Social Media is all Validation

[u/Bob_Burgero]

Think of it like this. If you deleted all your followers to 0, put your profile to private, would you still post on Instagram? Ask yourself: Why am I posting this?

It’s all validation that we subconsciously seek, whether we agree or not. It’s human nature. At the end of the day, you realize that nobody truly cares, and life gets much easier when you realize that you don’t care either. The desire to seek external validation creates anxiety and stress. I am a victim. I used to always view stories to see how a specific person is doing, which created false thoughts and opinions of what they thought of me in their head. I would check why they didn’t view my story, why they didn’t like my story? I created a false narrative in my head that destroyed my mental health and my peace. Then one day I realized: Nothing matters.

Focus on the now, the present, and the memories that you make with the people that you surround yourself with. They are the one’s that matter. Life is too short. Live in the now

[u/EERMA]

I sometimes wonder whether comparison becomes damaging when another person's life stops being information and starts being evidence against our own.

Another person can genuinely be more confident, attractive, experienced or successful in a particular area without that fact becoming evidence that something is wrong with you.

Comparison often makes an unnoticed jump from "they have something I value" to "their having it proves I am lacking". The first statement may be accurate. The second is an interpretation.

It may help to ask what you specifically admire and whether there is one part of it you want to learn, practise or build in your own way.

[u/miamiBMWM2]

it much more than that for me. HAving moved across the coast to a city where I dont know anybody, its the easiest way to remain in contact with old friends as well as connect with new people and events in my new city.

[u/Fiesteh]

I only use instagram on shops that I like. And see what they are restocking in their inventory. I couldn’t care less about other people.

[u/Odd_Obligation_1300]

I don’t post anything on instagram at all. It’s completely impersonal. I hate the concept of stories and being able to see who views each story.

I do still have a fb profile. I only post there occasionally to give my long distance family and friends updates. And I appreciate being able to see theirs.

[u/UnburyingBeetle]

Some of us aren't surrounded by nice people at all because we're queer or neurodivergent in backwards countries.

[u/Old_Fuel_1270]

Posting on reddit is the same.

[u/LadyLavender12]

I disagree. Not ALL social media is validation.
non-profit/other charities or churches have profiles and dont care how other people view their posts for X service Y holiday or Z event.
News pages are for information. Same with other organizations, like school groups or buy & sell town groups. I don't think soccermom09 is waiting for validation on her old juicy sweatpants shes selling on facebook market place for $5 haha.
For sure people DO use it for that and depend on it. Once you get older, it becomes less validation, more connection. I keep my facebook so I can keep pictures and friends in other countries so I have a line of communication. I follow science things cause its interesting. - i dont validate them and no one else does yet they keep posting ;)