In May 2019
we wrote about perfectionism and being a perfectionist. In this article we
examine how social media has changed the way we look at others and how we judge
ourselves.
The rise of
social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has led to
various notable changes in our daily lives. And that includes the way we
communicate, the opinions we hold of others and the use of technology.
If you take
time to look around you, even as you walk down the streets or at any social
gathering, you will notice that almost 80% of individuals are often glued to
their mobile phones or at least securely holding one in their hand.
That's the
true picture of how social media and the perfectionist syndrome is taking a
toll on us. And it's for this reason that various society experts are getting
worried about the effects of social media networks on our lives. But how
serious is this and what's the main reasons behind it? Keep reading to learn
more!
The Rise Of The Perfectionists
A simple
scroll through major social media platforms will instantly reveal that almost
everyone is leading their best life. It feels like a virtual competition where
everyone wants to be noticed.
A scramble
for likes, views, comments, and following defines the life of a heavy social
media user. But is this really what
their developers had in mind in the first place? Of course not!
It was meant
to be a place for fun. To meet new people, explore opportunities and get a
glimpse of the world out there. But users are now taking it too seriously and
it's slowly transforming into a place of "survival for the fittest".
And as this happens, we as a society are slowly losing focus and falling right
into the traps of the social media and the perfectionist theme.
If you
examine carefully, you will notice that most individuals are addicted to their
social media or virtual lives. And as much as most of them aren't living their
best lives in real life, they do in their virtual worlds and that's where the
problem begins.
They can
readily go to any extreme to ensure they maintain their social media looks. And
that includes borrowing money to purchase/ hire that expensive stuff they keep
flaunting on their accounts, go for "trips" or host parties without
any trace of shame or guilt.
While that
might not seem like a big issue, the major problem starts when one gets so much
into it that they can't simply seem to come into terms with their reality and
start chasing unrealistic fantasies. Perfect lives spent with perfect families
with perfect friends in a perfect world just isn’t reality but the knock on
effect can be serious.
This is when
the perfectionists start suffering from various mental issues to the extent of
wanting to manipulate the present to compeer with contemporaries for what's not
even there in the first place.
Most of them
go into depression, experience frustrations and throw around tantrums when they
can't keep up with the game. And then there are people that follow others
silently and want to emulate whatever their social media "role
models" post without critical analysis.
Unknown to
them, the posters don't even adhere to what they post on their timelines. Woe
unto you if you believe it!
Take Away
Everything
in life has two sides; the good and the bad. So as much as social media use is
great for our social life, we shouldn't turn a blind eye to the rising trend of
the social media perfectionist.
What people
post is mostly far from reality. That "perfect" photo or video has a
story behind it, so before you stress yourself by joining the game, please be
aware of the line between reality and fantasy.
Draw it,
lest you find yourself deep into the social media perfectionist pit that will
only drain you.
Mayfair, we
care