Episode 8: Social Media vs. Reality — The Cost of Keeping Up

Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind

Date: 24 June 2025

📸 “We scroll, we compare, we suffer — silently, financially, emotionally.”

Ritika, a 29-year-old HR executive from Bengaluru, had a stable job, a decent apartment, and a warm circle of friends. Yet every evening, as she scrolled through Instagram, a strange sadness crept in.

College classmates were posting photos from their Europe trips. Former colleagues were buying new cars. Influencers her age were showing off luxury brands, rooftop dinners, and #retireby30 dreams.

Feeling behind, Ritika began making “upgrades” she couldn’t afford — new clothes, EMI for the latest phone, expensive brunches “for content.” Her credit card bills exploded. Her anxiety grew. She began smiling more online, but sleeping less offline.

One night, as she stared at her phone in tears, she whispered to herself: “I don’t even know who I’m trying to impress anymore.”

🔍 The Invisible Burden of Digital Appearances

Social media is not inherently bad. It connects, inspires, educates. But it also distorts reality, especially when it comes to wealth and success.

People rarely post:

• Their bank statements
• The EMIs behind their cars
• The breakdowns behind those Bali sunsets
• The debts behind those destination weddings

Instead, we see curated fragments — the best 5% of someone’s life, edited and filtered — and then compare them with 100% of our own unfiltered truth.

This comparison leads to:

• Impulse spending to “keep up”
• Insecurity about our careers, homes, even our food choices
• Shame for not “achieving enough”
• Debt in the name of social status

And worst of all — a fragile self-worth tied to false perceptions.

🧠 The Psychology of Comparison

When we feel behind, our brain triggers scarcity mode:

• “I’m missing out” → leads to emotional purchases
• “Everyone is doing better” → leads to depression or envy
• “I must prove I’m successful too” → leads to financial overreach

What starts as scrolling becomes self-sabotage.

💡 Strategies to Reclaim Peace from the Pressure

1. Curate your feed — for healing, not hurting.

Follow people who share real struggles, not just highlight reels. Unfollow those whose posts trigger anxiety — even if they’re friends.

2. Practice mindful scrolling.

Set a 15-minute timer. Ask yourself after: “Did this inspire me or exhaust me?”

3. Create, don’t just consume.

Post about real moments — simplicity, gratitude, learning. Help others escape the perfection trap.

4. Budget > Branding.

Never spend more for the sake of a picture. Remember: The likes fade. The debt remains.

5. Talk about it.

Normalize saying: “I’m not buying that right now — it’s not in my budget.”
or “I admire your success, but I’m on my own journey.”

💬 The Real You is Enough

Ritika eventually logged off for a month. She found peace in her evening walks, started journaling her goals, and posted her first #DebtFreeJourney update — no filters, just honesty. The comments she received were not jealous emojis, but heartfelt encouragement.

Her new mantra?

“Likes can’t pay my bills — but discipline can build my future.”

🌈 You’re Not Behind — You’re On Your Path

What you don’t have today doesn’t define your worth.
You don’t need to impress anyone with things you can’t afford.
You need to protect your peace — and build a life that feels good offline, not just one that looks good online.

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🔜 Next Episode Teaser:

Episode 9: Generational Poverty — When Burdens Pass Through Bloodlines
We’ll explore how inherited financial struggles affect mindset, opportunities, and emotional health — and how to begin breaking the cycle.

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Disclaimer:
This blog series is intended for informational, motivational, and emotional support purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, legal, or mental health advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing overwhelming financial stress, mental health issues, or suicidal thoughts, please seek help from a certified financial advisor, counsellor, or licensed therapist. If you are in immediate danger or crisis, contact a mental health helpline or emergency service in your area.

The stories presented here are inspired by real experiences but may be anonymized or adapted for narrative clarity. Readers are encouraged to make decisions based on their unique circumstances and to consult appropriate professionals. The author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for actions taken based on this content.