22 Oct The social media onion
The emotional layers of the social media onion
If you’ve ever peeled an onion, you know it’s not just about cutting through layers—it’s an emotional journey. At first glance, the onion looks pristine, shiny, and clean. But as you peel away each layer, tears can sting your eyes.
That’s exactly how social media works. From the outside, everything looks curated and perfect. But blow past a few layers—our expectations, our insecurities, the pressure to perform—and suddenly it hits with emotional weight.
Why the perfect image often makes us feel less
The shiny profiles we scroll through? That’s just the outer layer.
Beneath lies anxiety, comparison, self-doubt.
We scroll, tap, and refresh, hoping to match the highlight reels—but only ending up more disconnected from our real selves.
When the ‘perfect feed’ becomes a performance
We follow carefully, post thoughtfully, edit meticulously. It doesn’t feel like sharing anymore—it feels like performing.
This constant staging of our lives tricks us into thinking we’re never enough. The more layers we show, the more we forget who we are underneath.
What happens when the layers close in
At first, social media can feel like connection. But over time, that curated perfection becomes isolating. We compare, we censor, and we lose touch with our own messy, unfiltered stories.
Peeling back the layers — how to reconnect
Here’s what helps:
- Pause the scroll — give yourself space away from the noise.
- Post without filters — share something real, even if it’s messy or imperfect.
- Reconnect with analog — a walk, a journal, a moment away from screens.
Final thought — authenticity over perfection
The social media onion may be glossy on the outside, but it’s emotional underneath. The way through isn’t another filter—it’s being brave enough to peel away layers and share what’s real.
If peeling back layers and finding clarity in the chaos resonates with you, you’ll love 7 Days of Clarity. A simple, daily guide to silence the noise and reconnect with your creative truth. Coming soon!!!
**References**
– Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Radovic, A., Colditz, J. B., Radovic, A., & Miller, E. (2017). *The association between social media use and depressive symptoms among U.S. young adults*. *Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology*.
– Royal Society for Public Health. (2017). *#StatusOfMind: Social media and young people’s mental health and wellbeing*.
– Twenge, J. M. (2017). *iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood*. Atria Books.