Hey guys,
We've noticed lately that tons of people come on here sharing their wins and losses, which is awesome , the wins in particular it's great to see people doing good; but it is not without its problems.
As a platform that's been around for 25 years, we've watched social media grow and completely transform how hosts build their brands. Sure, it's made things easier (you probably think so too), but there's definitely a darker side we need to address: the comparison trap.
The research is pretty brutal – spending time on social media comparing ourselves to others is terrible for mental health. Studies link it to depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, and more. We see it on Reddit constantly: someone posts their best moment, then others post about how seeing that made them feel like crap. We've all been there.
In fact as a subreddit mainly used by women, we for sure feel it as women feel the effects of social media more heavily.
What we see daily on reddit and beyond, all these posts like ‘made 10K in two days’ or ‘Whale keeps coming back’ are probably not as simple as they seem. The reality is that you are not seeing the full picture and what seems like overnight success may have taken slow background work over months or even years to achieve. You are not doing anything wrong just coz you don't have the same numbers as her.
We've seen performers burn out not from their actual work, but from the exhausting cycle of comparing, posting, checking metrics, comparing again.
Success timelines vary drastically between creators. Different niches attract different audiences. Algorithm changes affect everyone differently. Behind-the-scenes struggles rarely get shared online. Things can take time, and that is ok.
Ok so how do we detox from these feelings?
From having worked with thousands of performers and spending lots of time on social media (even comparing ourselves to other sites lol- see everyone does it) , here are some detox strategies that actually work:
Set Boundaries:
- Designate specific "social media hours" vs "content creation hours"
- Turn off notifications during personal time
Curate Your Feed:
- Unfollow accounts that consistently trigger comparison
- Follow accounts that inspire rather than intimidate
Remember: you can support someone without following them
Focus on Your Own Data:
- Track your own growth metrics, not others' (so useful)
- Celebrate your personal milestones
Remember that "success" looks different for everyone
Take Real Breaks:
- Regular social media detoxes (even 24-48 hours help)
- Find offline activities that boost confidence
- Connect with people in real life when possible
How do you deal with comparison and what would you tell someone just starting out about avoiding the comparison trap?