Is anyone else super triggered by ppl showing off on social media?

[Anonymous]

I have been talking about this with my therapist. I get very very irritated by ppl showing off on social - especially if the showing off is not subtle or ‘well disguised’. It’s partly that I work in marketing (so it annoys me professionally) but like - next level. Case in point - when people tag business class lounges in social media posts. I travel often and usually biz class but I would never ever ever do this. Curious if anyone else finds this type of thing vvvv annoying?
If you do not find it annoying - no need to comment. Really just interested to hear from anyone who does. I would love figure out why I am so triggered and thus move past this

[Anonymous]

Isn’t this exactly why social media has been proven to make people unhappy? I’m not on social media for several reasons and seeing other people brag isn’t in my top 3 reasons, but it’s on the list! I feel like your experience isn’t uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Because it is cheesy and embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

I find it more cringe than annoying, but either way it's gross behavior that I judge.

[Anonymous]

I was FB friends with one person who does this and I found it very annoying so I no longer "follow" her and her posts don't show up in my feed. I actually have to look her up to see her posts (which I never do) and now I don't have the issue. If it's so triggering to you, OP, it's an easy thing to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Why do you care what other people do? They found something that makes them happy. You go find something tha t makes you happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care what other people do? They found something that makes them happy. You go find something tha t makes you happy.

Seriously.

I sure as hell posted my first time in the United lounge, I was excited! It’s my page, so I’ll post what I want. 😌😌

You aren’t forced to look at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was FB friends with one person who does this and I found it very annoying so I no longer "follow" her and her posts don't show up in my feed. I actually have to look her up to see her posts (which I never do) and now I don't have the issue. If it's so triggering to you, OP, it's an easy thing to avoid.

I did the same and no longer following some people. It is interesting when you talk to people and find out that a trip or Thanksgiving dinner was a nightmare then compare it to the perfection presented on their social media feed.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, it kind of sounds like you're annoyed that others are getting attention for things you do too. Jealousy isn't the right word, maybe validation? Kind of like how when someone has an achievement and gets attention and praise for it so someone butts in with their achievement so they can get praise too. But since you don't post you don't get the attention and that's really what bothers you

[Anonymous]

The way to move past this is to deactivate all your social media accounts. You are the problem here, not them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way to move past this is to deactivate all your social media accounts. You are the problem here, not them.

I prefer the mindset that social media is the problem it’s basically an finely tuned advertising platform. Advertising and marketing works when people feel bad about themselves because they are then motivates to them buy.

But the responsibility does still fall on OP to manage. Deactivating is one way, but also just unfollowing accounts that annoy you. Limiting exposure.

[Anonymous]

I understand how you feel and juggle similar emotions.

The idea of turning off these people, closing accounts etc is a solution. But you knew that already. I think you are trying to dig deeper because you know how anxiety works- it wants you to avoid feeling uncomfortable. So by avoiding their feeds, you won’t feel won’t be uncomfortable- annoyed, cringy, etc. And then you won’t be hard on yourself for why these posts bother you. I get it.

It seems you are asking how manage this without avoiding social media- it’s is a brave thing to do because it is THIS sort of approach that gets anxiety out of the way and let’s you change your thinking- which is much harder to do but also healthier.

All this being said - what others have said is also true - here is the design and goal of social media- it isn’t a healthy place to be and don’t beat yourself up over that, you are feeling how we know it makes people feel.

Resist the FOMO, look less, hide people, stop posting, follow lots of other things so your feeds are more interesting.

I get what you are trying to work through, I just don’t know if this addictive form of expression warrants this much effort to manage it mentally. By making is less serious and important, perhaps you can use social media differently in a way that doesn’t bother you so much. It’s not worth it, for you, for anyone. That really is hard to do and you can do it.

We all get those moments of eye rolls when we read something, we get caddy and want to make fun of someone- social media thrives on this sort of thing. I think you are trying to make it such a big thing, and you can with concrete ways- don’t beat yourself up that it bothers you. It’s designed to.

[Anonymous]

It isn’t business class lounges for me (I both don’t travel business and don’t consider posting from the business class lounge bragging) but there are certain things people post on social media that make me feel bad (generally things about parenting but not always). There are two things I remind myself when I hit those feelings:
1. We can be envious of our and also happy for them. I acknowledge the “I wish I had that” feeling, then move on to the much more positive “Isn’t it nice Larla has that!” feelings
2. Remind myself that everyone has challenges and blessings in their own lives and that sometimes it helps to talk up the blessings. Depending on situation this means I either remember to count *my* blessings or remind myself that Larla might be having a tough time need some love right now.

[Anonymous]

OP, you still felt the need the clarify to strangers (us) that of course you too fly business class. Heaven forbid we think otherwise!

But yes this is why largely stopped FB and don’t have any of the others at all. It’s unhealthy for everyone involved, even the people who claim to like it.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP, that does sound obnoxious.

The thing is, I don't know any people like that? We have a HHI (7 figures) we try to live simply . . . public schools, diverse church, etc. Maybe these snotty people are in the country clubs and private schools we haven't joined? IDK. I would definitely focus on people with the good sense not to post content like that. The only exception might be if a parent was like, "I wouldn't normally post something like this but after a really tough flight, the business class lounge and its cookie bar was an absolute life saver." Context matters. If you're just making duck lips at the camera and hash-tagging it "first class flyer" or whatever, then click unfollow and find some more inspiring friends.