SOCIAL MEDIA - a very important tool to many of us to keep in touch with the rest of the world. It has become a big part of everybody's life each and every day. The things we see in social media are indeed a great influence to many of us especially to the young minds. Young people, who sometimes become so attached to the superficial world that results to unrealistic views about life.
Minutes ago, I've read an article about a young woman who got caught in a huge debt because she tried her best to become a social media influencer. She has splurged herself in too much shopping on clothes, bags and other expensive stuff aside from her travels just to impress her followers in Instagram. According to her, she needed different OOTDs (outfit of the day) so that she'll become more credible in the life or lifestyle she wanted to portray. She has indeed made a lot of people envy her but. But with the result of her extravagance, is it worth it? A big NO.
This is the problem with many of us these days: we compromise our lives to the unrealistic standards set by the media such as:
- Our body figures have certain measurements to be called perfect regardless of the body type we have.
- We follow trends that are only good for months.
- We buy the latest gadgets to impress others - that eventually be replaced with a new model in less than a year! (I mean, some of us don't even know how to properly use those stuff!)
- We also base our relationships with what's been posted on Instagram, Facebook or anywhere else and call them #relationshipgoals - without even thinking that these are just the tip of the iceberg of what love is all about.
- We are so brainwashed that constant travelling is all good to our well-being without even considering other priorities in life.
- Lastly, we are so fixated on the fact that material things can actually bring us happiness and making people admire or envy you is a real achievement.
All false assumptions!
I'm not really judging anyone who are actually having a good life and posting it on social media. It's still their choice. These people are actually inspirational especially if they are known to be hard workers and now enjoying the fruit of their labor. The problem comes when someone is actually faking everything about his/her social status without anything to back it up. The trouble comes when you'll have to swim in debt just to post wonderful things to boost your ego. The thing is, these kinds of people are everywhere around us. In all honesty, I've known some and it breaks my heart every time I see them screwing up their lives as the result of their fake lifestyles.
But why do we lead into a poor life just to prove that we are rich? You think your life is going downhill while climbing to the top? Maybe you are doing it wrong! See, if you want to reach the highest peak in the world, you need the basic tools in life. Success is not earned overnight! If you want to become a better person, and maybe, become an influencer someday, why not do these things:
1. Pursue additional learning.
The more the knowledge, the more things to share to everyone. It is very important so that we will not limit ourselves to the bounds of popularity offered by the social media world. Knowledge is sexy! Do more stuff outside to hone your abilities and hobbies. Read books, read many articles, watch documentaries and be more sensitive about the world around you. Learning is not only about earning a degree - it's a combination of everything you've gone through in life. And also, I must admit, travelling can give you different facets about other people but again, it's the purpose of the journey that counts, not that likes and the comments in social media.
2. Save enough.
If you are working, it's better of you invest and save from your earnings. If you have enough money, maybe then you can buy and do extra for yourself. If you want to look rich, be genuinely rich - not only Instagram rich or Facebook rich. There are lots of rich people I know who are actually living a very modest life. There are so many things to learn from them.
3. Be more sociable in real life than in social media.
I mean, have actual friends who understand and accept you as what you are. Be with people who have same interests as yours. Meet 'real' people. Do some activities together and actually enjoy even without spending much. Whether you'll post it in social media or not, at least, the happiness is definitely genuine.
4. Always remember, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone.
Even though you'll try to impress everybody, it's impossible. So live the way you want - the way that you can be happy. People who actually know and love you don't need any of those stunts. Don't try to please those who dislike you - simply because it will never work all the time.
5. Know the fact: fame is temporary.
I mean, yes, you may have so many followers or fans for the wonderful things you share on social media. They may share their admiration on how you project your life to them. At the end of the day, when you log out from the platform, you still know your real self. Your fake facade can never hide the real you inside.
6. Living within your means is still the best choice.
Just buy what you can afford. If you don't need it or not going to use it, forget buying it. I know it's hard to do. We are all human and sometimes, we give in to our obsessions and likes. With too much commercialization everywhere, sometimes, we'll get tempted. However, guard yourself not to give in too much.
A life without pretense is one of the most admirable trait in the world. It deserves all the likes, the hearts, the wows and the follows. Right?
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