Our Confidence Depends on Social Media

Written December 2019

Of course I hate to admit it, but social media has shaped my concept of beauty, and I’m sure it has shaped yours, too. I am, for better or worse, constantly viewing images and videos posted online by just about anyone. Oftentimes it’s my peers, sometimes it’s celebrities, and once in a while it’s distant acquaintances- a friend of a friend. As a result, social media and body image have become inextricably linked- the way I perceive my own physical appearance is deeply affected by the posts that I consume. 

     When I’m feeling lazy, I find myself going onto Instagram or TikTok to let myself mindlessly scroll. Instead, I often become enthralled in other’s lifestyles, goals, and looks. Whether a celebrity or that friend of a friend, it becomes an easy task to begin comparisons. Social media is known for doing just this: in popular body positivity campaigns and even in our own health classes, the negative comparisons coming from our socials are heavily discussed. 

     Becoming involved in the way someone else looks or goes about their day immediately presents the opportunity for us to compare ourselves to them, especially if they have or don’t have a certain attribute that we feel insecure about. The best thing that you could do, in my opinion, when you’re feeling less than confident because of your own comparisons, is take a step back from the scrolling. Even if you feel like there is no correlation, try to think about doing something a bit more energy-inducing or brain-stimulating. It can only help. 

     There’s also the option to unfollow those whose profiles cause you to find yourself feeling negatively towards your own life or image.  Even though you don’t want to admit it, or may feel awkward unfollowing without a “better” reason, there’s nothing wrong with facing a toxic way in which you’re putting yourself down and trying to prevent it. 

     Social media influences how we look at ourselves both positively and negatively, and it’s important that we understand the effects in order to limit their impact on our mental health.