The Facebook Drama

I posted a new profile picture on Facebook the other day: a manga avatar that wears a cat mask, holding a popcorn bucket, as if watching a movie screening. A philosophy lies behind the post. Heck...everyone wears a mask, especially in Facebook. I’m 100% sure that I’m not the only one who un-tags an ugly looking picture tagged by a friend, right?

I think Facebook is all about creating an image. Like I said before, X on Facebook (and other social media network) and X in real life is most likely different from one another. So, there...I’m putting on my mask and post my happy-go-lucky holiday pics. Little do others know that I was a bit uptight during the holiday because I was afraid I’d be short of cash, got into a small clash with my bestie and was overwhelmed from getting lost on a bus trip. Oh well...a big smile was all it took to make it on Facebook. Haha...  

I noticed that Facebookers on my timeline regularly post pictures of their holiday or the time when they visit a new resto or such and such. I used to think that the gesture is a show off, it’s like saying: “Hey, my life’s better than yours. My days are filled with fun and parties, yours isn’t *stick out tongue*!” And, yes, I’ve had my jealous moments. Not to be a downer, I reminded myself that whatever people share on Facebook, it’s simply a tiny part of them. Surely, they don’t share their stressful moments at work, bad hair days, awful mom-in-laws or when dealing a difficult child. Heck, if they do, I would click ‘unsubscribe’ instantly.  

Then, it hit me...’twas an ‘aha’ moment. Why should I even bother to be jealous? It’s what Facebook is all about. Indeed, it wouldn’t be much pleasant to have a friend posting negative statuses or worrying images. Facebook is a social media to share our personal “good stuff” that makes us happy & glued to the computer at the first place. If we get too attached, then it’s another story. It’s not their fault that they met the right one before we do, it’s not their fault that they can experience Europe while (at the moment) we can only experience domestic traveling....neither it’s our fault.

It’s the ‘little me’ inside that says, “You’re not making enough money, that’s why you can’t go on fancy vacation” or “You’re messed up, that’s why you can’t get a boyfriend to last longer than a semester” all the way as we browse on those pics. It’s nothing personal...it’s just the way of a social media network. Be happy for their happiness. Don’t be too hard on yourself...you are perfect as you are, here and now. And the least thing you need is envious stares and other Facebookers approval to be grateful of your perfection.

Cheers!