How social media messed with my relationships without me even realizing it

For a while I didn’t even clock that this was happening. I’d scroll through people’s pages and start comparing my own relationships (friendships, family, romantic, whatever) to what I was seeing online. Like why doesn’t my friend group look as close as theirs, why don’t I get tagged in stuff like that, why does my relationship not look like that.

Eventually I realized most of what I was comparing myself to wasn’t even real, just the highlight reel version people choose to post. But by the time I figured that out I’d already started resenting people close to me for things that honestly weren’t their fault, just me measuring us against some curated version of other people’s lives.

Took a while to unlearn that. Stopped scrolling as much and started actually just being present with the people I already had instead of measuring them against strangers online.

Curious if anyone else went through something similar, and how you snapped out of it.

Comments

moonhippie•5 days ago•2

I've never believed what I see online. It's like looking at women in a beauty mag (which women have been doing for decades - comparing themselves to models) and thinking it's all real.

You're only seeing what a poster wants you to see.

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glossy-angel•3 days ago•1

Yes I totally can relate. I already suffer depression but If I scroll I will start comparing and hating my life and resenting those around me. I havent got IG anymore and I feel so much better.

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