Bethenny Frankel feels a responsibility to be honest on social media

Bethenny Frankel feels a responsibility to be honest on social media

Bethenny Frankel is not interested in having private and public personas. Whether she's at home with her family, sharing important news on social media, or promoting her many business ventures, the Real Housewives of New York City alum is who she is — take it or leave it.

"Years ago, I actually had a debate with someone about this on reality television because they said, 'You have your private life, and then you have your public life,' and I never thought they were so different," Frankel tells Form while promoting the second season of her CNBC show Money Court. "So it's just the path you choose. I mean, sometimes I envy people who can play just perfectly for their fans and then they're a completely different person. They're just so protected by this wall, but it's just not my personality."

Since The Real Housewives of New York City aired 14 years ago, the entrepreneur has developed a real relationship with her fans, she says. “Listen, I’ve been connecting with audiences, growing them and meeting new people for a decade and a half,” Frankel says. "I feel responsible in a lot of different ways now to be honest. I mean, I always have, but now [I strive] to sometimes proactively talk about something when it bothers me because I feel like [my fans and I] have a relationship."

An example of this is that she is known for sharing unfiltered “no hair, no makeup” selfies on Instagram. She has also pointed out the widespread use of filters, which she finds "deceptive" on social media.

But her willingness to be honest and open doesn't mean she reveals every detail of her life: Frankel has since learned to find a balance between reality and saving things for herself to protect her well-being. “I don’t overshare,” she says. "I have a private life. And sometimes you have to [remember] that not everything has to be said and not everything has to be shared. Just because you think it doesn't mean you have to say it. So that's a good lesson for me [and] for my daughter [12-year-old Bryn Hoppy]. It's just a good thing to practice in life."

Selena Gomez Revealed the Social Media Limit That 'Saved' Her Life

Balance is also crucial for the celebrity when it comes to health and well-being. Frankel doesn't follow a strict fitness regimen or avoid certain foods, she previously explained in one of her signature candid Instagram posts. “The way I do things is I try to take it one thing at a time,” she now shares. "So I've been dealing with some health issues and, for example, I've stopped drinking hard alcohol. [I'm] really just drinking some wine in moderation, but really not much."

Building a healthy habit that feels sustainable makes Frankel feel ready to take on others, she explains. However, she warns against completely changing your lifestyle in one fell swoop. “For example, don’t stop smoking and drinking while focusing on your sleep and exercise,” she advises. “So next thing [after cutting down on drinking], I just wanted to work out when I could,” says Frankel. Lately, she's been hopping on what she calls a "fake elliptical" for 30 minutes a few times a week.

Which is better: treadmill, elliptical trainer or bike?

Self-compassion is also key to building lasting healthy habits, whether it's exercising, eating healthy, or sleeping well, says Frankel. "So, just try not to get overwhelmed by things and have a bad relationship with it because you're just like, 'I'm bad, I have to do this, I didn't do that,'" she explains. “Just be really loving [to] think about what you can do, and you'll end up doing more if you're more relaxed about it.”

Aside from the usual suspects—sleep, diet, and exercise—Frankel is keenly aware that keeping your finances in order is central to overall well-being, especially when it comes to mental health. That's why Money Court, which she co-hosts with entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary, suits her so well.

In each episode of the show, the reality TV stars help business partners resolve financial disputes. Think Judy meets Shark Tank. “The stakes are really high,” says Frankel. "You can't have a financially healthy business if you don't have an emotionally healthy relationship with your partners, so there's a lot of that. We deal with finances and emotions and dynamics."

Your best advice to set you up for financial success (and therefore your overall well-being)? Ask all questions. “What is your real estate strategy, rent or buy?” says Frankel. "What's your home improvement strategy? I mean, it's just all these things that have to have budgets and conversations and you have to be vigilant in every single area."

It seems like Frankel's mindful approach to finances coupled with her self-compassionate approach to fitness and nutrition are the pillars of the TV personality's well-being. We hope she continues to share more of her unfiltered views on health and wellness on Instagram so everyone can join in.