it's becoming a space to avoid - not connect ☹️

🌷❗this is an opinion piece! it was written to share my pov. it does not aim to disqualify or invalidate that of others', but to hopefully foster discussion :) im also not complaining, lol

(⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡l

lately as i scroll through social media, i get the urge to turn it right back off.

have you ever felt like that, too?

when modern social spaces started to take off, they were marketed as a way to connect. facebook was set up as a virtual-visual phonebook of sorts; emails and myspace encouraged communication and correspondence.

social media was created for us to bond - it didn't matter who or what you were.

but as time went on, unfortunately, as with everything, the corporate claws sunk into it. we got ads!

and now, i feel like it's worse than ever before.

the first couple things i see on opening any social app is the call to buy something - headlines and captions like "the BEST puffer tote" and "you HAVE to try the Dior lipstick" call out to me in screaming letters, convincing me of a need i "never knew i had".

and it's exhausting.

it's kind of ironic too that i'm saying all this, considering it's in my line of work as a content creator. but even me, IM sick of watching MY OWN work sometimes. and while i still try to keep it as organic as possible, i DEFINITELY don't need this much stuff, and neither do you.

the bag you got for christmas? it's beautiful, and it's special! it isn't broken either - do you really need a new one? your skincare is practical - it works! you aren't breaking out. do you really need to bet on another serum you aren't even sure will work? do you need a fifty-dollar water bottle that will just... hold... water...?

don't get me wrong - i'm not saying this because im ungrateful - i really, truly am, from the bottom of my heart. im not complaining either, or condemning anyone for sharing these things online. im guilty, i do it - a LOT of the time, in fact. i make tiktok videos telling people about new things all the time. but again, while i genuinely believe in these products, i, as a consumer, am so so tired of hearing i "need" something new over and over again.

at the same time though, i also get the thrill of sharing a new purchase on your socials. again - i do it too! that's how i even started influencing in the first place. i love sharing new things with my friends; it's just how i show appreciation for the gift, and is my way of enjoying what i was given, you know? i also understand that we all have wants that should be fulfilled - life will just have no fun or colour without them! i too have made seemingly useless purchases that have brought me SO much joy! (case in point, my entirely-too-big beanie baby collection lol)

i just feel like it's an interesting question: why do we keep convincing ourselves - and on occasion, others - to get something we, deep down, know we don't need?

i think brands get successful by targeting these couple things: your wants, worldly perceptions, and (depending on the market) your needs.

are there ways we can slow down the oversaturating, overstimulating ads?

i feel like they are slowly making social media a place i try to avoid, instead of connect.

and i would really, really love to connect.

let's chat in the comments!

till the next post, nonetheless 🫂

love,

z

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