Social Media Burnout: Why confidence on social media doesn’t mean you can’t feel anxiety in real life
Social media was initially meant to create a space for connecting and celebrating life’s greatest moments with our friends. However, social media can feel necessary instead of fun, like our brand instead of our true self, and isolating instead of belonging.
Look for the following signs that you are experiencing social media burnout:
We seek more temporary connections online
An increase in isolation
Higher risk for burnout if your job entails social media
Lapses in creativity and motivation
Low self-esteem
High comparison to others
Dissatisfaction with life
Identity struggles
Increase fear of judgment
Difficulty making decisions
Feelings of stagnation
Poor sleep hygiene from endless scrolling
Procrastination and increased distractedness
The idea of connection is still loosely intertwined within the pillar of social media platforms - we see someone post their day-in-the-life and instantly relate to them or get inspired. We feel a temporary connection but how many seconds does this connection last until we scroll and form more connections before putting our phone down? We probably still need more profound and meaningful connections as humans.
Life online has become superficial and inauthentic for some. People have become accustomed to showcasing a one-dimensional persona that exudes validation and attention-seeking tendencies. The number of likes we get on a post translates into our validity on these platforms. These expectations can cause a new form of anxiety and stress, one that does not just stop when we leave school or the office.
The life we post online and our real lives are often incongruent. Humans are naturally complex, unique, and multifaceted, and social media cannot capture every dimension of YOU. Anytime we feel a disconnect within ourselves, we often experience a range of mixed emotions, insecurities, and dissonance.
Here are some ways that we can combat the disconnection and create a fuller sense of self that welcomes a social media presence while honoring and celebrating all that you are:
Prioritize in-person hangouts: Merge both worlds and take ten seconds for content out of your coffee date with some girlfriends
Find a balance between vulnerability and oversharing on social media
Set limits on how much time you spend reading comments and analyzing engagement
Do more, post less: Find hobbies and things you do for fun rather than a post inspo
Break up endless scrolling throughout the day
Talk to a professional who understands the duality of online presence and understand/develop your true identity (it’s okay if this identity is different than the person your followers/subscribers see)
Learn more by visiting these popular resources:
New York Times Creator Burnout
GoodHousekeeping How to Avoid Social Media Burnout
Why confidence on social media doesn’t mean you can’t feel anxiety in real life
