine and positivity!" shared one person. "This is such an important reality check."

"All I can say is thank you! It's time to change what's normal and expected," penned a fan. "Instagram vs. reality sucks."

"You're so right — we cannot compare ourselves to all these posed and edited photos we see on social media. It's not real life, and you're helping people to remember that!" added another with a heart emoji.

This isn't the first time the influencer has asked fans to stop comparing their bodies to others.

In December, Lenehan asked her followers to embrace their natural bellies — no matter what they look like.

In the TikTok video, she smiled at the camera, while showing fans various angles of her body and waist. In some of the angles she sucked in, showing a seemingly slim physique. In others she relaxed, revealing her "normal" bloated stomach.

"Reminder, it's OK not to have a flat tummy. Even the people who look like they have a flat tummy normally don't most of the time. You are normal," she wrote on the screen.

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