Can We All Stop Pretending Now?
I’m Exhausted and I’m Sure You Are, Too
There are only so many hours in each day.
Yes, Beyoncé continues to make more out of her 24 hours than most, but this doesn’t help us mere mortals trudging around down here.
Unfortunately, most of our time seems to be spent on maintaining a certain facade.
I’m sure you can relate.
You might not realize it, but the upkeep of this facade takes work. It requires an endless stream of selfies, the constant reframing of #coffeegrams, and most challenging, a pleasant demeanor that dismisses everything currently wrong with the world.
In other words, it demands an unrealistic set of expectations.
All for what? The chance to be “happy?”
I don’t buy it and I never have. Just because someone appears to have their shit together on social media doesn’t mean they do in real life. In many cases, this could be a clear sign of overcompensation.
I can’t necessarily blame anyone for wanting to make their lives look more glamorous than they really are. In some ways, it’s hard not to work towards a self-fulfilling prophecy.
However, I would venture to say that, since this is the path of least resistance, it is also one in which you will only find instant gratification. Posting the perfect selfie won’t do anything to improve your self-confidence in the future. Just like any gateway drug, you’ll get that small shot of dopamine now, but ultimately, you’ll need something more.
Since this superficial use of social media seems to be such a problem, what exactly can we do about it?
Start sharing all of yourself, both the good and the bad.
Are you having one of those days where everything feels hopeless? Share it.
Is self-doubt creeping in? Let others know it.
Do you need support or reassurance? Ask for it.
We’re all so convinced everyone else is perfect that we forget every single one of us has flaws, cracks, and insecurities that ultimately make us human.
If we took the time to share these “uglier” parts of ourselves, something amazing would happen. We would embrace these quirks and connect on a deeper level, knowing we aren’t alone in our imperfection.
As with any other “radical” movement, this won’t be easy, especially in the beginning. No one wants to be the first to go out on a limb and lead the way.
It’s going to take courage and vulnerability, two things that everyone claims to have, but in reality, are extremely hard to come by.
Start small. Make it easier on yourself by sharing something seemingly insignificant and work your way up to the deeper stuff.
Pretty soon, transparency on social media will become second nature.
Once you reach this point, urge someone else to do the same. Before you know it, we’ll have an accurate depiction of others and the lives they lead.
Maybe then, we will stop pretending to be something we’re not.
Are you tired of pretending to be someone you’re not on social media? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter at @williamfrazr.
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