Is There Any Value in “Faking It” in Social Media?

Social media is definitely not a realistic picture of our lives, and unless you’re brave, it’s unlikely we’re posting selfies when we have a huge spine, or tweeting when we’re a little stressed watching television. If it’s not an elegant, monochromatic, triple-filtered selfie then it will not be tapping into most people’s feeds.

Some of us do not want to show what we spend every day, especially mental health, anxiety and depression. It makes us not show what we feel, what we do to overcome the obstacles every day and weeks. Unless we have experience of anxiety and depression, it can be very difficult to understand to what extent it affects your life.

Is there an element of ‘fake it’ until we do it ‘happening to our social media selves? Putting a more carefree version of yourself online runs and makeswe feel happier overall?

It is difficult to judge and it probably comes down to the individual. There are lots of people giving advice like “We do not need photos, just be happier”. For people living with depression and anxiety, it is not as simple as just “being happier”. It’s not that they are being lazy and with a little effort we could be a ray of sunshine. In fact, when we are having a depressive episode, the very concept of “effort” is impossible. Some days getting out of bed seems like a mammoth task, both mentally and physically.

We’re not saying that posting some smileys on Instagram will have a magic cure, but it’s interesting that for some people to build a social profile of the person we’d like to be can really be a framework on which to build a new ‘normal’ . Not one that lasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or change the person we are on the inside but who is forming a positive habit that can help some people put their mindset into one that makes them happier.

What we are saying here is that there is a new angle in social media that we had not previously considered. While it is quite inevitable that our online lives are a highly edited version of ourselves, we have always come to the conclusion that actively portraying a “false” version of your life is a bad thing to do. However, for some people, if this really helps them get on with their lives every day, then maybe not the worst thing. A bit like putting a bandage on maybe. Not actively repairing we – but providing a bit of coverage while we are healing.

What do you think? Share your thoughts by tweeting us @Fuzzable.

Written by Fuzzable

This content has been created by a Fuzzable staff member. We post the latest news and features for you to read every day.

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