Hi! Friends, Hope you are all healthy and fine. Today’s wellness Blog is about the Social Media comparison trap. Looking at the penetration of Digital Media, especially Social Media we can say “This is the Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube World and we are simply living in it”. Can you tell me the last time you spent a day without using any of the above Apps? Maybe it was when you went to some remote place where there was no Mobile Network or on a day when your phone was not working. So being on Social Media every day makes us the victim of the Social Media comparison trap.
Social Media, invented to promote social connections among people, has now turned into a space where glamorized lives are showcased and reality is distorted. So it is easy to fall into the trap of comparing our struggling, messy life with someone’s polished moments online. Getting up in the morning & checking the WhatsApp status of your friends, relatives & colleagues sharing happy moments can lead you to unwanted stress and anxiety at the start of the day itself. However, in most cases, these photos & videos show off only the happy moments of their relationships leaving out the intense arguments and difficulties they are facing. Most of us know that these moments that they share on Social Media are curated but still, this leads to a comparison analysis and has negative impacts on our mental health.
The Impact of Constant Comparison
One of the major impacts of constant comparison is the “I am not good enough, syndrome”. Constantly comparing with others, especially in areas where you are falling behind can lead to anxiety, depression, lack of confidence & lower self-esteem. In most cases, we are measuring our behind-the-scene reality with someone else’ fabricated Reel. Also, the more we go on scrolling and comparing the worse we feel about ourselves.
The Instagram Reel where your friend is enjoying his/her wedding anniversary at some amazing location & you are still not married. Some WhatsApp status where you see your friend/colleague is going to a resort with his group & you don’t have enough friends in your life. A Facebook Post of your friend flashing his new Bullet & on the other hand, you don’t know how to drive or can’t afford a bike. A Reel shared by your friend from the GYM where he is showing off his muscles while you are planning to replace the trousers you ordered online as your waistline has crossed 40 inches.
Also,
Females tend to compare themselves more negatively than males on social media apps and carry out more frequent ‘upward’ comparisons, which involve making a comparison to someone you deem as being superior to yourself (Samra et al., 2022).
Now, let’s see how to break this toxic loop of self-created Social Media Comparison Trap
1. Limit Social Media Time – Set boundaries regarding how much time you spend each day on Social Media. Avoid staying away from constant scrolling & engage in content that promotes positivity & happiness. Stay away from the habit of scrolling through Social Media feeds and checking WhatsApp status of your friends each day. Also, avoid using any form of Social Media App including WhatsApp at least for a couple of hours after you get up and an hour before you go to sleep. You can also read my Blog The 9 AM Mobile Connect to know more about when to start your Social Media in the morning.
2. Curate your Social Media Feed –Do an audit of your social media to find out the accounts that bring you down rather than lift you up and simply unfollow those accounts. Follow people or Social Media handles who inspire, motivate, and uplift you. Surround your Social Media timeline with unlimited positivity. Some of the personalities I recommend you to follow on Social Media are Robin Sharma, Gaur Gopal Das, & other realistic and positive creators. Focus on consuming positive content during your idle time on Social Media
3. Focus on your Journey – Remember that everyone is running their own race. They are in their time zone and you are in yours. So the things others have achieved might come late in your life. So keep trying & believing and don’t get bogged down by seeing the posts of your younger friends who have achieved what you have not achieved still.
‘Obama retired at 55, Trump started at 70.
Sydney is 3 hours ahead of Perth, but that doesn’t make Perth slow.
Someone became a CEO at 25 and died at 50.
While another became a CEO at 50 and lived to 90 years.
Do remember that everyone in the world works based on their time zone. So you are not late but very much on your time. So celebrate your success and accomplishment proudly on Social Media no matter how small.
4. Use Social Media smartly – Instead of wasting time watching what others do on social media and falling into the Social Media trap use Social Media smartly. Find successful people in your field on Social Media, build connections with them, upgrade your knowledge by watching some informative videos of your field on YouTube, and create some real & authentic content on Social Media from time to time that can be helpful to others.
5. Digital Detox – If your work doesn’t require the constant use of Social Media then I recommend taking at least 2 to 3 days off from Social Media every month. Taking regular breaks from social media will reset your mind and you will start focusing on real things rather than those fabricated Social Media Reels. Whether it’s a day, a weekend, or a fortnight, stepping away from Social Media can be liberating. During these breaks engage in doing things you enjoy, spend time with your loved ones, or simply enjoy the nature around you.
Conclusion The Social Media comparison trap is overwhelming and tough to get out of. But by cultivating discipline, self-awareness & finding a more balanced and healthier approach to Social Media usage you can Break Free. Also, try to focus on activities that give you pleasure like Cooking, Writing, and Dancing instead of spending your spare time mindless scrolling through Social Media feeds. So be wary of the Social Media comparison trap and focus on prioritizing your mental well-being & growing genuine offline connections.