In the world of double taps for likes, “slut shaming,” Instagram models, billionaire babies, everything designer, faking it until you make it and the many social platforms that give us the audience to watch us play out every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder you might find yourself in a silent competition with others. STOP IT!
Every now and then I have to step back and reflect on my life, my accomplishments and what I am still striving for. It’s so easy to get caught up in what other people around you are doing and accomplishing that you forget that life isn’t actually “perfect”.
Don’t get me wrong, Instagram is most definitely my guilty pleasure, but even I can admit that social media is about presenting the best you to the world, even if its not REALLY you.
What I mean by this is the culture of social media has created a place where we are constantly observing only the best of people and their lives. For instance, who takes 100 selfies and chooses the worst one?
And what about that nice new dream car one of your followers just bought, but failed to mention how they were unemployed for six months the year before. No one wants to promote their flawed reality. It’s just not how society works. But that’s just it, it’s not reality.We are so hung up on displaying a life of perfection, we forget that life is about imperfection.
According to a study done by the consumer trends company Future Foundation, “56% of social media users believe that they are not living up to their full potential.” The study goes on to suggest that 1 in 3 regular users wish they could be the person they described themselves as on social media, rather than the one they are in real life.
This is not only sad, but it’s a real issue. Social media is destroying the perceptions we have of ourselves and our overall esteem. A lot of us play a game I like to call compare and despair. It’s likely you’ve spent hours on Facebook and Instagram doing this. Looking at pictures of beautiful women and their perfect bodies, skin and hair. Looking through your Timeline and reading all of the positive accomplishments your friends are talking about, how your old college friends just traveled the world, while you are barely making rent each month. Possessions, status, approval nd accomplishments, this is all that we seem to concern ourselves with these days.
MUST READ: You’ll Never Guess What Social Media Is Doing To You Now
Whatever happened to happiness and contentment? When did we lose sight of this?
Secrets, problems, unaccomplished dreams, grief and insecurities. This is what our realities are. We need to re-evaluate how we determine our happiness and perception of self. All of this comparison just turns into self-hatred and ultimately, a distraction.
Take your power back and focus on what is most important. Everyone is created different for a reason. Each of our individual paths are meant to take us on different journeys. Remember all that you’ve accomplished and that loving yourself is more important that finding the approval of others.
Remind yourself of what you love about you, what you find beautiful about you. Find your authenticity. And remember, kick the compare and despair game to the curb. You will never be able to keep up with a false reality.
Visit KissTheChaos.com and follow me on Instagram: @Ooolala_laa
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
