It’s no secret that social media can be tough on your self-esteem. You see all these perfect lives and think, “Why can’t I have that?” But the thing is, those people aren’t really living perfect lives. They’re just putting their best foot forward on social media while hiding the rest. So if you’re finding yourself feeling down about your own life after scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, here’s what you need to do for a quick reality check.
Curate Your Feed — and Don’t Click the Ads!
One of the best ways to make social work for you is to curate your feed. To do that, you have to teach the social media algorithms what it should show you more of. How do you teach an algorithm? Simple! The algorithm wants to show you content you’ll consume, so it’s all about being intentional with what you pay attention to.
Take 30 minutes or so a week to actively engage with accounts that make you feel great. “Like” or comment on every post you see that lifts you up, and quickly scroll by the ones that make you feel less than or that bring you down.
For inspiration, check out our list of 3 positive influencers you need in your feed.
Above all, don’t click the ads that play into your insecurities or anything that makes you feel anxious! If you see a product you’re interested in learning more about, or even a post on a hot-button issue that you’re intrigued by, take your research off of social media. Use a private window like Chrome’s Incognito Window to Google the subject if you want to learn more; that way, you can still learn about the product or topic, but you’re not giving the algorithm any insight into the topics that trigger you.
Be Filter Aware by Trying Them On
Instagram filters have become so real looking that it’s almost impossible for our brains to register the fact that the person in the video likely looks nothing like what you’re seeing. Hours of scrolling through Reels and TikTok showing women and girls with perfect faces can take a toll on anyone’s self-esteem, even if you know it’s not real.
When you’re scrolling through Reels on Instagram and you find yourself thinking “I wish I looked like her,” look for the filter tag. It’s usually in the bottom left of the screen. Click that tag and tap the option to try on the filter. You’ll see just how much your face changes! Remember, the filter is doing the same exact thing to the person whose Reel you just watched.
By being aware of filters, and trying them on to see how drastic they really are can give your self-esteem a much-needed dose of reality.
Take a Break from Social
The thing about social media is that it’s designed to be addictive. For some people, that’s not a big deal. But if you find yourself getting lost in the scroll for hours at a time, or if you start to feel anxious when you’re away from your phone, then you might want to try out some tools to help keep you off of social for a bit.
Most phones come with built-in screen time management features that will limit how much time you can spend on each app. If yours doesn’t, there are plenty of free and low-cost options available in your app store.
In addition to limiting your overall screen time, consider using an app like Freedom (specifically the “Off Social” filter) to block access to all social media.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to remember that social media is just a tiny slice of the pie when it comes to your life. Don’t compare your whole life to someone else’s highlight reel. Be intentional about what you consume, take breaks when you need them, and always be filter aware!
