How Social Media Fuels Perfectionism

For most people, social media is simply a part of everyday life. You probably look at platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at least once a day, if not more. Millions of people across the country use social media to share aspects of their lives. It’s a great way to keep up with family members and friends, and share what’s going on in your own world, too. 

However, social media has its faults. One of its biggest criticisms over the years is how it fuels perfectionism. Striving for perfection and believing the grass is somehow greener on the other side is nothing new. But has social media made it worse?

A Glimpse Into Everyday Life

Social media is nothing more than a highlight reel of people’s lives. Think about what happens when you post a picture on Instagram. How many pictures did you actually take before you found one you liked? Did you add any filters or edit it? What happened in “real life” before and after you took the photo? 

No one knows those things except you. Yet, we tend to forget those things when we’re looking at pictures, videos, and posts from other people. 

People aren’t going to share things on social media that somehow paint them in a bad light or make their lives look less than perfect. It’s important to take anything you see on social media with a grain of salt because it’s typically now showing the full picture. 

The Envy Issue

Unfortunately, because social media is so popular and people post “perfect” lives so often, it’s very easy to feel envious or jealous. If you see a friend posting vacation pictures or a family member with a nicer house than yours, it can cause you to feel down on yourself. You might feel inadequate or wonder what you should be doing differently.

That kind of envy and jealousy can quickly lead to perfectionism. Even if things are already great in your life, you might start to feel like you have to do even better than the people you’re seeing on your screen in order to be happy and fulfilled. 

A Picture of Perfection

It’s important to remember that much of what’s posted on social media isn’t entirely real. It’s either been staged, filtered, or “caught” at the right moment without giving full context. 

If you’re trying to live up to the perfect pictures and posts you see on Facebook, it’s a fruitless mission. You might be able to post something that appears just as “perfect” as everyone else, but that doesn’t mean your real life will feel the same way. 

Additionally, your desire for perfection online can lead to an unhealthy obsession with recognition and approval—even from people you’ve never met. 

How to Fight Back Against Perfectionism

Whether you consider yourself a perfectionist or not, social media can be a serious trigger. If you find that spending your time scrolling leaves you feeling unhappy with your life or makes you feel like you need to do more, it could be time to undergo a digital detox. 

Consider stepping away from social media for a while. Or, limit the amount of time you spend on it each day. Instead of comparing yourself to whatever you see on your favorite apps, focus on being the best you can be and setting realistic standards for yourself and your life. You’ll end up feeling much more fulfilled and satisfied, and you won’t burn out striving for something that’s unattainable. 

Social media is here to stay. It’s okay to enjoy it as a part of your life. But don’t let it change the way you view yourself or dictate who you think you should be. 

If you are ready to learn more about anxiety therapy and how it can help your perfectionism, don’t hesitate to reach out.