RANT: Why does social media require so much effort?

24 May 2018, Thursday

Talking to my friends in person takes less time. Why does something so instant and easily accessible require so much thought and concern?

This is a recurring issue. I hate posting on Instagram because I either can't come up with a decent caption, have to edit my photos so they're all "aesthetically consistent " with my feed, or take too long deliberating which pictures (out of the 1,000+ photos I took) are worthy enough to showcase to the world – all of this drains me to the point that I just DON'T want to share anything at all.

Heck, I haven't uploaded pictures on Facebook (in years) because it not only takes too long to upload everything, but also requires psychological energy and capacity to look through all of the photos and purposefully curate which parts of my life are "worthy" enough to present to others. (Some may disagree, but hear me out.)

From this perspective, I am urged to think often about which parts of my life will be well-received by others, and not so well-received by others.

With such a concern in mind, does it not ease one to believe that they are living for the sake of others' approval?

Perhaps, the positive side of this way of thinking is the continuous exercise of empathy and consideration for others' needs, wants, and expectations.

However, there is a line that must be drawn: social media is a powerful tool that allows for one to "create" or "engineer" a character or persona to their liking, but it is limited in that it cannot fully present the successes or imperfections that compose the human behind the screen.

I guess that's why it's a tool, lol. But it can be so much better. (I don't have a specific answer as to how social media can be better, but I believe there is potential.)

After thinking about it, I don't think it's sustainable for me (as a person) to feel pressured to maintain an image that is always appealing or "trendy" to the common eye. Perhaps I am being countercultural, but I just don't want my personage to be diluted by the filter of others' standards and opinions. 

Though the intention of social media was to "connect the world" or "bring people together," it's quite ironic how it has also become an outlet for us to be ostensibly fake in front of our peers and present ourselves a differently to the world than who we are in person.

Okay, this was a long AF rant, but long story short, I don't want to feel guilty anymore for not posting frequently or not always making "aesthetic" posts.

Cut the BS and just let me live my life unfiltered.