I hate Facebook. I hate Instagram. I hate Twitter. I hate Snapchat too, but that’s mostly because I can’t figure out how to use it and now I feel old (can someone please explain it to me?). I use all these applications – obviously, I’m posting this on at least one of them – but I still loathe them.
Social media is great because it helps me feel involved in the lives of friends who live states away. It’s terrible because the time I spend on any of these applications never makes me feel more accomplished or fulfilled. They nearly always make me feel I’m not good enough, or not doing enough. I see everyone talking about their amazing lives and instantly I feel dissatisfied with my own. With social media, the bad outweighs the good.
I’ve come close to deleting all social media applications from my life (mainly Facebook), but then I think, “How will I get updates on everyone’s lives?!” and I’m sucked back in. I know the obvious answer would be to put my energy into actually calling these far away friends and family, but it’s just so easy to click on a button and have all the information I think I need in seconds.
So, I’m stuck in the bottomless pit of measuring myself by what others are doing.
It’s mildly comforting to know this feeling of inadequacy by comparison isn’t a new phenomenon. The phrase, “keeping up with the Joneses” dates back to the early 1900s, but the temptation to compare ourselves to others goes back to the beginning of human history. One of the first stories in the Bible is of Cain killing his brother because he was jealous and wanted what his brother had.
The inclination we have for comparison is frustrating. Why can’t we just be happy as we are, flaws and all? The answer ultimately lies in finding our worth in God and in being the people He made us to be instead of trying to be someone else. It can be difficult to do this, though, when we’re constantly bombarded with the pressure to be more and do more.
If you’re struggling in this area, reach out to someone you trust and talk about it with them. Please know you’re not alone – I’m right there with you and I’m pretty sure the rest of the world is too.
