When social media turns toxic

“Instead of being grateful for our lives, we are constantly comparing it with others on social media. No wonder every other person is unhappy”

I read this somewhere and it makes perfect sense. Social media has seeped into our lives in such a way that it is almost impossible to consciously not be a part of it. Although it comes in handy as it keeps you connected with your loved ones and keeps you updated on all what’s happening with them. However we should be aware when social media becomes toxic for us.

The first thing to establish is that everyone is uploading their best online. Their best food, clothes, cars, houses, friends and work moments. No one is sharing their failures or issues or setbacks. So if someone is going through a tough phase in life and logs on, he will get further depressed after seeing everyone else having a ball.

Here’s the truth- although it may seem like everyone is having a ball all the time, that is not and that cannot be true. Everyone has their own demons to face, everyone has to deal with their own problems. Yes, even the ones you feel have no problems.

My advice to you is that if you feel like social media has turned toxic for you and is taking a toll on your emotional wellbeing, get off it!

I know it is not easy. To not know where X is having dinner, where Y is partying, where Z is off on vacation. But answer me this, what difference does XYZ’s whereabouts make on your life? Then there is the fear of missing out. But again the stuff that you’re missing out, was it worth knowing in the first place?

Getting off facebook and instagram was the toughest thing for me. I knew I could never deactivate or delete my account, so here is what I did. I uninstalled both apps from my phone. A modern solution for a modern problem.

Trust me my mental health has improved tenfolds just by doing this. I spend the time saved from social media pointless browsing to reading a book and watching ted talks. Not only am I not wasting time anymore, I am utilizing it in a more productive way.

If despite of whatever I shared you still want social media to be the bad influence in your life, at least unfollow celebrities, makeup artists, influencers and so called marketing gurus. Rather follow people who would inspire you, people who talk about stuff that matters, people who convey useful information and ideas.

I will end my post on a simple note. You become what you feed your mind. By pointlessly browsing online, you are feeding your mind with unrealistic lifestyles, filtered lives and fake scenarios. And by spending your time elsewhere, you are consciously feeding your mind with information, knowledge and good habits. So what do you want to become? Choose accordingly 🙂