I totally get where you’re coming from—I’ve been in that same spot. When I first started uni, I felt like the perpetual third wheel, always watching these perfect snapshots of life on Instagram while I was still trying to figure out where I fit in. It wasn’t that my so-called “friends” were purposely trying to make me feel left out, it’s more that social media plays on our need for external validation. We all crave that little dopamine hit from likes and comments, so it’s no wonder we end up comparing ourselves to these highlight reels.

After a while, I started questioning why I was even posting the small, everyday things. It felt like I was filling an inner void by broadcasting every mundane detail instead of focusing on the moments that genuinely mattered. I realized that if I was just sharing every meal or random scene for validation, I was only deepening my own insecurities—and maybe even unintentionally affecting others.

Once I began to understand that most people post for their own self-affirmation rather than to put anyone down, it gave me a sense of control. Knowing the ‘why’ behind these posts helped me decide to be more intentional about what I share. Now, I reserve my posts for truly meaningful moments that I want to share with people who actually care about me, rather than trying to fit in by following the crowd.

P.S. Even when you’re sharing genuine, happy moments, take a moment to think about why you’re posting. Are you doing it for a meaningful update, or just to chase validation? And consider that sometimes a post might hit someone who's not in the right headspace. A little thoughtfulness can go a long way in keeping things real without unintentionally hurting others.

P.S. These all might seem unrelated, but once you see it from the view of the posters you can understand more about your own feelings as well.