Social Media: It's Basically All Highlights

As we go through the exciting holidays, there is no shortage of photos, snapchats, and videos about the festive season. Friends and family are united wonderfully to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, and for some, Kwanzaa. Bright lights, ice-skating, and delicious food appear endlessly on our newsfeed.

Alas, a close friend of mine was not in such high spirits. He said:

'My Facebook feed is filled with pictures of people going ice skating. I constantly watch stories on snapchat of friends walking through London in awe of its extraordinary decorations. I wish I could spend more time doing such lively activities.'

Of course, my friend had simply chosen to devote less of time to getting into the festive spirit. He later posted photos of the Christmas tree he had decorated with his family and updated his snapchat story when he went to Winter Wonderland. Problem solved. 

But underlying his frustration is an important realisation, worthy of our consideration:

That social media basically consists of highlights

The mistake that we (myself included) so often make when scrolling through our newsfeed is that we view its contents as accurately portraying the lives of our friends and family. This is simply false. 

Since the vast majority, if not all, of the content is filled with exciting and astonishing activities, such as visits abroad, parties, and notable feats, we are fooled into thinking that most people are enjoying a happy, first class experience, almost all the time. 

This often means that some of us, such as my friend, feel worse about their own experiences relative to those of others.

There is no reason to feel this way

The content on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and even LinkedIn mostly describes the highlights or pinnacle points in someone's life. This also explains the popularity of these platforms; they provide a medium through which we can communicate our high points. 

We are driven to share our successes and achievements. I certainly do so: for example, after devoting myself to a rigorous body training and diet regime over the summer, I shared pictures from my photoshoot. 

Moreover, we are justified in doing so, both for personal gratification and for wishing to share our travels, cuisines, and achievements with our peers.

However, as participants in the rollercoaster ride that so deeply exemplifies the social media experience, we must recognise that the pictures and videos we see are only part of the picture. These reveal only a glimpse into someone's life. 

Consider Emily Skye, a famous fitness model, who constantly uploads beautiful pictures of herself and also openly speaks about her struggles and encourages others to do the same:
https://www.facebook.com/emilyskyemodel/photos/a.635817043116523.1073741825.147170835314482/840282596003299/?type=1&theater

In reality, we all experience some degree of suffering, disappointment, and unhappiness from time to time. This is what makes our special moments that much more memorable and important to us. 

While we might feel less compelled to publicly share our darker days, it is in our interests to tackle such challenging times with energy, hope, and a smile, knowing that they are only temporary.

More importantly, whenever social media serves to further strengthen the apparent contrast between our current difficult stage and the upbeat experience of others, we must realise that matters are not as bad as they seem, for precisely the reasons mentioned. 

Remember, social media is basically all highlights; it does NOT provide the complete picture.