Let’s talk about the intersection of social media, burnout, and impostor syndrome. It’s like a Bermuda Triangle of self-doubt and exhaustion.
Social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great way to connect with friends, share cat videos, and stalk your ex’s new significant other [just kidding, kind of]. On the other hand, it can be a breeding ground for burnout and impostor syndrome.
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram, seeing all these perfectly curated feeds and feeling like a total failure? It’s like, how do they have time to take all these pictures and still have a life?
That’s what we call imposter syndrome, or maybe it’s burnout…?
Either way, we’re diving into both. Let’s get into explaining the difference and giving our best tips to kick this nasty state of mind.
IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Impostor syndrome makes its appearance when you start to compare yourself to all these Instagram influencers and feel like you’re not living up to their standards. You start to question whether you’re good enough or interesting enough to have a following like they do.
Imposter syndrome not only takes a toll on your mental health, but it can harm the quality of your content. When you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, you may feel like you’re not good enough or that your content isn’t worthy of being shared. This can lead to self-doubt, which can make it difficult to create content that you feel confident in or make it difficult to come up with unique and creative ideas, as you may feel like you need to copy what others are doing to be successful.
Moreover, imposter syndrome can lead to a lack of authenticity in your content and we don’t love that because what we want for you is to create content that is unique, engaging, and true to who you are!
BURNOUT
And then there’s burnout. Social media can be so addicting that before you know it, you’ve spent hours scrolling, liking, and commenting. You start to feel exhausted and drained as if you’ve been in a never-ending Instagram black hole — like when you’re binge-watching a TV show, and you promise yourself you’ll stop after one more episode…
Not only that, but burnout can also affect your creativity and motivation. When you’re burnt out, you may find yourself just going through the motions and posting content that feels uninspired or lackluster. Your passion and enthusiasm for creating content can be dampened by the exhaustion and overwhelm you’re feeling.
Burnout can also make it difficult to engage with your audience. Social media is all about building connections and engaging with your followers, but when you’re burnt out, it can be hard to find the energy to do that. You may find yourself responding to comments and messages in a robotic or impersonal way, or even ignoring them altogether.
But here’s the thing
social media is just a highlight reel. People only post their best moments, their best angles, and their best experiences. It’s not real life.
While burnout and imposter syndrome can both have negative effects on your mental health and well-being, they are actually two distinct experiences. Burnout is typically associated with feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, and lack of motivation, and can be caused by chronic stress and overwork. In contrast, imposter syndrome is characterized by feelings of self-doubt and insecurity, and a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud or impostor. While burnout can lead to feelings of inadequacy, it is typically rooted in external factors like workload or job demands. Whereas imposter syndrome is often linked to internal factors like self-esteem and self-worth. It’s important to recognize the differences between burnout and imposter syndrome, as they require different approaches to self-care and recovery. By understanding the unique challenges of each experience, you can better support yourself. And take steps to prevent both burnout and imposter syndrome from taking over your life.
How You Can Help Yourself Feel Better
When curing impostor syndrome and burnout related to social media, you can do a few things to help you regain balance.
Nobody is perfect
It’s important to take a step back and remember that what you see on social media is highly curated. Nobody’s life is perfect all the time, even if their Instagram feed looks like it is. So, don’t compare yourself to others or measure your worth by the number of likes or followers you have.
Limit Your Time
Try to limit your time on social media. It’s easy to get sucked into the never-ending scroll, but it’s important to take breaks and step away from the screen. Make a conscious effort to do other things that bring you joy and fulfilment. Like spending time with friends or pursuing a hobby.
It’s Okay To Feel Overwhelmed
Give yourself permission to take a break from social media altogether if you need to. If you feel like social media contributes to your impostor syndrome or burnout, taking a break is okay. You can always come back when you’re feeling more balanced and centered.
Finally, be kind to yourself.
Remember that impostor syndrome and burnout are common experiences; you’re not alone in feeling this way. Remember that your job title, follower count, or social media presence do not determine your worth. Taking these steps can help cure impostor syndrome and burnout while finding a healthier, more balanced relationship with technology and yourself.