How to stop comparing yourself on Social Media
Social media can be a great platform for sharing news, posting pictures, and staying in touch with friends. However, at times, it can also feel like an overwhelming and pressurising space.
Through our work with young people, we know that feeling the rising pressure to conform from our peers, social media and celebrity culture can often present us with challenges and can lead to us comparing our own lives to the lives of other people. If you find you are increasingly comparing yourself to others on social media and feel it is having a negative impact on your mental wellbeing, the following resource may be useful to you.
The Diana Award’s top tips on how to stop comparing yourself on social media:
1_ Limit your time on social media
It may be easier said than done but the amount of time we spend on social media is often the root of the problem. By spending hours on end scrolling through your feed and comparing your life to the lives of the people you follow, you are missing out on creating happy memories yourself. Instead, why not arrange to meet a friend or start up a new hobby? Being present in the real world, rather than the online one, will have you feeling much happier.
2_ Curate your feeds
Try to curate and diversify your social media feeds. Turn them into something that makes you feel stronger and healthier, rather than something that fills you with doubt and self-loathing. Know what to avoid and be firm with yourself! If you know that certain content is going to trigger difficult emotions, avoid accounts where you might come across that content. The more you start to see posts that make you feel good, the less you will feel the need to compare yourself to others.
3_ Be kind to yourself
Comparing yourself to the many images you are exposed to online can sometimes have a negative impact on your self-esteem. It is important to remember that people tend to show only positive sides of themselves by editing and selecting what to post. Therefore, what you see online might not be ‘real’ and it’s important to reflect on this and try not to be too affected by it. It is so easy to get sucked into the mindset that what you’re seeing is how somebody is one hundred percent of the time, so try taking a step back and reminding yourself that this is not the case. Think about the friends you follow on social media that you know offline too, chances are you know that the pictures they post are only a glimpse of their life.
4_ Talk to someone
If you are struggling with comparing yourself to others on social media, talk to someone about it. It could be a friend, family member, teacher, or helpline. It is important to remember that you are not alone and speaking to someone about what you’re going through could make a lot of difference. By talking to your friends, you will likely find out that some of them have struggled with the same problem.
Check out The Diana Award’s Support Centre for more information on looking after yourself online and advice on struggles with body confidence and self-esteem.
It is important to remember that when it comes to making comparisons between yourself and others, everyone’s coping strategies are going to be different, so make sure you do something which works for you!
Further Support_
The UK’s leading charity with information about mental health in young people.
The UK’s leading charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape.
Website with information about issues affecting 16-24 year olds.
Leading provider of advice and support to empower anyone experience poor mental health. Mind’s website features excellent ideas for increasing your self-esteem.
Campaigning to change attitudes on body image.
The Diana Award Crisis Messenger
Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are a young person in crisis, you can text DA to 85258. Trained volunteers will listen to how you’re feeling and help you think the next step towards feeling better.
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