Being popular sounds inviting, does it not? Isn’t it true that we all like to be liked? Whether we’re scrolling through Instagram, reading a blog, or talking to someone in person, do thoughts of jealousy silently creep in when we see their greater popularity? Do we not, even subconsciously, compare our own lives to what we are presented through social media, the internet, and conversations? That’s the key word here: presented.
For this post, I’m going to use Instagram as the main example, but it can be applied to any social media platform, the internet, or an in-person experience.
The countless Instagram accounts brimming with perfectly planned photos and striking filters may make it seem to any onlooker that those accounts represent the real lives of the Instagrammers. However, I can assure you, they do not. The Instagrammers don’t see the world through the Valencia filter or have lives compiled of only the most seemingly perfect photos they post. Life doesn’t work that way, not for anybody. Many people post content for the sole reason of becoming popular with their audiences. Their content may not even please themselves, and only be posted for sheer popularity/followers/likes.
Now that we’ve established that what some people choose to present to their audience does not necessarily reflect their true lives, let’s each ask ourselves a question. Do I do that sometimes?
When we post something either on social media or the internet, or even how we act and speak, are we doing it for popularity, to impress someone, and to seem a little different than we really are? Are we trying to get more likes or friends by presenting things that do not reflect our true selves? What if, by doing that, we are creating a fictional social front and not revealing what we truly enjoy, think, or find interesting?
Fortunately, there is an easy fix for this epidemic of trying to become popular: don’t try. Just completely drop everything that is dishonestly encouraging popularity and instead be yourself. Present content that truly makes you happy and interests you. Stop “trying” to be popular, because if you aren’t being yourself, then they don’t like you, they like the artificial life you have presented.
Also, this is a reminder that you do not have to agree with other people (on social media, the internet, or in real life) just to become popular in their eyes. Do not feel as though you must pretend to like or agree with something that a friend likes or agrees with to win their friendship or approval. Lying and being dishonest about what you believe or like to gain popularity is definitely not a good thing to practice. Being popular in the eyes of friends, peers, and strangers matters not a pittance if you aren’t popular in God’s eyes.
When people look at what we present to the world, we should want them to see us, not a fake life that we’ve created for an audience. More importantly, when people look at us, they should see Jesus. We should always remember that what we present should be a reflection of our Lord above; things that are true, things that are pure, and things that are lovely. Be yourself, the daughter/son of The King and be sure to represent Him in everything we do.
As my final question: what are you presenting to the world: content created to gain popularity, or the real you, the child of The King?
(P.S. There is nothing wrong with posting pretty or pre-planned pictures on social media, but make sure that it represents the true you, things that you like, enjoy, and wish to share with others, like the love of our Heavenly Father!)
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Do you find yourself presenting content for popularity that isn’t the real you?
Have you ever felt like you had to agree with someone to gain popularity in their eyes?
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Simply Megan Joy 
I used to feel like that on Instagram…but I now realized the same thing. I don’t want to be fake. So I just started being me. And yeah, I lost a bunch of followers, but I post whatever I want to, perfect or not, and I like it that way ☺
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That’s wonderful that you feel free to post about the things YOU like and enjoy! I agree that it feels great knowing that your content isn’t “fake” like you said. Thanks so much for reading the post!
~ Megan Joy
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I love this post Megan. The real us is always better than a “filtered” us. A filtered version seems that it would end in a disappointment because at the end of the day, we would know it is fake, therefore a lie, and seems it would create insecurity because you’ll never know if people who are “like”ing you really like you, since they don’t know the real you. Now, representing the Almighty, that I can get behind :):):):) I thank God blessing you :):):)
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You’re so right in everything you said! Thanks so much for reading!
~ Megan Joy
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It was my pleasure Megan :):)
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Wonderful post, Megan! I think so many feel utterly discouraged when they view the “perfection” of social media! But actually, people crave authenticity… and we have greater impact when we stay true to ourselves! ❤ and hugs!
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I completely agree! Thanks so much for reading the post! 🙂
~ Megan
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What a lovely reminder. It’s definitely easy to base our self worth on our social media popularity these days 😦 You’ve reminded us all that being yourself is much more important and will make us happier anyway!
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🙂 Aww, thanks so much for reading!
~ Megan Joy
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I don’t know how I missed this post! I apologize.
People enjoy sharing only happy moments often times on social media…or it seems complaints, at least on facebook. But you’re right, we need to be genuine. I would love my social media platforms to grow on the business side to help fill the numbers publishing houses would be looking for. However, I want to earn those numbers through community and connection, best as I can.
There are certainly things we could share or write about that people will relate to and we need to make sure we are doing these things for the right reasons. My main goal is to help connect to others and help people feel not so alone with the hope that the love and light of Christ is shining through. 🙂 Great post, Megan!
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You’re so right! And, yeah, I think social media is a place to share the happy moment in life, or I guess it wouldn’t be enjoyable! 🙂
Also, I totally understand what you’re saying. You 100% write every one of your posts to help others and share love and joy! It’s an amazing gift that you are using well! So many people have been blessed with your words, and that’s what the world need, even if your posts don’t represent your day to day life. But that’s fine because you don’t try to make your readers assume that you have a perfect life, but instead you uplift and encourage and inspire us to have a better relationship with Him, and I admire that! 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your words!
P.S. I’m pretty sure I’ve missed some of your posts, too, so I’ll have to go back and find them! 🙂
~ Megan Joy
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Thanks so much, Megan!!! I appreciate when people keep it real on social media, but at the same time, I understand you may not want to share everything with people who aren’t that close to you, be it distant friends, or complete strangers.
I definitely don’t share my day to day life, and it helps my blog genre isn’t necessarily focused on that. But I definitely push myself to be as open as possible. To expose things I struggle with. I think people relate better that way. They don’t feel like we’re pointing the finger, when we point the finger to ourselves.
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