What is Social Media Fatigue? Social media fatigue refers to the increasing exhaustion of social media users in relation to social media. As a result, they withdraw from social networks, reduce the time they spend on them, or change their usage behavior.
Especially in the current times, social media tires me (social media fatigue), because everything we post seems to be meaningless in terms of all the challenges that lie ahead (keywords: climate change, war, equality, etc.).
I wonder how much longer we will want to replace our individual life architecture with an “Instagram life” fabricated in detail.
I am amazed at how some people understand the term “authenticity.” Is it even possible to be “authentic” if the idea, the composition of the image, the follow-up and planned publication follow a homogenized composition?
Sometimes, it seems to me, we pour our lives into a uniform social media mold, so I can certainly understand why some wonder:
How do I still recognize the face behind the selfie?
Self-staging here follows the search for social recognition. What’s the latest trend? What pose makes me look advantageous? Which business story is doing particularly well right now?
Social media suggests to us with its living advertising banners and through a colported self-portrait of our supposed role models that we should make something special out of today as well as every other day. However, the question that is raised between the lines here is: Is my life enough at all?
Of course, this question remains unanswered, because our virtual “friends” have only toxic positivity for us.
The statement of the French Baron de Montesquieu acts as an eye-opener here:
You don’t just want to be happy, you want to be happier than the others. And that’s so hard because we think others are happier than they are.
So instead of accepting who we really are and that life holds both shadow and light for us, we stroll along the broken and potholed roads of our soul. In this, we are guided in good faith by the categorical imperative of our time, which is, “Follow your Purpose.”
What remains is an intrapsychic conflict. We want to appear confident and competent, but see control slipping through our fingers and would like to sincerely ask someone for help.
I can almost hear the sighing at this point, because we are all sick of this constructed illusory reality and yet we continue to move to the rhythm of this flitting merry-go-round, knowing full well that we can be thrown off at any moment.
And now?
Authenticity, powerlessness and toxic algorithms
We are not powerless. No matter what situation or challenge we face, we have the opportunity to decide how to handle it. We don’t have to follow the narrative that we can’t change anything and at the same time we can be aware that the earth continues to turn without us. It is a balancing act that is renegotiated within us every day. I don’t want to dwell on generalities here, but briefly outline my journey as well as my behavior regarding social media fatigue, toxic algorithms, and digital loneliness.
How can we deal with social media fatigue?
Knowledge
Your life is not “Instagrammable.” Don’t even try to live up to the uniform standard. Heterogeneity and distinctiveness do not come from collecting likes. Don’t focus on the 99% who don’t know you, focus on the 1% you care about.
Withdrawal
I never tire of passing this tip along – Block out fixed social media slots. These can be customized, but should not exceed a certain time frame (e.g. one hour) (unless you are an influencer). We lose ourselves so quickly in this endless world of glitter, but the lost time in which we revel in admiration for others and long for a “better” life is never returned to us.
Decision
It sounds trite, but live your dreams. No one has ever achieved anything in his life by dreaming the dreams of others. Overcome the above narrative so you don’t fall into the homogenization trap of looking for the beach, the ocean, and a laptop on your lap. Your dream may be someone else’s, only you have the answer to the question, “What do I want to get up for in the morning?”
Personal responsibility
It would be so easy to end this text on a somber note and indulge in a sobering view of the world. Correct: It would be too easy. Our consciousness and our reflected decision-making ability differentiate us from all living beings on this earth. We are not “to blame” for everything, nor is our mindset too weak when things go wrong or we stumble. However, even though we cannot influence some events in our lives because they are directed by external circumstances, we have the sovereignty to decide how to deal with them. We can question, grieve, be angry. We can ask people for help, get professional support, or let go when the situation calls for it.
We would be amazed at how limitless our possibilities are if we dare to step out of our societal mold. We just have to dare to take responsibility for ourselves, because we can only ever change ourselves, not the others and sometimes not even the external circumstances.
Maybe after reading this article you are angry, irritated or opposite to this, even full of cheerfulness and lightness?
I don’t know and I don’t like to judge, but I’m glad when we get to talk. Let’s dust off some of the glitter of the social media world, because no beautiful selfie can replace a friendly and sincere exchange, I maintain.
About the author
Kinga Bartczak advises, coaches and writes on female empowerment, new work culture, organizational development, systemic coaching and personal branding. She is also the managing director of UnternehmerRebellen GmbH and publisher of the FemalExperts magazine .
