Social Media Standpoint

Welcome back readers! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a few months. I lost a bit of my blogging mojo for a while there. Anyway, I’m back and I hope to bring you more frequent posts in the future.

So today I’m going to chat about social media. Whilst platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat can be a great way to pass the time on those boring commutes to work, they sure can play with your peace of mind, can’t they?

We all know that the majority of people only post the very best version of themselves and their lives. We know this and yet we seem to forget that little fact when we’re scrolling through looking at pictures of lavish parties, firm bodies and incredible travel destinations. Social media can be tough if your self-esteem is a little on the low side or if you’re craving something others seemingly have that you don’t. In my case, it seems that every time I open Facebook or Instagram lately there’s an engagement or pregnancy announcement. Whilst I’m super happy for these people, particularly if they’re actual real-life friends, it doesn’t stop the pang that often hits me, knowing I don’t have those things. For me, it’s these things. For others, it might be a holiday they can’t afford to go on, a wardrobe they could never imagine owning, a slim body they desperately want or a fabulous meal someone’s just cooked when you’re flat out boiling a couple of eggs. Whatever it is, there is almost always something on Instagram to make you feel like you’re missing out or not quite living up to the standard.

I’m so grateful that I’m not a teenager/young person navigating life with the ever-present social media. Even with the wisdom of age, I still have a tendency to compare myself to others. I do know better than to do that. I really do- it’s just very, very hard not to compare sometimes. It requires discipline and hard work. Am I being dramatic? Possibly, but I definitely have to consistently remind myself that social media is not real life and that more often than not I’m only seeing the brightest picture. I guess it depends on what type of person you are but I think at one time or another, we’ve probably all had our moods altered by a social media post.

Another disappointing part of social media is the games people play on it and the marketing tactics they employ to gain followers and make themselves appear more popular. Recently, a fellow Instagrammer decided to leave the platform because she was fed up with people following and unfollowing her. She’s certainly not the first person to do that. Emma was always genuine and she was a great engager. Not only did she post her own pics often, she was always commenting kindly on other people’s posts, including mine. It makes me sad that she made the decision to leave Instagram but I totally understand. To follow and unfollow someone for your own personal gain is not only childish but it’s also unkind. It happens to me constantly but I’ve stopped fretting about it. In fact, I barely look at my follower count these days. It’s simply unimportant in the general scheme of things. It does concern me though, that people are so willing to hurt others in their hunt for Instagram fame. Do they realise that nice, genuine people are being affected by their Insta games? Most likely. That’s the really sad part.

Lucky for me, I’ve never been bullied, harassed or had negative comments thrown at me on social media but it sure does happen. I’m incredulous when I hear or read the things people say to each other on these platforms. Horrible, despicable things that should never be said.

Sometimes I want to be brave and speak up about something- something I strongly believe in- but the truth is, I’m too scared. I don’t have the emotional strength to deal with the possible nastiness that may come my way. I recently heard of a women who was sent death threats because she dared to speak up about violence against women. Isn’t this simply unfathomable? She is being a good, caring person and she gets punished for it. I just do not understand this at all. I imagine these ‘keyboard warriors’, as they’re called, wouldn’t dare say the things they say directly to someone’s face. My thoughts are- if you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, then don’t type it on a phone/computer/,etc. In fact, I’m more of the opinion that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. We should all agree on that, right?

Lastly, I don’t want this post to come across as a negative rant about social media. It quite obviously has some incredibly positive aspects-

Inspiration for food, health, fashion and decorating

 A celebration of love, friendships and family

Job and money-making opportunities

Business marketing; plus a multitude of many other wonderful things

I’m simply saying that social media isn’t always roses and butterflies and I think we should occasionally step away to enjoy real life, interact with those around us and take pleasure and pride in our own lives, not necessarily the lives of others. Social media is definitely here to stay and I’m quite okay with that 🙂

Thanks for reading. Have a super fabulous day!

Lots of love, Kylie xx

• TK Maxx dress $25
• Urban Soul leopard heels $50 (on sale from Myer)
• Kmart bag $15