Three steps for getting over social media envy – advice from a psychologist

• The rise of social media has had many benefits but also given rise to social media envy when users perceive the perfect lives of others – even though they are rarely as perfect as they seem on the surface.
• Thanks to social media, this definition written over 2,000 years ago seems more relevant than ever.
• Research has shown what you’ve probably long suspected, that social media users post socially desirable information to present a better image of themselves to others.
• Our own lives are for the most part mundane, but social media can make it appear that everyone else’s are not.
• The real trick is making sure you stop malicious envy and harness benign envy.

1. Acknowledge your feelings

By accepting that you are envious of someone when you have viewed a post on social media, you have made the first step to adopting a healthier response. You can then make the decision to use this feeling to fuel self improvement. This shift in perspective can help as you may obtain the lifestyle or object that you were envious of in the first place.

2. Follow and unfollow

• Next, try to identify role models as well as people to avoid or unfollow.
• Role models can be anyone that encourages a sense of benign envy and promotes wanting to improve.
• On the other hand, you may find that some lead you to be argumentative, so you avoid these drinks.

3. Practice moderation

• As in many areas of life, using social media in moderation is key.
• While sometimes we will take inspiration from social media posts, we can also find ourselves wishing for the demise of the person on the other side of the phone.