What does failure look like to you?
The pursuit to get faster, stronger, and healthier is sometimes daunting. The current pressures of social media have pushed the envelope of general health and wellness to a tipping point. Facebook and Instagram have become great ways to catch up on photos of grandkids and family members. It’s also become a place where the perception of “Facebook Fitness” is contributing to the anxiety that many of us feel. FOMO, I don’t look like that, and more.
From Daniel Wayne: “Perfectionism is directly linked to anxiety. An anxious perfectionist has high standards that are often unsustainable. This, of course, can lead to feelings of low self-worth when you “fail” to meet your unattainable goals. Feeling the need to be perfect all the time increases anxiety because the stakes feel so high."
When we look at social media we see a virtual world of success and happiness. We see our friends on the podium or getting six-pack abs. Comparing your unfiltered life to someone's filtered life adds to the pressure to be perfect.
You have no idea what the real life of the “Facebook perfect” person has. We all put our best foot forward in social media. Shit. I’m guilty. Yesterday I posted this photo:
Look how wonderfully happy I look! Err….nope. I was suffering from the heat. I’ve always not done well in the heat. Add in the crazy humidity of yesterday, then a 1-hour walk and I was absolutely pegged. Heat exhaustion. Toast.
We all want to be the best version of ourselves. There’s nothing WRONG with me if I don’t have 6 pack abs or go on a group ride and can’t average 26.6 mph. Social media creates a world of misrepresentation. It’s not real. Almost everyone you see on social media has issues, challenges, worries, and anxieties just like you. Including me!
Keep on the path to wellness. Enjoy posting and reading social media. DO NOT use social media as a fitness barometer. It’s very likely, not real. I would prefer all of us to be REAL.
Tailwinds,
Chad