Social media has slowly become a part of our everyday lives. I find myself often reaching for my phone whenever I’m in need of entertainment or if I’m seeking out a serotonin boost. However, more recently than not, I find that my time scrolling has left me feeling more lethargic and pessimistic about life instead of refreshed and inspired. Somehow, what I thought was a perfectly curated feed has turned into a world of negativity.
I noticed the shift after watching a productivity vlog from one of my favorite creators. Usually, the comments are full of support and compliments; however, this time, it was full of spiteful hate comments about how her routine was “unrealistic.” While I agree that waking up at six a.m. isn’t feasible for every lifestyle, I also found it weird that people were dragging someone down for trying to better their lifestyle.
I didn’t just see this trend on productivity vlogs. I saw it spill into every corner of the internet: apartment tours, pet videos, and lifestyle content. No matter what, someone was there to offer unwarranted criticism. It didn’t take long for me to realize how inherently negative the internet truly is, and more importantly, how it was affecting my mood. Slowly, I began anticipating negativity whenever I saw someone experiencing joy. I could feel myself being dragged down by strangers online, and I could feel myself getting more irritable by the day.
I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I had a really busy weekend away from my phone. Instead of spending hours swiping on devices, I was spending hours socializing with friends. I realized that judgment and pessimism weren’t the standard. In fact, we spent more time talking and doing things that fulfilled our souls instead of talking about others. When I returned to my habitual scrolling, that dopamine wasn’t there anymore. I began to crave reality, not my “perfectly curated feed.”
People will always find something to hate on. It’s easy to fall into that trap of thinking that a certain genre, trend, or person is annoying, especially if others on the internet feel the exact same way. It gives that sense of community, albeit a cynical one. However, I’ve noticed that agreeing mindlessly with what a crowd thinks has caused my own mood to drop and made me feel less sure of myself and my interests.
I’ve since realized how social media is inherently negative. Making an audience upset increases engagement, and it’s easier for hateful people to hide behind a screen. Yet, real life isn’t nearly as draining, and real people are nowhere near the same as the faceless profiles spewing hate online.
I haven’t stopped using social media. I love a nightly scroll as much as the next person. I have, however, adjusted how I use social media. For example, I always come to my own opinions about a topic or video before opening the comments, and if I find an adverse video, I quickly move on. I follow cheerful creators who talk about life with radiance, and I try to limit my screen time and spend more time offline. Social media may foster a negative environment, but you have the power to change your reaction to that. Protect your peace, and embrace positivity. It’s a worthwhile environment.
