More Soul, Less Scroll | Finding Authenticity in the Age of Algorithms
With the rise of social media, the line between personal expression and professional success has never been thinner. Influencer culture seemingly offers endless opportunities, but beneath the glossy posts and viral moments lies an often-overlooked reality: a contrived and inauthentic existence, pre-packaged and sold as the real deal. And you don't have to be an influencer to feel the pressure of social media, or its soul-sucking depletion. When it seems like everyone in your life is endlessly scrolling, you can easily get swept up into the whirlwind of constantly needing to be "on”—always connected and always up-to-date. But what’s the real cost of us all living in this digital frenzy?
“At the beginning, social media, it's called ‘social’—it was really about connecting and communicating with people online—this kind of community aspect.”
For this week’s encore episode of the Shaping Freedom podcast, Lisane Basquiat talks with social media expert and educator Lia Haberman, who offers her unique understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of social media. "At the beginning, social media—it was called ‘social.’ It was really about connecting and communicating with people online, this kind of community aspect,” explains Lia. Now, however, “We're moving into more of an entertainment era of social media. Because of the algorithm, you just keep being introduced to stuff that they think you might like, which is not your actual friends and family posting.”
Instead of innocently keeping up with our nearest and dearest, we’re now bombarded with posts from strangers whose lives seem effortless and perfect, leading us to compare ourselves in unhealthy ways. We start to wonder, “Am I interesting enough? Am I achieving enough?” And before we know it, we’re caught in a cycle of seeking validation through likes and comments. Social media’s biggest gift, its accessibility, is also its biggest curse. Anyone can share their story, and this creates an endless flow of content that makes it hard to know where to draw the line. This saturation affects all of us, causing feelings of overwhelm or inadequacy.
It’s crucial to remember that you are not a product. Your worth isn’t tied to the content you consume or create. You deserve to enjoy the present moment without feeling the need to capture and share it. Start small: be intentional about who you follow, take breaks from your screen, and resist the urge to compare your behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel.
“It’s crucial to remember that you are not a product. Your worth isn’t tied to the content you consume or create.”
Social media should serve us, not control us. As Lisane states: “Social media is but a reflection of all the conversations we're all having. They're just out there and available to us within seconds." By being more mindful about how we interact with social media—as well as the conversations we choose to engage in and share online—we can reclaim our sense of balance, authenticity, and freedom.
TL;DR (Too Long Didn’t Read)
Shift to Entertainment: Social media has evolved from connecting with friends to an entertainment platform driven by algorithms, often leading to unhealthy comparisons with strangers.
Overwhelm and Inadequacy: The endless flow of content creates feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm, making it difficult to maintain authenticity.
Reclaiming Balance: It's essential to be intentional about social media use, focus on genuine connections, and remember that your worth isn't tied to likes or shares.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Lia Haberman Learn more about Lia’s journey
ICYMI Read Lia’s newsletter on Substack
Listen to Lia and Lisane on the Shaping Freedom podcast.