How Social Media Affects How We See Ourselves and Others

Social media is just such a big part of our lives nowadays. We scroll through pictures, videos, and news every day. While it keeps us connected to the world, it might change the way we think about ourselves and the people around us . Let's talk about how.

 We unconsciously compare

When we see perfect selfies, holiday photos, or somebody's success, naturally we think my life is not so great as that. We would start thinking, “Why don’t I look like that?” or “Why am I not doing as well as them?” We start feeling inferior to others by comparing. What we don't usually remember is that everyone shares only the highlights of their life on social media.

We believe what we see is real, even when it’s edited

Filters, photo software, and intelligent camera angles all make us look prettier. Skin smoother, bodies thinner, and smiles whiter. We start to think that these enhanced images are the "normal" ones after some time. This makes us think that we must look a certain way in order to be accepted or loved.

We measure our worth in likes and followers

Receiving likes, comments, or followers feels good;  it's a validation. But if we don't receive enough, we feel like we're ignored or unimportant. Some individuals even post just so they'll be noticed, not because they enjoy posting. This need for validation can creepily undermine our confidence and our value of self.

We start "performing" instead of being ourselves

Sometimes we do things just for content ,even if we do not like it. We dress in a particular way, hang out where all the rest of them are, or pretend to be cheerful when we're not. That makes it harder to be ourselves. It forces us to seem perfect every time and behave so.

It can affect our mood and mental health 

Too much time on social media will make us feel anxious, depressed, or lonely. Everyone else's "perfect" life will make us afraid we are missing out (FOMO, “Fear Of Missing Out.”). It causes us to feel like we have to catch up, do more, or be more, and exhausts us.

But all of it's not bad

Social media is not all that bad. It also allows people to reach out to like-minded individuals, learn from others, and interact. Today Social media is seen as a powerful tool for spreading messages, creating communities, and even starting social movements. We just need to use it responsibly. Follow positive influencers who inspire you, not those who discourage you. Take a break when needed and always remember: what you see online is often just a small part of somebody's life , and not the whole story.👀