Reflective Essay: How Social Media Affected My Life

I decided it was time to come clean. I desperately needed to address that I had a problem. Although it started out virtual, my problem eventually became tangible, having very real impacts on my mood, emotions, and well being. My problem was social media; the way I used it, and the way it used me. I craved a sense of approval, one that needed to be renewed at increasingly frequent intervals. I displayed a glamorized depiction of my life, in order to impress peers and anyone else who viewed my profiles. I felt the need to compete with my friends, family, and even strangers in appearing of the highest status, having the most health, being the happiest, and having the most success. After discussing my feeling with my peers, and doing some research, …show more content…
The more likes I received, the more likes I craved. It was a never ending cycle, that left me with a perennial feeling of unease. This feeling led to a lack of focus and performance in all aspects of my life, including my ability to study which affected my schooling, my ability to be present which affected my relationships, and my ability to relax which began increasing my stress. I needed to look past the surface and inquire as to why I desperately sought after likes, and what it meant. I soon realized the likes were symbolic of approval, and I was addicted to the feeling of acceptance. I soon noticed I was not alone, nearly everyone posting was looking for approval, albeit for their own reasons. One person may be looking for approval on a new hairstyle, another hoping for approval on their poetry. Regardless, once I removed myself from social media I realized I had all the approval I needed, just by asking myself. This gave me a feeling on independence, and I know longer craved the approval of others. As a result, by trusting my own intuition I became happier, more mindful, and more …show more content…
Displaying only the highest peaks but never the baggage associated. Individual 's may share their brand new designer bag, but not the underlying credit card debt. Individual 's may display their chiselled body but not the amount of dieting, workouts, and sacrifices associated. Audience 's view these highlights and fear their lives are underwhelming in comparison and so they attempt to glamorize their own lifestyles too. Overtime it has become a frenzy of pretentious profiles all trying to impress complete strangers or acquaintances. I found that anytime I compared myself with anybody online whether it be my friends or strangers, I felt either egotistic or envious. These feelings were neither pleasant nor healthy. After deleting my social media accounts I stopped comparing myself to others, and just focused on myself. I learned real relationships have no need to be impressed by superficial and materialistic displays for their acceptance; they are based on much deeper values. Real relationships are forged from struggle, honesty, and love. Three things that are effectively missing from social networking. I 've once again noticed an increase in my happiness, confidence, and mental well