Hannah noticed her teenage daughter seemed sad one day. When she asked about it, her daughter shared that she’d been on social media. All of her friends were taking lavish spring break vacations and having plenty of fun while she was stuck at home.
After listening, Hannah opened the Facebook app on her phone. She pulled up her best friend’s profile and handed the device to her daughter. “Look through her first ten photos and write down what you see on a notepad.”
Her daughter rolled her eyes but did as she was asked. When she was done, her short list read like this: Victoria is pretty, thin, has a cute boyfriend, and a good job. She’s a big fan of the Steelers and she loves rock climbing.
Hannah tapped the list, “Victoria was homeless for a few months as a kid. In college, she was diagnosed with a serious digestive disease. She battled an addiction to painkillers following her last surgery. She just got out of rehab last year. But you can’t see all of that just by looking at her photos. On the outside, her life looks perfect.”
Look Beyond the Selfie
It doesn’t matter how old you are. On social media, it’s tempting to think that what you see is the whole story. But it’s important to remember that most social users are presenting a curated look at their life.
It’s not that people on social media sites are trying to be deceptive. It’s just that many people document their happy moments. This includes things like vacations, pregnancy news, graduation ceremonies, and weddings.
Why Social Media Can Make You Feel Bad
The downside to all of this positivity is that it can leave you feeling like you’re lacking in some ways. You might look at a picture of someone else’s family where everyone is smiling and think that your friend has a wonderful life.
But what she won’t share are the unsupportive remarks her husband makes about her online business. She doesn’t post about her son’s struggle with a learning disability or talk about her daughter’s crippling depression.
How Social Media Affects You
Frequently comparing your life to the lives of others on social media can lead to anxiety and depression. You may find yourself asking yourself questions like, “What if I’m not as popular as her? What if no one likes my selfie? Does that mean I’m ugly? My life isn’t as pretty as hers!”
Ironically, spending more time on social media means you have fewer conversations in real life. This can worsen anxiety and depression, creating an unhealthy cycle that leaves you unhappy and isolated.
The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in comparison mode. You can disconnect from social media when you notice that you’re feeling bad about yourself or your life. The more you do this, the easier it will become to break social media’s effect on your outlook.
Here are a few of our most recent blog posts:
- Time Management Hacks for ADHD: How to Keep Your Focus and Get Things Done!
- Tips on Boosting Self-Confidence for Teens
- Common Meditation Problems
- Common Goal Setting Obstacles and How to Maneuver around Them
- Committing Yourself to Positive Actions
If you’d like to follow me on social media, you can find all of my links HERE
Get It Done Faster!
Just click the picture to get your free copy now!
Includes free eBook AND free workbook, including worksheets and instructions for each of the techniques!
Designed specifically for those on the go, dive deep into the art of rapid productivity. Every moment matters; make the most of it.
In a world that incessantly pushes for more hours, more hustle, and more grind, a revolutionary approach is quietly rewriting the rules of productivity. Have you ever found yourself staring at the clock, wondering where the day went and why your to-do list remains untouched? You’re not alone. The common belief is that longer hours equate to more accomplishments, but what if the key isn’t more time, but how you use it?
Introducing “Get It Done Faster” — a game-changing technique that capitalizes on our brain’s natural rhythms and energy peaks. Instead of laboring for hours on end and burning out, imagine achieving more in short, focused intervals, punctuated by refreshing breaks. It’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter. This method, inspired by tools like the Pomodoro technique and the Eisenhower matrix, taps into the sweet spot of productivity, ensuring that you’re operating at your peak when it matters most.
The links on this page may be affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a commission. This does not change the cost for you.
Leave a Reply