Day 015. Breaking the Scroll: 91 Days Off Social Media & Rediscovering Life IRL
A Millennial's Digital Detox Diaries: Are we eroding our autonomy?
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This October, I am writing a daily series (Mondays through Fridays) chronicling my eighth time on an Instagram sabbatical. I’ve welcomed this annual ritual since 2016, but this year, I am doing my longest departure and documenting my daily insights for you.
I can’t promise what each day will bring ;)
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Stay tuned—for a little while—to see what I’ll create.
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Do you ever wonder whether the person you see as yourself is the same person others see as you? I do.
Eight chapters into Psycho-Cybernetics, self-image is a hot topic in my mind.
Originally written in the 1960s, its conclusions transcends time. Its 2023 re-release is is as revolutionary today as (I assume) it was back then.
Let me briefly explain this idea according to Maxwell Maltz.
Self-image is the mental picture of perception you hold about yourself. It is not always an accurate reflection of reality, but rather a subjective construct formed from your thoughts, beliefs, and past experiences.
I find this intriguing, that there can be two separate truths of our ‘self’: the version others see and the version we see.
A departure from the book though and in relation to this month’s theme on my observations without social media; my mind drifts into thinking about how our self-image, in a world of social media, is not surprisingly more complicated.
Nowadays, it’s less straightforward, as there’s:
the version others see in person
the version others interpret via social media
the version we present on social media
the ‘self’ only close circles see
the ‘self’ only we know
Of course, it’s completely possible to be the same person in all these scenarios, but typically the truth is much more complex because of the many more dynamics that are at play.
Self-image is an intimate, subjective consideration.
Yet, its influences are varied.
Do you remember that Black Mirror episode? Nosedive?
If you’ve never watched Black Mirror or seen the episode I am talking about, it’s worth watching. Each episode is an independent storyline, so if you want to explore the world we live, through a satire of social metrics, this episode is for you.
The episode depicts of a world where life is entirely determined by our social metrics. From the services we gain access to, to the social interactions we are privy to, to the privileges we are afforded—everything is tied to a numerical social score.
In a world with social media, our self-image is no longer solely defined by personal reflections or immediate social validations. It is entangled with digital algorithms that subtly shape our sense of identity.
Self-image is all knowing and all powerful.
We are the masters of it.
As a seasoned plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz observed, there are two types of patients he encounters: those whose personalities and lives are transformed after surgery, and those whose remain unchanged. The latter, who come in with deep-seated insecurities, often find themselves just as unhappy after surgery as they were before.
Despite the physical reconstruction, some patients claim they see no change at all. Maltz attributes this to the profound power of self-image. This is a common phenomenon observed by plastic surgeons—the mind’s perception of the self can be so dominant that it overshadows even visible, physical change.
These algorithms determine what we see, how our content is distributed, what defines our social value, and consequently, it informs our self-image.
In this new paradigm, our self-image is not only influenced by our own standards or those of close networks but it is formed by the opinions of strangers and metrics like “shareability” and engagement alike.
We are the masters of our self-image, but social media is becoming the master of us.
Social media introduces a new dimension to the concept of self-image.
In an era where social hierarchies are determined by one’s ability to generate attention and fandoms online, our self-image is now also at the mercy of our digital presence.
How does this transition affect our understanding of self-image?
What are the psychological implications of tying our self-image to algorithmic feedback loops?
How can we maintain a healthy self-image in a world where external validation is quantified and gamified?
What role does authenticity still have in a system that rewards content optimised for virality over facts and truth?
How do we reconcile the difference between curating a flawless online persona with the need to nurture our authentic self offline?
Self-image remains a useful framework to understand how we perceive ourselves, but it also poses new challenges for genuine self-expression and connection to our truest selves.
The concept of self-image, as Maltz explored in the 1960s, is as relevant as ever. Though, its nature has evolved—layered with the complexities introduced by the digital age.
Social media is exploiting our primal need for connection and belonging, by reshaping our neurological structures and incentives in the process.
Social media is, at its core, a machine made for expediting and enhancing external validation. As we become more dependent on likes, followers, and our digital presence, we risk tying our self-image to artificial metrics beyond our control.
This cycle rewires our brains and creates a dangerous feedback loop where satisfaction and contentment, in ourselves, is driven by external praise over inner fulfilment or intrinsic motivation.
If we continue to surrender to this need for external validations, are we also compromising our ability to find true self-worth? Are we distorting our self-image to cater to the needs of social media? Are we shifting our values to stay relevant online?
Does an hour of physical effort lose its worth without an audience to cheer? Does the beauty of a landscape fade without the acknowledgement by our peers?
If we continue to allow our self-image to be ruled by the power of algorithms, are we also surrendering our power to self-validate? Are we, then also unknowingly, slowly eroding our autonomy to sustain our own happiness? Are we losing our ability to form independent self-image?
Day 014. Breaking the Scroll: 91 Days Off Social Media & Rediscovering Life IRL
If you’re new here or just dropping by, welcome!
Day 013. Breaking the Scroll: 91 Days Off Social Media & Rediscovering Life IRL
If you’re new here or just dropping by, welcome!
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