Behind the Perfect Posts: Why Social Media Can Leave You Drained
We all scroll. It’s how we start the day, pass time during breaks, and unwind at night. But have you ever closed your phone feeling… not better, but worse?
You’re not alone.
For many young adults today, social media has become more than just a way to connect — it’s become a mirror they keep holding up, only to feel they’re not measuring up.
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💭 “Why does everyone seem ahead of me?”
Meet Sneha, 22, a bright and hardworking student. Lately, she’s been feeling off. Her grades are fine, and she’s on track — yet every time she opens Instagram, her chest tightens.
She sees classmates interning abroad, attending fancy workshops, and living what seems like a picture-perfect life. In contrast, her own routine feels dull. The more she scrolls, the smaller she feels.
This is what constant comparison does. It doesn’t ask if you’re doing well — it convinces you you’re not doing enough.
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🎭 The pressure to look okay — even when you’re not
Then there’s Ravi, 25, a freelancer who posts consistently about his productivity, client wins, and “balanced” life. But what he doesn’t post is the loneliness of working alone, the stress of financial uncertainty, or the creative burnout.
He’s scared to show anything less than perfect — because that’s not what gets likes.
The result? Exhaustion. Not just from work, but from pretending everything’s fine.
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😔 When scrolling feels like being left behind
And what about Ananya, 20? One evening, she saw photos of her friends at a weekend getaway — ones she wasn’t invited to.
They probably didn’t mean to exclude her, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. She smiled and double-tapped the photo… and then quietly pulled away from the group.
That quiet pain? It’s called FOMO. And it’s real.
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💬 Even being vulnerable online can feel risky
A young man once posted about his weight loss journey — something he worked hard on and was proud of. While many people encouraged him, a few mocking comments about his “before” photo crushed his confidence.
He deleted the post.
This is the darker side of curated online spaces — even honesty can feel unsafe.
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🌱 So what can you do when it all gets too much?
You don’t need to quit social media altogether. But maybe, try this:
• Unfollow accounts that make you feel “less than”
• Follow people who are real, not just polished
• Limit scrolling at night (your brain needs peace)
• Have one day a week with no social media
• Talk to someone if it feels too heavy — you don’t have to carry it alone
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💬 A gentle reminder:
You’re allowed to grow at your own pace. You’re allowed to not have it all figured out. What you see online is a filtered version of someone’s life — not the full story.
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🧠 Need someone to talk to?
At EduPathways Counselling, we’re here for you. Whether you’re dealing with comparison, self-doubt, friendship issues, or just need a space to breathe — our team offers safe, non-judgmental support for young people aged 14–24.
📧 Reach out: edupathwayscounselling@gmail.com
🌍 Online and in-person sessions available
❤ Let’s build confidence — not comparison.
