Let’s start with a simple question: What is normal? If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, your definition of “normal” might include a 20-year-old jet-setting to Bali one month, Paris the next, and Tokyo the month after that. It might include a skincare routine with 12 steps, a makeup collection that rivals a Sephora store, and a wardrobe that changes faster than the seasons. But here’s the truth: None of this is normal. And yet, we’ve been conditioned to believe it is.
Social media has become a masterful illusionist, pulling the wool over our eyes with its highlight reels, PR unboxings, and perfectly curated feeds. It’s time to pull back the curtain and ask: What are we really chasing? And why?
The Influence of Influencers: A Never-Ending Cycle of More
Influencers have become the modern-day pied pipers, leading us down a path of endless consumption. They promote 1,000 makeup products, 100-step skincare routines, and wardrobes that seem to regenerate overnight. But let’s be real: No one needs 10 serums, 5 foundations, and a new outfit for every day of the month. Yet, we watch their videos, scroll through their feeds, and suddenly feel the urge to buy, buy, buy. Why? Because they make it look so normal.
But here’s the thing: It’s not normal. The average person doesn’t have a closet full of designer clothes or a bathroom cabinet stocked with luxury skincare. The average person isn’t traveling to exotic locations every month or receiving PR packages daily. And yet, social media makes us feel like we’re falling behind if we’re not living this way. It’s a trap, and we’re all walking right into it.
The Hidden Costs of the Highlight Reel
What we see on social media is just that—a highlight reel. We see the expensive purchases, the glamorous trips, the flawless selfies. What we don’t see are the credit card bills, the sleepless nights, the pressure to maintain an image. We don’t see the savings accounts (or lack thereof) or the sacrifices made to keep up appearances.
Take the 20-year-old traveling the world every month. Sure, it looks amazing, but how is it funded? Is it generational wealth, sponsorships, or debt? And what happens when the sponsorships dry up or the debt becomes unmanageable? Social media doesn’t show that part. It only shows the fun, the glamour, the perfection. And that’s the problem.
The PR Gift Paradox: What Happens to All That Stuff?
Let’s talk about PR gifts. Influencers receive mountains of free products—clothing, makeup, skincare, you name it. But what happens to all that stuff? Do they use it? Do they donate it? Or does it just sit in a closet, collecting dust? The truth is, most of it is never used. It’s just content fodder, a way to keep the cycle of consumption going.
And what about us, the viewers? We see these unboxings and feel the need to buy the latest product, even if we don’t need it. We’re caught in a cycle of wanting more, even when we already have enough. It’s a paradox: The more we consume, the less satisfied we feel.
The Case for Less: Why We Don’t Need 10,000 Things
Here’s a radical idea: We don’t need 10,000 things to be happy. In fact, we might be happier with less. Think about it—when was the last time you wore that dress you bought on a whim? Or used that expensive serum that promised to transform your skin? Chances are, it’s sitting in a drawer, forgotten.
What we need are things that truly add value to our lives—things that fit our personal style, that we can wear over and over again, that make us feel good without breaking the bank. We need to break free from the cycle of consumption and focus on what really matters: quality over quantity.
How to Break Free from the Social Media Spell
So, how do we break free from the illusion of normal? Here are a few tips:
- Unfollow the Noise: If an account makes you feel inadequate or triggers the urge to buy something you don’t need, unfollow it. Curate your feed to include content that inspires and uplifts you, not content that makes you feel like you’re not enough.
- Practice Mindful Consumption: Before buying something, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Will I use it more than once? Does it align with my personal style and values? If the answer is no, put it back.
- Embrace Imperfection: Remember, social media is a highlight reel. No one’s life is perfect, no matter how it looks online. Embrace your imperfections and celebrate your real, unfiltered life.
- Focus on Experiences, Not Things: Instead of spending money on things you don’t need, invest in experiences that bring you joy. Travel, try new hobbies, spend time with loved ones—these are the things that truly enrich our lives.
A Final Thought: You Are Enough
At the end of the day, social media is just a tool. It’s up to us how we use it. We can let it dictate our self-worth, or we can use it to connect, inspire, and create. But one thing is certain: You don’t need 10,000 things to be happy. You don’t need a perfect Instagram feed or a closet full of designer clothes. You are enough, just as you are.
So, the next time you find yourself scrolling through social media, feeling the pressure to keep up, remember this: Normal is overrated. True happiness comes from within, not from the things we own or the places we go. And that’s a reminder we all need, now more than ever.
Internal Links:
External Links:
