The Hidden Dangers of Comparing Our Lives Online

Every morning, before we even get out of bed, we scroll—or at least the majority of us do. We see perfect vacations, perfect bodies, clear skin, and smiling faces, and suddenly our own lives feel much smaller. It’s like the feeling that you get when you look at someone’s post and feel like you’re falling behind. In a world like ours, it’s extremely easy to filter and edit every moment. It’s easy to forget that what we see online isn’t the full picture. Comparing ourselves to others on social media can not only damage our self-esteem, but it also increases anxiety and makes us forget to appreciate our own reality. 

Social media was meant to connect, but often it turns into a competition. We often see the best parts of other people’s lives, their achievements, travels, and relationships, while they hide their own imperfections. People naturally compare themselves to others, but social media amplifies it. One study found that 93% of young people compare themselves and their lifestyles to others on social media platforms. This becomes a grave issue because people online tend to post highlights only rather than real struggles. This means that people don’t post about things that cause them a difficult time because societal standards make not being okay a weakness. This is related to 76% of adults who believe that other people present themselves as happier, more attractive, and more successful on social media than they actually are. Not only that, but as technology advances, algorithms can push us to see “better” lives more consistently, which plants a seed of doubt on the direction of our lives. This constant exposure makes us feel like we’re not doing enough, even when we are.

When we measure our worth by likes and followers, we lose touch with who we really are. The constant comparison alongside studies shows that heavy social media use is linked to depression and low self-esteem. Comparison impacts one's confidence, whether that be feeling bad because you’re not as far in life as someone else or because you don’t feel as pretty as someone you see on social media. When people compare their lives online and feel “less than,” that can feed into self-esteem issues, which in turn raises the risk for anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. According to BioMed Central, individuals with low self-esteem are more likely to experience social anxiety and avoidance. A study found that social distress partly moderates the link between low self-esteem and social avoidance. This idea can make people chase approval instead of authenticity. Therefore, it’s important to balance social media use to reduce the potential effects that it can cause. Overall, the more we compare, the less we celebrate our own small victories.

In conclusion, it’s important to remind ourselves that no one’s life is as perfect as it looks online. Real happiness doesn’t come from validation; rather, it comes from connection, gratitude, and self-acceptance. Instead of comparing, a good habit to get into is to learn to appreciate both our own journey and others’ without turning it into a battle of success.

(Dreamstime)