Consumerism and social media overuse can have a disastrous impact on one’s quality of life.
Whether it’s the need for social acceptance or too much focus on the material stuff, these two things combined tend to have a destructive nature.
Moreover, consumerism and social media also affect people’s perception of others. And, it turns out that how we approach our relationships with people is also influenced by these two factors.
Here are three ways in which these two things distort friendships and their true value.
How Do Consumerism & Social Media Affect the Value of Friendship?
- The cult of unreal
The ongoing desire to be a likable person and to leave a good impression on others is in humans’ nature.
However, thanks to social media, it’s transformed into something bigger and more harmful: a continuous craving to get attention, no matter how much of it we’re already getting.
People today, especially social media users, are trying to present an ideal part of their lives. This isn’t just about their physical looks, but also a demonstration that they have the ideal friends, the ideal romantic relationship, and the ideal life.
This obsession with perfection has influenced our real lives. Today, being fake nice is considered a more normal attitude than bluntness and honesty.
Today, everyone expects everyone to be friendly, smiling, and to be skilled in small talk, no matter how we really feel about the people we’re talking to.
Although this may be good to connect with more people, it doesn’t really help you create genuine and strong friendships.
- A give-and-take approach to relationships
The mindset of consumers is rooted in our thinking on a variety of levels.
We’ve learned that everyone and everything seems to be an object of consumption, without us being aware of this.
Therefore, many individuals approach relationships in a give-and-take manner, whether it’s friendship or romantic involvement.
Namely, today, it seems that everyone is exactly aware of their expectations, needs, and wants from others. However, when it comes to the real moment, when they need to do something for the other side, they’re not giving themselves 100 percent.
Our generations of takers are nurtured by a consumeristic society that has learned how to put themselves first always.
Although this is good for us and having strong boundaries can benefit our mental health, there are times when we need to offer our help and support.
And, real, genuine friendships will require plenty of moments like this.
The true value is in the meaningful conversation, reciprocal interest, and genuine connection without a hidden agenda.
- Everything can be replaced
Today, a consumer’s mind is that relationships (and anything and everyone) can be replaced. This is a result of our abundance and the loss of the meaning and value of people and things.
For example, some 70 years ago, people would’ve repaired their broken kettle rather than thrown it away. Today, you just toss it away because you know you can buy one right away.
This has also led to the creation of a wrongful stance that people can be replaced too. But this is never the case.
Genuine relationships require dedication, effort, and overcoming things together, but also being there for each other when it’s hard.
It’s not a strong relationship if we don’t work on it. However, today, many younger generations believe that if something isn’t working out that they can move on to the next person.
Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more challenging to recognize the traps of consumerism and social media; however, this is the society we’re living in today.
It’s difficult but not impossible. Value everything you have and everyone around you and never take someone for granted.
Honest friendship requires dedication and plenty of effort, but it’s worth it!
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