It is so easy, especially in today’s connected world, to compare ourselves and our lives to other people. Social media can make us feel as though we aren’t being productive enough with our lives or that we aren’t living up to the beauty standards set by society. These platforms suck us in, and even I can admit that I’m addicted to my social media apps. One app in particular that’s been making a huge impact on Millennials and Gen Z is TikTok.
TikTok is a platform where literally anyone can create and post videos with a chance of getting the spotlight. It is filled with lots of positive content, but there is also some really unhealthy and unrealistic content out there as well. For example, I came across a video a few days ago of a girl who looked to be no more than 12 years old comparing herself and her body image to the famous influencers that are all over the app. It was extremely upsetting to see someone so young thinking about the ways in which she isn’t good enough.There is also a recent trend to make a “what I eat in a day” video where a person videos everything that they eat in one day. Some people have made videos where they barely eat, causing others to feel insecure about their eating habits. These videos are unrealistic and can contribute to the start of an eating disorder.
It is easy to look at other girls online with the perfect body and perfect hair and a seemingly perfect life and look down on our own, but it is important to understand that they are only posting the best parts of their lives. They aren’t sunbathing in Hawaii or looking like they just got finished with a photoshoot every moment of their lives. The same goes for social media apps like Instagram, where people are constantly posting pictures of themselves having a great time with their friends. It can be very isolating for people who only have a small group of friends or have social anxiety. I always have to remind myself that these people are only putting out the best moments in their lives.
With all of this being said, the most important thing to remember is to be mindful. Remember that not everything is how it may seem, and that these people are not showing themselves doing normal everyday things like rolling out of bed in the morning or binge watching a TV show in the middle of the night. We must be mindful of comparing ourselves to others because at the end of the day, we can only be ourselves.