There is no doubt that we, as a generation, are social media obsessed. How many times have you heard someone mention how many likes their picture got on Instagram, or that they are in a rush to untag themselves from a less than flattering Facebook photo? These concepts, among others, are ones that we hear about on a daily basis and, despite their prevalence, ultimately have a deeper impact on individuals than one may initially realize.
Filters, good lighting, and a clever caption can make an average night in seem like the social event of the year, and the “likes” that quickly follow never hurt, right? I’m not so sure that this concept is as harmless as it seems. Social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more, were designed to increase ease of communication, serve as a forum for friendship and the sharing of ideas, and for simply having fun. Although these outlets serve their functions well, they have also unintentionally created a culture of over-sharing, using “likes” as a currency for happiness, and “FOMO” (otherwise known as “fear of missing out”) when seeing the lives of others so glamorously posted on your social media timelines.
It is impossibly easy to forget that reality and social media are distinct and separate entities. When every scroll and click leads to dazzling pictures, witty statuses, and enviable updates, it can be difficult to distinguish the line between authenticity and artful editing. This can, of course, lead to feeling unsatisfied, excluded, unfulfilled, and bitter at times when your own social media activity seems to be operating at less capacity than those around you. Not only that, but one may find themselves in need of creating an atmosphere of fun at all times, just because they think that is what everyone else is doing.
The truth is this: social media is not reality, or anything close to it. Over the years, social media has transitioned into what I call a “highlight reel” or essentially a compilation of what people see as the best of the best. When everyone is posting what he or she sees to be the best version of themself, those on the outside looking in may forget that it is not the only version of that person.
That isn’t to say that social media is bad, or that we should stop using it all together. In fact, I feel the opposite. I believe that social media is still an incredibly valuable tool to stay connected, informed, and to see what friends are up to. I feel that being aware of the disparities between social media outlets and the imperfect nature of the real world outside of them is vitally important. Fun, happiness, fulfillment and meaningfulness do not come from “likes” or finding a filter that makes you look tanner, slimmer, prettier, or whatever. Instead, they come from self-improvement, focusing on the important things in life, the ability to live in the moment without comparing yourself to what you see online, and most importantly, being your most authentic self.
