Hey everyone! While many of us are worried about a recent change in our president, there is another issue that is just as, if not more, concerning. That issue is social media. The truth is that social media is an epidemic, and chances are it's ruining your life. Here's why:

I think it's funny how we create this image of ourselves on social media when, in reality, people are so much different than their Instagram feed suggests. We don't always feel happy, we don't always take flawless pictures, we don't always do amazing things. Despite this, we like to have people think that we do. I'm guilty of this. I think we all are. Some of us use fake accounts to show select people what we truly think. Others simply bottle their thoughts inside, all the while trying to prove to the world how happy they really are. Everything is this picture perfect masterpiece and life always works out the way we want it to (I'm being facetious). That's what social media, especially Instagram, attempts to make a reality. Well if this was true, then why don't we post a picture everyday showing how incredible our life is? The answer: Because life isn't perfect. Life has its ups and downs and we can't help it. But depression and sadness and deep thoughts don't get likes so, instead, we stick to posting pictures of the beach or Polaroids of us and our friends. Why do we only show the good on social media? Why do we care more about likes than we do sustenance and individuality?

It stems from a basic human need for acceptance and how badly we want others to like us. We are constantly yearning for some sort of affirmation, some sort of sign that we fit in. I can rant about it all I want, but the truth is that it won't change anything because this is bigger than just a few people. It is derived from years of society forcing extroversion and telling us that anytime we are alone or sad that something is wrong with us. It's not. In fact, introversion is an important part of life and solitude is where some of life's best ideas come from. Anyone that tells you otherwise is lying or so caught up in this ruse that they've lost sight of what life is really about. Life isn't about performing. It's not about showing people a false life to bolster your self-confidence. Bo Burnham, in his comedy special "Make Happy", said “social media, it’s just the market’s answer to a generation that demanded to perform. So the market said, ‘Here, perform everything to each other, all the time, for no reason.’ It’s prison. It’s horrific. It is performer and audience melded together." We want so badly to showcase our successes, yet we don't want people to see the bad as well. There's nothing wrong with that in itself, but coupled with the constant need to compare your life with other's, the consequences can be devastating. It can, and does, lead to lower self esteem and a general sense of inadequacy.

Before finishing his show, Burnham stated, "I know very little about anything, but what I do know is that if you can live your life without an audience, you should do it.”

I could not agree more. Because of this, I've realized I don't really care about social media anymore. I care about writing, and I still care what people think about me, but I'm working on changing that. So join me in my attempt to live a happier life. I'm not saying give up social media altogether, but simply recognize the detrimental effects it can have on your life. Then use this information to live a more enjoyable and healthy life, one without a need to perpetually impress. Or disregard everything I said and continue creating this facade of a perfect life. It's your choice... I trust you'll make the right one.