Life is A Scrollercoaster: How To Thrive in The Social Media Era
Can we retrieve a sense of spontaneity and self-fulfilment at a time when almost everything is packaged into curated content?
Not everything is content – except it is. After years of bottomless scrolling through shifting algorithms of picture-perfect lifestyles, social media has instinctively become the virtual standard for real-life success. Our cyber-bred brains are now wired to consume first and create second. In more ways than one, this twisted content loop we are caught in has taken its toll on our well-being, and is ultimately alienating us from our true selves.
Glorifying the Algorithm
Content consumption takes on a whole new level in our part of the world. Out of all regions, social media users in the Middle East tend to spend the most time on social networks according to research by the New Media Academy. They are also present across several platforms, with an average of 8.4 social media accounts per person. In cosmopolitan, content-savvy markets like the UAE, that average can go up to 10.5 accounts per user, which counts among the highest globally, based on information reported by GWI, a data research platform.
Besides having multiple accounts, Saudis spend an average of three hours and 24 minutes a day on social media according to the digital creative agency, We Are Social. This, of course, does not account for the total time spent on the internet, which exceeds eight hours on average. From keeping up with celebrities and influencers on Instagram to jumping on the latest viral trend on TikTok, the screen race is always on.
While social media is not void of benefits and discoveries, the constant stream of embellished content it feeds us often skews our perception, leading to inflated expectations. We unconsciously find ourselves comparing, contrasting and competing. And this, in turn, pushes us to hyper-function, which drains our energy and affects both our mental health and productivity.
As soon as a trend blows up, a new one manages to steal the spotlight. The first ones to jump on the bandwagon get the views while the rest of us end up falling behind in our aimless attempts to catch up. So before we run ourselves into the ground, is it time to stop and ask if running around the matrix is even worth it?
Curate vs. Create
Our social media profiles give us an illusion of being in control. But in reality, we are little more than slaves to the algorithm, which vows to inspire us but ends up more often than not dictating our creativity. Even the little pleasures of life slowly start to fade away after countless attempts to frame the perfect shot, film the neatest reel or find the right caption.
Every little detail of our lives is carefully curated nowadays, from disappearing stories down to ‘candid’ photo dumps. Instead of allowing our minds free rein to wander and create, we are consumed in a monstrous desire to curate. You may wonder what the difference between the two is. The answer is pretty simple: creativity breaks through the barriers of imagination while curation sets imaginary boundaries for creativity.
Instead of creating something you like, you end up tweaking what you like to fit what people seem to like at any given moment. The best way to counter this lingering urge is to reconsider your comparisons and understand your particularity. Your journey is unique to you alone and how you express it is entirely up to you. Whether others connect with it or not, it does not decrease its value.
If your social media circle has settled into the habit of over-sharing or blowing every small achievement out of proportion, this does not mean you should feel pressured to do the same. Not everyone is your niche either. Focus on healthy interactions that foster inspiration and self-expression and let go of the constant urge to frame your life appealingly to the internet.
Vying for Viral
We now live in a world where people, and brands, will do anything to go viral. As a matter of fact, there are countless articles online that teach you how to create viral content. And all of them, to an extent, are lying. There is no secret recipe to make it online. You may have all the right ingredients in the mix and still, never make it. Even if you do make it, chances are your content dropped at the right time on the right platform as opposed to it being ‘better’ than other content out there.
The thing about virality is that it does not last forever. It is not only rare but also quite fleeting. Out of the very small percentage of popular content that goes viral, the vast majority of it is forgotten as soon as the next big thing emerges. Precious life moments, on the other hand, last forever. In many ways, parcelling them into content bits interrupts their flow and dulls their spark.
Content should be much more than a vain quest for virality. And life is much more than content. Be conscious about drawing the line between private and public. If you are not a creator by profession, there is absolutely no reason to drag yourself and those around you into a content spiral at every turn of a corner. Make sure your moments are yours, before being anyone else’s social media fodder.
Remember that what you see as you scroll on your smartphone is more of an exaggeration of people’s average moments than a recollection of their best ones. No one is online to share their failures or highlight their shortcomings. Even when people do share their struggles on social media, it is often through the filtered lens of contentification as opposed to the in-the-moment tinge of genuineness.
Disconnecting to Connect
The next time you are going to wait for the perfect picture before digging into your plate or try out 50 poses to showcase your latest outfit, ask yourself: Who am I doing this for? What added value does it bring into my life? The answer to such questions can help you assess your actions and reconsider your content-first reflexes.
Sadly it is very difficult to unlearn deeply engrained social media habits. Just like connecting with new people in the cyber-realm can make us self-conscious, so does disconnecting from them. Setting your own rhythm and priorities with regard to social media consumption may take a while to settle into, but it is ultimately the best way to shield your self-perception and cultivate your sense of identity.
Ultimately the one person you are truly looking to connect with first and foremost is yourself. Endless social media scrolling, daily and for extended periods of time, fills your mind with clutter, thereby taking up the space and time needed for self-reflection and creativity. Social media currency is a very fickle commodity and the more crowded the landscape gets, the more being part of it drops in value. Don’t let the Scrollercoaster define your life.
Illustration: Oscar Yáñez. Photos: Shutterstock, Freestockcenter, Social Media.
From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia April 2023 issue