Sometimes, if you see too much… you start to feel like you’re not doing enough.
Now, I could be wrong about this thought, but I don’t usually find myself being wrong often. Not when it comes to things that live under the surface. And of course, I’m going to use good old social media to make my point, because it’s the clearest mirror we have to our collective programming.
Over the last decade or so, I’ve watched how social media has reshaped the way we see ourselves and each other. And truthfully, the shift has been subtle but dangerous.
Remember when they used to call them “friends”?
Yeah, friends.
Back then, we were proud to post, comment, admire, connect. There was a rawness to it. A charm. A sense of actual community. People showed up as individuals, quirky and bold, and we celebrated that. It was real enough to feel personal.
But then came the followers.
Now, it’s “followers” instead of friends. Just that one word flip, friend to follower, and everything changed.
With followers came hierarchy. Ego. Clout chasing.
Suddenly, everyone’s too important to like, too cool to comment, too famous in their own head to follow back. It’s less about connection and more about performance. Less individuality, more algorithm, approved mimicry.
And here’s the kicker: we’re not even doing this consciously. We’re being programmed. Told what to like, what to wear, how to talk, and even how to dream, all in the name of being seen.
So tell me, how does any of that make sense?
It doesn’t. But that’s not the point.
The point is this: sometimes, if you see too much… you start to feel like you’re not enough.
You start comparing.
You start questioning.
You start shrinking.
All from a scroll.
You start thinking, “Damn… maybe I’m not doing enough.” And without realizing it, you start disconnecting from your reality, drowning in an invisible competition you didn’t sign up for.
That’s internal comparison. That’s stagnation. And it’s more common than most people will ever admit.
Especially if you haven’t come to terms with the fact that most of what you’re seeing online is a highlight reel. A carefully curated, over-filtered, half-truth version of life. And if you don’t find a way to balance how much “internet” you consume, it’ll start consuming you.
You’ll feel like you’re behind.
You’ll think you’re not moving fast enough.
You’ll doubt the value of your own steps.
So if any of that hits home for you, and you want to do better, feel better, let me offer a few things that have helped me and might help you too.
Here’s what I do:
1. Turn. Off. All. Notifications.
Yeah, every single one. From inside the apps.
The goal is to check your notifications when you go into the app, not let the app check you.
Big difference.
2. Create Check-In Times.
I check social media three times a day:
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Each check has a purpose.
Maybe it’s replying to messages.
Maybe it’s posting or scheduling content.
Maybe it’s just to scroll and catch up.
But here’s the rule: only one purpose per check-in.
Don’t try to do it all at once. This isn’t a job, you’re in control, not the feed.
3. Match Your Time with Real Life.
If I spend 20 minutes on social media, I give myself another 20 minutes doing something just for me. Could be a walk, a journal session, editing a video, draw, something tangible.
That one swap changed everything for me.
What I’ve found is that when you apply this kind of discipline, your mental health gets better. Your awareness sharpens. You stop living in the highlight reel of others and start appreciating your own timeline, in real time.
You begin to realize that the internet isn’t real. You can’t touch it. You can’t hold it. It’s not tangible. And if it’s not tangible, it’s not real. Sit with that.
This post isn’t some grand solution.
It’s just a reminder, to go easier on yourself.
To take your power back from the algorithm.
To stop comparing your life to a curated feed.
Because what mostly smiles online, often cries offline.
Trust me…I know.
I hope this helps.
– B.
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