Are You Really The Sum of Your Social Media Profiles?
Sometimes what we see out there can impact how we see ourselves.
I recently ran across a post on Realtor.com called “The Real You Isn’t on Facebook.” Normally I read something, then go on with my day and pay no more attention to it other than recognizing it as an interesting bit of information. This one however, seemed to stick with me for a couple days. It resonated with me, and I wanted to share it with you all.
The idea that everyone makes their lives look better than they really are on social media is not only real; it’s rampant. We tend to place ourselves in the best light possible in any situation. It’s human nature. We veer towards pleasure, and steer ourselves away from pain and embarrassment. Is there something wrong with posting good things on Facebook? Absolutely not. In fact it’s encouraged! After all, life is a celebration and should be treated as one.
See, Facebook is a revolutionary tool that ties people together from all over. It’s also a potentially risky place to get caught up in the “keeping up with the Jones’” mentality. People you know and love, and people you just met, all stand shoulder-to-shoulder in your news feed dripping details about their lives, the success they’ve experienced, and the material possessions they’ve acquired.
Let’s be honest though, who really are these people? It may be easy to piece together for the people you know very well, but what about those you don’t know so well?
Let me ask it another way. If you were to look at your own social media feed, would somebody you’ve never met before be able to tell what kind of person you are? How accurate would they be based on the content you put out?
There is no right or wrong answer; it is simply an exercise in becoming aware. The reality is that most people would feel happiness for all the good things coming into the lives of those they love, but there’s also those who will feel a bit inadequate from time to time for not having what others have. Especially if the posts you see are of people you met years ago and have lost touch with, but still show up on your news feed periodically.
Simply realize that there’s more to a person’s life than what they announce on social media. Try not to internalize other people’s successes in life as your failures. You have skills, talents, and abilities others do not, and the simple understanding that you’re enough, just as you are, is enough to combat any mixed feelings when you have a moment of weakness and self doubt.
I highly recommend taking the five minutes to read the post “The Real You Isn’t on Facebook,” it’s a great read. Tell me what you think!