Written by: Caroline Bellenger, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Comparing yourself to others is a natural human behaviour, but when it comes to social media, it can become a harmful and unrealistic habit. With curated feeds and highlight reels, social media platforms can create a distorted image of reality that can harm your confidence and self-esteem. In this article, we will discuss why comparing yourself to the success you see on social media is unrealistic and can damage your confidence.
Firstly, it's essential to understand that social media does not accurately represent real life. People tend to share only the highlights of their lives on social media, such as their achievements, vacations, and significant moments. They rarely share the mundane, the setbacks, or the struggles they encounter. As a result, social media presents a skewed version of reality that can make it difficult for you to accurately gauge your progress and success.
Secondly, social media has created an environment of constant comparison. With people sharing their lives on social media, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. You may see people who seem to have it all - the perfect job, the perfect partner, the perfect home - and start to question why you don't have those things. Comparing in this way can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a sense of failure, even if your own life is going well.
Thirdly, social media encourages us to seek external validation. We often use social media to showcase our own lives, and we crave the attention and validation of others. We may find ourselves posting pictures or updates purely for the purpose of receiving likes and comments. Posting like this can lead to a distorted view of success, where we place more value on the opinions of others rather than our own achievements and goals.
Lastly, it's important to remember that success is subjective. What may be considered successful for one person may not be the same for another. Social media can create a culture of comparison where we believe that success means having a certain number of followers, likes, or comments. However, true success comes from achieving personal goals and living a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to YOU.
So, what can you do to avoid comparing yourself to others on social media and damaging your confidence? Here are some tips:
Practice self-awareness: The first step to breaking the comparison habit is recognising when you are doing it. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings when scrolling through social media. If you notice that you are starting to feel inadequate or envious of others, it's time to take a break.
Limit your social media use: If social media is causing you to compare yourself to others, it may be helpful to limit your usage. Set boundaries for yourself, such as only checking your accounts at certain times of the day or limiting your scrolling time.
Focus on your own goals: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own goals and achievements. Take time to reflect on what is important to you and what you want to accomplish throughout your life. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.
Connect with others in real life: social media can create a sense of isolation and detachment from real-life connections. To counteract this, try to connect with others in person. Spend time with family and friends, join a club or community group, or volunteer for a cause you are passionate about.
Seek professional help: If comparing yourself to others on social media severely impacts your confidence and mental health, seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor can help you work through these feelings and develop strategies to build your confidence and self-esteem.
In conclusion, comparing yourself to the success you see on social media is unrealistic and can harm your confidence. Social media does not accurately represent real life, and constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Instead of comparing yourself, think of all the incredible things you have achieved and be grateful for all the things you have. You are enough, exactly as you are.
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Caroline Bellenger, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Caroline is an award-winning entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and wellness warrior. After experiencing childhood sexual abuse and over twenty years of addiction and mental health issues, Caroline enhanced her life by creating a toolbox of strategies that enabled her to improve her mindset, and self-esteem and create three successful businesses. As the founder of “Be The Impossible”, she has coached and inspired thousands of women to overcome their own life obstacles and create fulfillment and joy. She is the co-author of three books including Amazon's 1 Best Seller "Queens In Sand Castles". She has climbed to Everest Base Camp and competed in national sporting teams, including representing Australia in Triathlon at 50. Her transformation and achievements are a testament to her courage and determination to define her future regardless of age or past challenges. Caroline has dedicated her life to empowering other women through inspirational keynotes, books, coaching programs, and online education.
