Sad Social Media Users Need a Pep Talk
There’s no avoiding it: social media is everywhere. I tried to escape it, and you may have too, but by now I’ve joined every major platform besides Facebook. We’re exposed to so much content that it can be overwhelming, and we begin to feel negatively about our lives. We live in an insecure world, and people point fingers at our phones. But if you combat comparison with awareness, you’ll be able to navigate the virtual world with confidence.
The world is filled with negative comparisons. You see fitness inspo accounts and photoshopped models, trying to get you to lose weight or buy some product. Companies create impossible standards so that we buy their bras, or their deodorant, etc., and constantly being exposed to an image that we can’t replicate bangs a dent in our confidence.
Your body is normal and beautiful, whether it has cellulite, acne, hair, or chub, also known as: normal human attributes. Social media can manipulate us into thinking they’re gross or unhealthy, but you’re perfectly fine the way you are. In fact, being “unhealthy” is no excuse for insecurity. You can work towards a health goal and still love yourself.
People are so concerned with how others perceive them on social media, and I’m here to tell you something: nobody cares. We live with a skewed mindset where we think we’re better than everyone else, but we’re still waiting for validation. Validation feels wonderful, but in order to feel self-satisfied, we need to be able to validate ourselves. A lack of likes on Instagram doesn’t mean that people don’t like you. Not everyone scrolls to the bottom of their Instagram feed, so if you post at a certain time, others aren’t ignoring you. They probably just haven’t seen your post yet.
And so what if they are? Anybody who ignores you isn’t worth your time, and you’re probably cooler than those people anyway. Of course everyone presents the best image of themselves on the internet, but nobody’s life is perfect. Being aware that everyone is imperfect helps you embrace your own flaws. We’re all deeply flawed human beings, but it’s okay. Don’t mold yourself into what others want you to be, because those people are dissatisfied and want to take their frustrations out on others.
The beautiful part about social media is that you can express yourself to however many people you want. You can keep your accounts private and share with family members and friends, or you can go public and build a brand or send a message to endless amounts of people. Social media is what drives news, culture, and connects us to the entire world. It is a powerful modern development that shouldn’t be pushed aside as a stupid thing young people do or terrible for your mental health. Instagram isn’t the problem: your attitude about it is.
Use social media as an outlet of self expression and not a judgement panel for your life. Your life is fascinating and exciting whether it’s traveling the world or baking cookies over the weekend. Feelings are infective, so spread the good vibes around. May we take the inevitable takeover of the Internet with open, confident, and loving arms.
