We see images of perfect-looking people, overachievers, and couples going on dream vacations on Instagram. We may feel our life isn’t living up to these standards set by others who have it all together. Which makes us compare ourselves to them. We start feeling worse about what we have or the little progress or success in recent months/years. We don’t realize that this constant feed has a negative impact on us mentally and emotionally.
You see, Instagram has its perks but can also be damaging to your mental health. It can easily get under your skin if you compare yourself with others. I’ll admit it, I have gone down the rabbit hole quite a few times myself. I have compared myself to many beautiful women with beach bodies and glossy skin. And it made me feel miserable.
It’s a natural human behavior to draw comparisons with everything we see. But we live in a world where there is always someone more privileged, beautiful, or successful than us hampering our self-esteem. Instagram can make things worse because it shows what people want others to see, which may be only 1% of their lives. Here they showcase their good days rather than the bad days when things are not-so-rosy.
If you are among those who suffer from constant comparisons on Instagram, here’s how you can retrieve yourself. Follow these 5 techniques that can give you a positive outlook on your life. Let’s get started.
#1. Start Your Day With Gratitude
When you wake up in the morning, think back over all the good that happened yesterday and be grateful. Remembering how much more Allah(SWT) has granted us than others can keep negative feelings at bay. However, most of us do not realize what all resources Allah (SWT) has granted us. If we only acknowledge them and make the best possible use of them, we can get ahead in life.
#2. Shut Down The Noise
You need to ask yourself: when was the last time you spent quality time alone pondering about yourself? Which is hard in today’s connected world. The constant notifications get us hooked on the never-ending social media triggers. But there can be no meaning to life if all these “distractions” take away from what matters the most…you!
Make a rule of limited time for social media usage. But if using social media is your necessity (like a job), then taking a break from it for a while should be fine. Shut it out and spend time with yourself to figure out what makes you happy, as simple as that.
#3. Know Your Worth
Not comparing ourselves with others is the key to self-worth. Every person leads a different life, and Allah (SWT) has a plan for each one of us. Don’t feel discouraged if someone has more talent than you or is successful. Instead, be happy knowing these things happened because it’s part of His plan. Focus on what makes your life unique, if others don’t see your worth then it doesn’t mean you are any less valuable.
“Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.” —[Sahih/Authentic]—[Al-Bukhari and Muslim.]
#4. Know your purpose
In today’s world, everyone follows what’s trending. Like creating videos on TikTok and reels on IG. But, instead of being a sheep in the herd, break away from it. Lead a meaningful life. Plan your day around your long-term goals. Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the purpose of life?
- How can I make a difference?
Allah (SWT) says,
“I created jinn and mankind only to worship Me” –Surah Ad-dhariyat (51:56)
Live a life according to the Quran and sunnah. Stay focused on your goals for this world and the hereafter.
#5. Break the content bubble
They say that the internet traps you in a content bubble. The social media algorithms work on your preferences. You will see the content you prefer to watch. You keep on reeling into similar content for hours without realizing it. That’s why it is important to spend time wisely on it and watch content that benefits you. You can for example watch Islamic videos and follow Islamic pages and scholars on the Internet. It will help you get the most out of your time and learn important life lessons.
It can be tough to overcome feelings of comparison and jealousy when scrolling through Instagram, but hopefully, the tips we shared will help you start to feel better about yourself and your life. Remember that social media is a highlight reel of people’s lives, not an accurate portrayal of reality, so don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. And finally, be grateful for what you do have in your life – even if it doesn’t look as amazing as someone else’s on social media. What are some things you’re grateful for?
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