While our college years are a time for personal growth, self-discovery, and fun, it can also be a very confusing time consisting of self-doubt and uncertainty. We are all in the same boat and every student experiences this roller-coaster of emotions, but it’s important to deal with these emotions in a healthy way.
When feeling down, it’s not uncommon to turn to social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram for some uplifting comments or likes from your peers. While not everyone uses social media solely for this purpose, it’s incredible how often something as menial as not getting 100-plus likes on a post can affect a person’s entire day and self-image.
While I, too, am sometimes guilty for worrying about the “progress” of my profile picture or Facebook status, when you really take a step back and realize just how silly it all is, it can be so eye opening. My best friend is one of the most beautiful and intelligent women I’ve ever met and it’s so disheartening to see her worked up over the lack of attention she receives on a picture she thought she looked good in. If social media makes you feel bad about yourself or if you rely on it too heavily to feel good, then log off. All that matters in this life is how you view yourself and your self-confidence should not be based on the validation of others.
I am not denying that we don’t need a little positive attention and encouragement from others sometimes. Everyone gets stressed and not every day is a good one, so it’s important to surround yourself with uplifting people who will show you real, true love. We cannot rely on our Instagram followers or Facebook “friends” to do this as there’s no way to really tell the sincerity of them. Instead of striving for likes, strive for the kind of love you feel when your parents say they’re proud of you when you and your best friends laugh until you cry, or when you come home to flowers on the table from your boyfriend. These real, raw experiences are what we’re all going to remember in life and are what really matter at the end of the day.
“Likes” do not determine your self-worth, your beauty or the amount of people that care about you. The amount of likes you receive will not be shown on a job application, it will not play a role in your future happiness, and it won’t be relevant in a few years time. This overwhelming need to feel popular on social media is not worth the stress and it’s so important to live for yourself instead of living a life you think others will “like.”
