I have a friend who constantly posts and flaunts her relationship on social media. #happy #love #bestboyfriendever are some of the hashtags that typically caption aerial images of surprise breakfasts-in-bed or a cute picnic date. She'll get between 15-20 likes for a single post, because we, her friends, are the loyal band who root for her happiness and then there are also the unknown Instagram browsers who stumble across the little romantic photo via the hashtags.
But what the general public don't know is that she isn't happy at all. Hiding behind those beaming smiles and that rosy Instagram filter are angry text messages and nights of anguish as she's sat on the phone to me in tears.
Social media has created a perpetual state of reality where the lives of the people who post can look wondrously happy and perfect. That's where the problems of social media lie: it's only too easy to tell half truths. You see the fabulous party but not the mess to clean up afterward. You see the happy couple but not the raging fights. You see the celebratory milestones but not the downward spiral of meltdowns.
But because we only see the half truths, the envy sets in.
When you're laughing and gossiping with your friends, do you check your Facebook? When you're sunbathing on a far flung beach, deliciously colourful cocktail in hand, are you scrolling through Instagram? When you're watching your favourite band in concert, are you Tweeting? Of course not. We check our social media channels when we're bored and lonely. Seeing other people's seemingly perfect lives only magnifies those feelings, so it makes sense that their happiness makes us jealous. Social media has allowed us to pick and choose which moments of our lives to share to the Internet public. Much like cramming things into the cupboards and drawers instead of tidying your room, you can display the good times and hide the ugly ones.
However, it's important to remember that everything looks better on the Internet than it does in real life. But that doesn't mean you should wallow in self-pity. Instead, learn from the downfalls and let them make you stronger.
So next time you're getting cocktails with your friends, enjoy the moment and keep your phone in your pocket. Snapchat isn't going anywhere.
M x
Playsuit - Bonnie // Jacket - Zara // Belt - ASOS // Shoes - Forever 21 // Bag - Jasper Conran
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