Perfectionism: How to Break Free from Social Media's Influence
It would take a long series of posts to cover the full breadth of social media’s influence. But many of those impacts grow out of the increasing role perfectionism plays in our online lives. When anyone scrolls their news feed, they are confronted with highlight reels. People tend to curate their profiles to give certain impressions. There are kernels of accuracy in those impressions but they are wrapped in filters, cropping, and careful editing.
Considering how much each of us allocates to our devices, that’s a whole of pressure. Why does everyone else seem to have it all figured out and how can I keep up? Next stop: perfectionism.
Social Media, Perfectionism, and Mental Health
Thanks to digital technology, everyone can look thinner, wealthier, happier, and younger. What’s not visible in those photos or witty posts is reality. When someone shares an image with their partner, you don’t get to see the fight they had minutes before the photo was taken. You can’t tune into their minds as they worry about money, their relationship, or World War III. False images like this are unhealthy because they leave no room for growth, learning, and yes… mistakes.
Perfectionism enters the picture in two ways. Firstly, of course, you feel ashamed to not have your act together like “everyone else.” But also, social media users can become more obsessed with the illusion of perfection than anything that’s going on in their real lives. All-or-nothing thinking rules the day. To not get likes and shares is a failure.
What once felt like a fun way to stay in touch with others has morphed into a covert competition and the mental toll is well-documented. Particularly with younger generations, social media often has a measurably negative impact on users’ mental health.
How to Break Free from Social Media's Influence
Let’s first clarify that social media is not all bad. However, unless it is used intentionally, it can quickly consume your life in a very counterproductive way. With that in mind:
Don’t Take Social Media Lightly
Everyone is certain that they are the exception. They’re the ones who can resist the algorithms and serotonin boosts. There’s no shame in admitting that you’re susceptible to a technology specifically designed to manipulate you. In other words, set your intentions when you enter this online portal. If you leave things to chance, you’ll almost certainly
Risk Imperfection
Online and in real life, set the intention to enjoy an experience regardless of the perceived outcome. For example:
Try doing things that you’ve never tried — knowing full well you won’t immediately be good at it.
Post photos without deceptive cropping and filters.
Even better, have fun experiences without feeling the need to document them online.
Take Tech Breaks
Uninstall apps from your phone to make it harder to use them habitually.
If certain people’s posts trigger anxiety and/or perfectionism, unfollow them.
Turn off notification sounds so you don’t find yourself fixated on counting metrics.
Make yourself away when you’re doom scrolling and stop yourself from obsessing over negative stories and images.
Schedule periodic tech breaks throughout your day and get outside.
When you get the urge to scroll do something else instead — like walking or stretching.
When the Pull Is Too Strong
Perfection, phone addiction, and anxiety are all big challenges. You don’t have to go it alone. With the help of a skilled therapist, you can make positive progress on all three fronts and reclaim your life. If you need help finding the right tech balance for you, I invite you to reach out and talk. Let’s get you on a healthy path again through anxiety treatment.