Even just a casual scroll through your social media feeds can trigger feelings of not being enough. With the prevalence of social media, it is so easy to become consumed with comparing oneself to others who appear to be living their best life. You may not even realize you are internalizing the messages on your social feeds. It is worthwhile to frequently remind yourself that social media often presents an idealized version of people’s lives, which may not accurately represent their true lived experiences.
Even if you feel you have a healthy relationship with social media it is a good rule of thumb to take content on social media feeds–especially aspirational health content– at face value. There is a vast black hole of aspirational “health and wellness” content on social media. This type of information and advice on social media doesn’t have the structure or support needed to make lasting changes in your life. That doesn’t mean you certainly can’t enjoy certain aspects of social media like peer support and camaraderie. But it can help to take an arm’s-length viewership stance and see this type of content as inspiration to fuel your personal goals and interests.
Maybe it is time to do a follower cleanse. This involves reviewing the accounts you follow on your social media feeds and asking yourself what their “value add” is for you in this particular season in your life. What emotions arise with specific accounts? It is probably wise to unfollow any accounts that make you feel unworthy, powerless, or just generally crappy.
Remember that rather than comparing oneself to others, it’s important to focus on personal growth and celebrate your own accomplishments and successes. You can cultivate a more positive and empowering relationship with social media by prioritizing personal growth and avoiding the trap of comparison.
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