Social media isn’t the real world.

Words to live by, according to country music star Carrie Underwood.

The American Idol judge shared her social media motto recently: “Post and ghost.”

“I stole that from Joe Rogan,” Carrie told E! News in an exclusive interview. “It’s really important when you think about social media that you realize it’s not the real world. …

“It took me a long time to realize that, and a long time to be secure enough in myself to be like, ‘Do I care if somebody doesn’t like my hair today, or this thing I sang or how I sang it? I don’t.’”

Underwood takes a more practical look at social media.

“I’m 42 years old. I’ve got two kids I’m trying to raise to be good humans,” Underwood said. “I’m just out there doing the best I can, so if I want to post something, I’m just going to do it and leave it there.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.