Oversharing on Social Media: Is your relationship suffering?
We live in a world where putting your business on public display is a must to stay relevant. Whether a social media influencer or just an average person trying to live your best life, you've quickly realized that the more intimate details you share, the more popularity you receive. But at what cost?
In the old days, folks kept their relationships private and under wraps. How many of you admire how your parents' or grandparents' marriages stood the test of time? If you do, have you wondered how they made it work? It's because Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok didn't exist. Their privacy was intact, limiting their chances of being judged and scrutinized. People met the traditional way through mutual friends or social events as opposed to apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and Plenty of Fish?
According to Statista, a company specializing in market and consumer data, from January 2013 to June 2018, there were an estimated 1 billion active monthly users on Instagram. Approximately 64 percent of those users are between 18-34. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the average age of men and women who get married is 28 years old. These statistics place marital relationships within the bracket of those consistent and loyal Instagram users. During the most crucial years of matrimony, obtaining "likes" and "follows" are more important than developing your relationship. Happiness shouldn't be based on others' approval. Posting selfies in which you appear to be the perfect couple have replaced personal intimacy. Simply put, oversharing has now become a game.
Three ways social media is hurting your relationship:
It sets unrealistic expectations are a set-up for failure. Stop comparing your man or woman to what you see on the internet. It's a setup for failure.
It causes trust issues. Slipping into the opposite sex's DM will only lead to trouble.
It increases the chance of having an affair. Emotional connections develop with just a few clicks, and you no longer see your partner the same way.
Put your phones away. Have a deep and meaningful discussion about life, dreams, beliefs, fears, and vulnerabilities without putting it on the Gram.
When your emotional foundation isn't stable and boundaries aren't established, your relationship will only be as good as the likes, hearts, and applause you receive from everyone other than your partner.
