If we glance at social media posts, we can't miss noticing that almost everyone is having a great time and is politically astute with very strong views and opinions about almost every topic. These are not bad things at all, everyone should be happy and be aware of what is happening around them socially and politically. However, if we look closely, this is not about happiness or awareness, this is all about sharing our curated lives and propagating our beliefs. Previously politicians and celebrities used to do this, now, almost everyone is doing it. I remember that people used to accuse politicians and celebrities of being double-faced, displaying something, but in reality, being something else, that is, being fake. Now, social media is one big mall where fake lives are on display and almost everyone is shopping or at least window shopping there. Even though people know it's fake and manipulated, people can't stop, the same way, they couldn't stop reading about the fabricated lives of film stars and politicians during the pre-social media era. Social media has been recognized as one of the addictions that people suffer from. Many people suffer from either a chronic desire to share their curated lifestyle or browsing glimpses of the curated lifestyles of others. Both these things create an undue pressure of sharing perpetual happiness, because this is what we see on social media, others are having a great time and are happy all the time, so, we want to display that we are doing the same. Also, not everyone is happy to watch others having a great time, many get stressed and become unhappy and dissatisfied about their own lives. The result of all this is most of the things posted on social media are well-curated. We see the galvanized and glossy lives of everyone. Everyone is either having a party or attending some party. I am not saying that there are no exceptions, of course, genuine and useful information is also shared on social media and many people benefit from such information. Many people use social media to spread social and political awareness and help others, but definitely, narcism through the display of wealth and self-centered posts is on the rise.
Not long ago, people used to watch glossy and curated accounts of the lives of celebrities in magazines and on TV programs. It was presented as if those people were having a great time with all their money and luxurious lifestyle, but once in a while some ugly or tragic details of their lives used to come out indicating that what looked so glossy and galvanized was apparently not that glossy and galvanized. People who are happy and having a great time look happy and make everyone around them happy, they share not only their happiness but also help others to become happy. But an over-the-top and exuberant display of perpetual happiness is many times used to hide underlying unhappiness. Actually, it is tragic that people are scared to share their vulnerabilities and struggles, they only want to display their shining side, this is what the legacy of those celebrity magazines has taught us and we are getting good at it. Social media is becoming a place to display our glossy lives and window-shop for ideas from others to improve our display. It is hard to be real, it is hard to accept mistakes, it is hard to share our struggles, it is hard to ask for help, and it is hard to stand for others. But isn't all this makes us human? All this makes us a family and cultivates a sense of community. What type of community it is where you can't share your true feelings? How and when did we forget all this? We are so busy showing others that we are happy, that we forget to pause and enjoy our happiness. The process and pressure of sharing our status on social media are consuming us completely. Let's take a pause and enjoy. Of course, share stories and pictures, but also show the real you in that along with all that glamor and glitter, otherwise, what's the difference between the reel life and real life. Finally, don't fall for the propaganda that we must be happy all the time. This is not possible, as the weather changes our situations and moods also change and that's what is life. Remember, social media is for you, you are not for social media.
Thank you for reading and please share your views on this topic.
© Vinay Thakur, All rights reserved, Vinay can be reached at thevinay2022@gmail.com
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