Why Do People Always Want to Look Good on Social Media?

I used to have a friend who loved to spend money on expensive restaurants and do live streams on social media. But when she got sick or had an urgent matter, she would come to me to borrow money. I don't like lending money because I know that mostly they will not give it back. Let's say that she would give the money back to me, but she might still keep borrowing money again in the future. She will not learn.

I have seen some people flexing on social media, but the next story is crazy. I used to know this person who would often say that being a woman means having your own business and not depending on any man. She would criticize me for not having a business and still working for a company. But, ironically, my monthly income is higher than her business income. Once, when I provoked her about this, she responded, 'I do business not for money, but for passion. How can someone create a business but not know the basic meaning of what business is yet criticizing other people? Whyyyyyy......

But then, she has to work for a company too, because off course everyone need money to survive. 

Okay, I am not perfect either, so I am going to talk about myself. I use my Facebook to repost funny memes, and I use X to complain to some company like Grab or Gojek (it's fastest way to reach real people) or to criticize the system in Indonesia. But for me Instagram is different. On Instagram, I post often during traveling, but usually only once every few months. But because I have a nice Instagram grid, I have to post three similar photos in a row to keep it tidy. Of course, I curate them—I choose only good photos of me, my travels image and my dog.

But I do sometimes post image to reply someone who trash me, not directly, but with good quotes. Mostly, those people already get mad just from reading a good quote. Hehe...

Back to why people want to look good on social media,

Here are a few reasons that i found why people want to look good on social media:

• Validation and Approval: Social media provides instant feedback through likes, comments, and shares. Positive responses can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of validation and approval from peers.
• Social Comparison: People naturally compare themselves to others. Seeing others’ curated, seemingly perfect lives can create pressure to present their own lives in the best possible light to measure up.
• Identity and Self-Expression: Social media is a platform for expressing identity. By sharing carefully selected aspects of their lives, people can craft an image that aligns with how they want to be perceived by others.
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): There’s a desire to showcase participation in popular trends or events to avoid feeling left out and to signal social inclusion.
• Networking and Opportunities: A polished social media presence can open doors for professional opportunities, collaborations, and networking. It can serve as a digital resume showcasing one’s lifestyle, achievements, and personal brand.
• Social Pressure: There is often an unspoken expectation to conform to the aesthetic and cultural norms prevalent on social media platforms. This pressure can drive individuals to present themselves in ways that gain social acceptance.
• Escapism: For some, curating a perfect social media profile is a way to escape from the imperfections of real life. It allows them to create an idealized version of their existence.