In our childhood, we would jot in and record all our special feelings, our meaningful memories, and even the smallest of milestones in our slam books. But as time passed and technology became so accessible, our way of documenting and archiving our memories has evolved.
In today's era, sharing everything on social media is the new norm, finding validation through the interactions and responses to our posts. Social media has taken charge of our narratives and has become a showreel of the highlights of our lives.
According to Brainstation, Facebook remains the predominant platform for sharing celebratory moments, with 94% of users reporting they have used the site for sharing milestones. Instagram follows at 39%, and Snapchat ranks third with 27%.
From pictures of accomplishing the 10k steps challenge to videos from graduating from Oxford, the moment you open social media, you are bombarded with these “achievement” posts.
Connecting the dots: Tracing the origins of social mediaRecent research indicates that when we compare our life milestones with others on social media, particularly during pivotal moments, it often leads to feelings of inadequacy.
According to the Evening Standard, 86% of those surveyed feel that society places excessive pressure on them to achieve these milestones.
Is it truly advisable to share personal milestones on social media? Beneath the fleeting gush of happiness and seemingly flawless moments lies a nuanced balance of upsides and downsides
The way people perceive it is the key. Be careful of the way you present yourself and your achievements on the platforms. Sharing your achievements can be positive if you aim to inspire others, commemorate your efforts, or make it seem doable and be the beacon of light. Conversely, if your motivation is purely to boast or seek validation, it might be perceived as self-centred or attention-seeking attracting the wrong kind of energy.
Think twice about the audience and try not to inflict any sort of envy on them. While some of your friends may be genuinely ecstatic about your achievements, some may not. The bitter truth is that not everyone will be happy about your success, and your milestones.
Some will question it, some will demean it, and some may even reject it. Be mindful of how your posts may affect different people in your social circle.
Now imagine, how a woman experiencing challenges in conceiving might feel upon seeing a celebratory post about someone else's child being born. The person sharing the post may not even be aware of the excruciating pain they struck the person.
It's important to be considerate when sharing happy news on social media, ensuring that it doesn't cause anyone pain or affect their sense of self-worth.
In Islamic teachings, such practices are strictly prohibited owing to the concept of "nazaar" which refers to the evil eye or harmful envy that can affect a person due to others' jealousy or admiration. So, it is advisable to not flaunt one’s blessings.
Seeing someone else's success can make people compare themselves to that person. They might start feeling like they're not doing as well or achieving as much, which can make them feel down.
So, should you stop celebrating your good news then? If you want to celebrate with others, keep it small and invite only close friends or family members who can keep things low-key. Spend some quiet time reflecting on your good news and expressing gratitude in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Remember, your accomplishments hold value beyond likes and comments. They are personal milestones that shape your journey. Let's prioritize authenticity and meaningful connections over the fleeting spotlight of social media.
