Popping The Social Media Bubble

I’ve been thinking about social media [SM] recently and, specifically, how it makes me feel.

So I jotted down - honestly, with no filter - how SM leaves me feeling:

• A bit stressed and panicky; that I’m not keeping up with / ‘liking’ family and friends’ lives enough (due to time constraints rather than disinterest) and so people will think I don’t care

• Inadequate: a scroll often leaves me feeling unstylish, unattractive, lazy, not clever enough, unpopular and (urgh) NOT LIVING MY BEST LIFE

• Frustrated; rather than enjoying the blissful pleasure of writing, I’ve been relying on validation from others. Waiting for the ‘likes’ on SM (which sometimes don’t come) or feeling snubbed when SM activity is unreciprocated

• Paranoid; sometimes I convince myself family and friends are liking others’ posts, but not mine. I worry, is it me? Did I do something wrong? Am I really dull?

Not good, huh? I read it back with horror, realising (a) what utter, irrational MADNESS it was and (b) there’s no good stuff.

This dreadful list is my Damascene moment; it’s time to approach things differently. Katherine Ormerod’s book Why Social Media is Ruining your Life has been on my to-read list for a while, but clearly needs elevating.

Katherine tackles how SM has created unattainable levels of perfection and a boiling pressure cooker of comparison, smashing our confidence. Her book provides us with the weaponry to consume SM healthily.

So, I will reframe SM as a useful tool, not an enemy. Instagram is, slowly but surely, helping my little writing business grow. I’ve made great connections and (ignoring the duds) it’s an inspiring and educating space to hang out.

I’ll also remember, most people are too busy getting on with their own lives to notice what I’m doing. The good ones don’t determine someone’s worth by the cost of their dress.

Oh, and some of them are just trying to survive behind those little, curated squares.