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The first time I watched The Truman Show, I thought it was a clever, slightly creepy movie about a guy who doesn’t realize his entire life is a reality show.
The second time I watched it, as a mom deep in the trenches of parenting? It hit differently.
Because, honestly? Motherhood today feels a lot like being Truman.
We live in a world where every parenting moment feels like it’s being watched, commented on, or compared to someone else’s.
Social media has turned motherhood into a constant performance. The pressure to curate our lives, to make everything look effortless and beautiful, is overwhelming.
And just like Truman, so many of us are walking through life wondering: Is this real, or am I just doing what I think I’m supposed to do?
1. The Pressure to “Perform” Motherhood Is Exhausting
Truman’s entire life is scripted. Every interaction is designed to keep up appearances. Every decision is monitored.
Sound familiar?
As moms, we feel pressure to make everything look just right.
The matching outfits. The aesthetically pleasing lunchboxes. The holiday traditions that require hours of effort for one Instagram post.
Even when we’re exhausted, we push through because it feels like we should. Because other moms seem to be doing it.
Because what if we’re not enough?
But here’s the thing: Truman’s entire world is fake. The expectations placed on him aren’t real. And neither are the ridiculous, unattainable expectations of social media motherhood.
2. Everyone Is Watching (Or At Least It Feels That Way)
In the movie, Truman is constantly being observed—his entire life is entertainment for other people.
Motherhood in the age of social media feels eerily similar.
Every decision we make feels like it’s being judged. Bottle vs. breast. Sleep training vs. co-sleeping.
Organic homemade baby food vs. whatever keeps them alive today.
We second-guess ourselves, not because we’re unsure of our choices, but because we’re worried about what others will think of our choices.
Reality check: No matter what you do, someone will have an opinion. The only opinion that matters? Yours.
3. The “Perfect Life” You See Online? It’s Edited.
One of the most powerful moments in The Truman Show is when he starts noticing the cracks.
The way people repeat scripted lines. The way his world isn’t as real as he thought.
That’s exactly what social media does to motherhood.
Those perfect homes? Cropped out of frame is a pile of laundry.
Those smiling kids? Two seconds later, one of them was probably having a meltdown.
That mom who looks effortlessly put together? She also has days where she’s drowning.
No one is really living the Pinterest-perfect life we think they are. We’re all just showing the best parts.
4. Breaking Free from the “Truman Show” Version of Motherhood
At the end of the movie, Truman makes a choice: He walks away. He stops playing the part he was given and decides to live life on his own terms.
And, honestly? That’s the best parenting decision we can make too.
- Say no to the pressure to “do it all.”
- Stop comparing your everyday life to someone else’s highlight reel.
- Let go of the need to perform.
- Focus on your version of motherhood—the one that feels real and good and joyful for you.
5. The Real Magic Happens When You’re Truly Present
The best moments of motherhood aren’t the ones that look good online. They’re the messy, chaotic, real ones.
They’re the late-night cuddles with a feverish kid.
The laughter at the dinner table over something ridiculous.
The moments when you’re fully there—not worrying about how it looks, but just living it.
Because at the end of the day, our kids don’t need us to be picture-perfect.
They just need us.
Final Thoughts
The Truman Show predicted a world where life felt like a constant performance—and, unfortunately, that’s where a lot of modern motherhood has ended up.
But we don’t have to stay in that cycle.
Motherhood isn’t a show. It’s real life.
And the more we let go of the pressure to be “perfect,” the more we actually get to enjoy it.
So if you’ve ever felt trapped in the social media version of motherhood, let this be your permission slip to walk away from the script and just be real.
Because the real moments? They’re the best ones.
