Am I alone in this? I know I have insecurities, but I consider myself a somewhat confident person, I have been successful in areas of my life, and am a generally happy person, so I wonder why I feel like FB can be so "competitive". I have had moments where I wonder if I would be a more sound person if I simple deleted my Facebook account, but I can't get myself to do it, all the pictures and clips that I have downloaded to my profile are like a little scrapbook of the last 5 years of my life, and I don't want to loose those things.
I can't count myself out, there have been things that I post simply to get the response of others to tell me how great I am or that the thing I have done is so awesome.
I guess as I am thinking all this through that I realize that everyone needs validation and acceptance, and although some may take it to an extreme I kinda think it is good for us to see others success and be happy for them, give them encouragement, and help them continue in their success. Have we as a society lost our ability to be happy for people who have more than we do? Do we try to prop ourselves up so that we appear to have more than we do to make others jealous? These are things I have been thinking about. What are your opinions?
6 comments:
I TOTALLY understand what you mean although I think I see it more in the blog world personally. It's so easy to edit out the bad stuff and only post the above average things. I like FB for being able to catch up and keep up with old friends that I wouldn't normally talk to, but it is interesting how 'competitive' it can seem. "look at my vacation, clothes, kids, house, etc" Its exhausting, but I'll admit sometimes I do it for the validation too.
Well it's not just facebook...it's blogging and social media in general that can bring those same feelings. But our true friends and family we'll always be happy for their successes. And I tell myself that someone is always going to be better at something I do or like, so I'll just try my best in whatever it is I'm pursuing and watch that other person to see how I can do it better. And you my friend, have a lot of things you do well.
I have deleted a few fb friends and stopped reading some blogs for that reason. I didn't feel as good as them, and when I stepped back, I knew they weren't real friends anyway so I didn't need to know how rich and better off they were than me. So in order to raise my own self esteem, I choose not to read what some others are doing better than me, I guess!
Lisa I totally understand!!
I guess I have never really viewed blogs or facebook that way. I guess I am the black sheep! I don't think people's intentions of posting things are to "rub it in our faces." They want people to be happy for them for whatever blessing it is that they have received. Some people I am sure have tendencies to brag a little, but I take it as a grain of salt and move on with my life. I find it is easier to get upset when people compare themselves to everybody else. Especially when comparing to "things of the world" you will never be good enough, but when comparing yourself to how you are in the gospel, and a daughter of God, you will always be good enough. :) You are great, Renee! Never forget that!
Joy I agree we should be happy for others successes, usually I am pretty good about doing that, but sometimes I find jealousy sneaks its way into my thoughts and feelings.
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