SOCIAL MEDIA COMPARISON

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” ~Steve Furtick

COLLINS DICTIONARY MEANING When you make a comparison, you consider two or more things and discover the differences between them.

When you make a comparison, you say that one thing is like another in some way Synonyms: similarity, analogy, resemblance, correlation

Are comparisons on social media helpful?

Do you compare yourself to others on social media?

I know I do, and I quite often must stop myself. Knowing what I am doing is not in any way correct or helpful – I am referring specifically to comparing myself in a negative, not good enough, lacking, “why can’t I have that?” or “do that” mindset.

In 1954, social psychologist Leon Festinger popularized social-comparison theory, which argues that we have an intrinsic desire to assess our progress by comparing ourselves to others. When we engage in social media comparison, we make what he calls “upward” comparisons, whereby we measure ourselves against people who we feel inferior. Given the current nature of social media – Insta reels & Facebook stories, it is almost impossible to avoid the “upward” trap of comparison. Unfortunately, the “upward” comparing can have its downfalls and negative affects for many, such as feelings of dissatisfaction, sometimes desperation and at times even depression.

Social media comparison is in no way realistic or a fair comparison (Most of the time anyway). Firstly, and if we look at it logically - with little interpretation of the information provided by that page or account that you are comparing yourself to that may only be showing you a small snippet of themselves and more than likely an edited and filtered version. You mostly do not know enough about these people for ANY comparison you make and may draw to be valid, accurate or helpful.

This is like comparing your son’s personality, to the boy down the street that you saw from a distance in the park. It makes NO sense! You have no real tangible information, you cannot make any justifiable, solid nor reliable correlations between the two boys. It just is not possible. You can only make judgements and assumptions.

So, applying this same theory to ourselves and others on social media conjures up the exact same issues as the above example. We literally know nothing fundamentally solid about them, we know the bare minimum and ONLY what they have chosen to put forward. It is a grossly unfair situation to put ourselves into. What is even worse is that we create beliefs about ourselves based on these comparisons. Crazy right!

“Personality begins where comparison leaves off. Be unique. Be memorable. Be confident. Be proud.” ~Shannon L. Alder

Something we do know, is that social media is here to stay. The reels and the stories will always be there in some way. Hence why is it so important that we flip the script and start or continue to count your blessings.

What we need to do when we see others on social media is consciously and with awareness and gratitude view the posts and stories, but the KEY is to form no judgement or assumption. Create no opinion…. just be where you are in that moment, view it and move on. HARD? YES!!

In our daily scrolling of social media, we pick up so many energies and vibes and influences, through not being conscious of the affects it can or may have on you. (both positive and negative- let me clear that not all encounters on social media are negative).

But what I am going to suggest is - BE YOUR OWN INFLUENCER, compare you, to the you the day before. Making sure that each day YOU are the comparison and the benchmark and as for other accounts and people use them as inspiration, motivation, encouragement and creativity.

Theodore Roosevelt is often credited with saying “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I say, bring back the JOY of comparison.