The Social Media Olympics: Are You Competing?

I have heard people say life is not a race, but surprisingly, we all get involved in the social media marathon. No wonder the old saying comes to mind: life is never for the faint-hearted. The moment you log in to social media, you get exposed to several things.

Social media isn’t just a space for sharing—it’s an unspoken battleground, where participants compete in a never-ending game of ‘who’s winning at life.’ From career milestones to weekend getaways, every post is a subtle flex, a carefully curated highlight reel meant to impress, inspire, or, at times, outdo others.

Consider vacations. It’s not just about traveling; it’s about proving you had the best experience. Stunning beach shots, scenic hikes, five-star meals—each post is an unspoken entry in the ‘Who Had the Most Envy-Inducing Trip?’ category. And let’s be honest, we all have that one friend who seems to be in a different country every other month, making us question our own life choices.

Then there’s the ‘Hustle Culture’ segment. Posts about waking up at 5 AM, reading ten books a month, working on three side hustles, these aren’t just personal achievements; they serve as subtle reminders that the rest of us might not be doing enough. Whether intentional or not, they set a pace that many feel pressured to keep up with.

Relationships aren’t left out either. From grand proposal videos to picture-perfect anniversaries, love on social media often appears flawless. But is it real? The pressure to showcase a ‘perfect relationship’ leads many to post the highlights while hiding the struggles. Meanwhile, some feel left behind, questioning their own love lives based on someone else’s online fairytale.

Even something as simple as eating has become competitive. Dinners, homemade delicacies, aesthetically pleasing plates, every meal must be ‘Instagram-worthy.’ The phrase ‘eating with your eyes first’ has taken on a whole new meaning.

But here’s the thing, are we playing the game, or is the game playing us? Social media has blurred the lines between sharing and performing, between living and curating. Are we posting because we want to, or because we feel we should? And if we step back, will we realize that life doesn’t need an audience to be meaningful?

Maybe the real victory is stepping out of the competition altogether.

Read also: Five Ways to Be the Main Character in Your Own Life