Do you know why you are on social media?
That’s a funny question to ask, isn’t it?
My post title.
Have you ever asked yourself that question before?
How did you answer it?
How would you answer it now?
And how certain do you feel about your answer?
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The above was a little exercise I did with myself recently. It was just a random thought that popped into my mind, so I went with it.
It got triggered when I was, once again, seeing friends and others share about their achievements, which I usually have no qualms about.
But there’s always something about such posts that irked me a little.
Today, I figured out what it was — the numbers.
“Earning $10,000 by the age of 27.”
“6-digit annual income.”
“Bought a $15,000 watch.”
These are some examples I’ve seen. While I can understand the joy of sharing achievements, the deliberate mention of the numbers really irked me hahaha.
This got me thinking — why do people post such things on social media? Why can’t they just talk about what they have done, but must put the numbers there?
It could be to attract views.
It could be just to celebrate.
It could be to sincerely showcase their achievements.
It could be to make others feel envious.
It could simply be to hao lian and be proud of it.
Or, of course, it could be a bait to attract people into joining their industry to chase the same “success.” 😏😏 Hahaha.
I don’t know.
It could be one of those reasons, or something else.
But it really got me reflecting — why are we on social media?
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Whether to share or to ‘stalk’, I guess we all have our own reasons to be here, to engage with the content we see.
But the scary thing is that there’s soooo much content out there now that it’s impossible to consume it all.
That’s why we need to be intentional.
Be it when adding more content to the pool,
Or when deciding what content to consume,
We need to be deliberate in knowing the purpose behind our actions.
If not, we could easily be swayed.
We could easily be influenced.
We could end up thinking others are achieving great successes while we’re just being bums.
We could subconsciously adjust our mindset in ways that harm us.
The negative impact can be slow but lasting.
Perhaps some people think that is ok, but I personally prefer having the ownership over my own thoughts and emotions, instead of benchmarking them to others.
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So as you’ve decided to read this post,
I’d like to use it to get you to think about the question again:
Do you know why you are on social media?
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Navigating social media as a public figure or an everyday user requires a careful balance between personal expression and meeting audience expectations. From my own experience observing people's posts filled with financial milestones or luxury items, I realized it’s not just about sharing successes but about the message we want to convey and how it resonates. Many public figures employ deliberate strategies to stay authentic while engaging their followers genuinely. They often blend personal stories with audience interests, building trust without overwhelming their identity. This authenticity invites meaningful interaction rather than just passive views or envy. Personally, I’ve learned to be selective about my social media time, focusing on content that adds value rather than chasing numbers or validation. Intention matters—whether you’re posting or scrolling. The truth about social media is that it’s a vast ocean of content, and without mindfulness, it’s easy to lose ourselves or feel pressured to conform. Recognizing the purpose behind your posts or your consumption habits helps retain control over your mindset, preventing negative comparisons. By choosing how we present ourselves and engaging thoughtfully with others, we create a healthier social media experience—one that uplifts rather than distracts. Remember, it’s okay to step back, reflect, and ask, “Why am I really here?” This question leads to more genuine connections and personal growth.
