Social media has been a revelation of our generation. We spend more time sharing our thoughts and our feelings than we ever have before, and while it’s an amazing piece of technology, social media has the potential to be poisonous. Social media gives people the illusion that they have the right to say what they want, to whom they want, at any given time. Trolls used to be characters in storybooks and now this is the term coined for those who hide behind social media and make nasty comments.
From bodies to faces, trolls always have something to say about someone, and if you rely heavily on your social media accounts, there is a chance that you will fall victim to the nasty opinion of someone else. If you don’t fall victim to trolls, you may fall victim to your own view of yourself based on watching other people’s lives.
You scroll someone else’s Instagram feed and wish that their life was yours, their body was yours, why can’t you get permanent hair removal/plastic surgery/tattooed eyebrows/contour lessons – you name it and you can get sucked into it. Social media doesn’t deserve to be the reason that you are feeling low about yourself. You cannot allow social media to ruin your view of you based on someone else’s life. It’s only a pinch of someone’s life you’re viewing. Here are some other reasons you shouldn’t let social media ruin how you feel about yourself:
- There is plenty of happiness in your life, and just because you don’t have all of the chances to get plastic surgery or Botox, it doesn’t mean that you should go and get it. People can be trendsetters without you copying them, and you don’t need to – you’re amazing as you are!
- Comparison is the thief of joy. Instead of critiquing your life based on the lives of others, inspire yourself, instead. Don’t beat yourself up for not having xyz, and go and get the things that you actually want for all of your life. If you love someone’s outfit, pinpoint what of that outfit would look great on you and remember you are NOT that person – you have your own style.
- Make a list of the things you’re grateful for in your life away from social media. Every time you need a reminder of how awesome your life is, read that list again and again!
- Remember, social media is a highlight reel. For all the pretty pictures you see of someone’s life, you’re not seeing any of the scary things that are likely going on in their lives. You’re not seeing the pain of a boob job and the recovery of a tummy tuck. That person who lost 50lbs? They’re terrified of eating now, but they won’t show you that.
- Send the person you’re watching on social media luck and love. Jealousy is an ugly thing but it’s totally natural. If you feel jealous of someone else, congratulate them on their good fortunes, and then remember what it is you are good at and what you have in your life.
Only you can control how social media makes you feel. Make sure that you are smart about what you watch online.
