The costly reality of the never-ending trend of social media
The need to stay on top of every new social media trend is not only exhausting, but also draining your bank account.
If there’s one thing we’ve understood about social media trends, it’s that they come and go at lightning speed. While social media provides us with creative inspiration and a place to connect, the constant race to stay relevant can take a toll on mental health. Beneath the surface of these fleeting moments lies a common feeling: exhaustion.
speed of trends
Social media trends are designed to move fast. Algorithms prioritize fresh, engaging content, which means creators are under pressure to constantly produce new content. A dance trend may dominate TikTok for a week before being replaced by a cooking hack or quirky meme. outcome? A relentless cycle of consumption where even the most dedicated users struggle to keep up.
Senior psychologist and mental health activist Dr. Arvind Otta explains that the rapid growth of social media trends can overwhelm people. “The fear of not being able to fit in takes away the joy from using social media,” he says. This drive to fit into online communities often results in burnout and frustration. Similarly, Sumalatha Vasudeva, a psychologist at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, says the need to be constantly on the go creates fatigue, which ultimately leads to burnout.
Sanjina Bose, clinical psychologist at Lisun (an online mental health consultation therapy platform), describes it as a “race of algorithms versus real life”.
“People spend countless hours wasted scrolling, isolating themselves from real-world connections, and measuring self-worth through likes and followers. It’s an exhausting process that often leads to anxiety, depression and impostor syndrome,” she explains.
FOMO factor
Fear of missing out (FOMO) has long been associated with social media, but it has been intensified by the constant pace of trends. Users not only want to be informed but also feel obligated to participate – whether it’s recreating a trending video or posting about the latest viral topic. For some people, this pressure to remain relevant can lead to burnout.
Not long ago, the internet was obsessed with the viral Dubai Kunafa Chocolate. Everyone wanted to eat a piece of it. Since obtaining it was a challenge, the idea of creating their own versions of viral chocolates came to the minds of people who were eager to taste or imitate something close to the original Kunafa chocolate bar in Dubai.
Social media is exactly this influential today – so much so that brands have seen it as a fantastic business opportunity and are brilliantly exploiting this trend.
Gayatri Ji, a freelance consultant, says, “It is very disturbing – one moment it is called a miracle, the next moment, it is a potential danger. This is just one of countless examples of opposing sides, each of whom is trying to scare you. It’s mentally exhausting and I wonder how anyone can do it all without getting overwhelmed.”
“For example, recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the benefits of castor oil for digestion, detoxification and skin health, with people pushing to use cold-pressed, hexane-free oil. But then today, I found a reel warning that castor oil contains ricin, a deadly toxin, and it explained how the seeds should be cooked to make the oil safe,” she adds.
Not only is it exhaustive, but it is also expensive.
Every day, influencers introduce a new line of makeup, accessories, bags or jewelery to their followers. Now, imagine millions of influencers urging you to buy something new, follow a trend, or even travel to a new destination every day. You are tempted, and you may even give in to temptation, but how long can you keep doing so? This eventually becomes a significant expense on your bank account.
Maneka Subramaniam, an IT professional, shares, “I love buying new makeup products to add to my huge collection. In the beginning, it was easy when the options were limited, but now it’s a struggle to keep up. Imagination The options were limited, but now it’s a struggle to keep up with not only India but also products from South Korea, Japan, France, America and Germany. We are in competition and we often restrain We forget to realize what it’s doing to our minds.”
Social media burnout: a growing concern
Therefore, the phenomenon of social media burnout is becoming increasingly common.
Dr. Otta explains that burnout manifests in a variety of ways – from stress and disinterest to resentment toward social media platforms. Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and disrupted sleep cycles are also prevalent. Emotionally, individuals may feel isolated, inadequate, or overly conscious of their online presence.
Vasudev agrees that burnout often arises from constant juxtaposition and comparison. “People feel exhausted and inadequate, sacrificing personal well-being to maintain an ideal online image,” she says.
According to Bose, symptoms of burnout include:
- constant self-comparison
- Social media-related agitation or emotional distress
- Increased screen time and poor sleep schedule
- Feelings of disconnection from real life relationships
Impact on daily life and self-esteem
The impact of social media extends beyond the digital realm, affecting daily routines, productivity, and personal relationships.
“The pressure to remain relevant can disrupt daily life,” says Dr. Otta. “People spend too much time online, which can lead to decreased self-confidence when comparing themselves to others.” Vasudev says this constant comparison lowers self-esteem and creates self-doubt, making people feel they must always be ‘on’ to maintain their online persona.
Gen Z: The most vulnerable generation?
The younger generation, especially Gen Z, is particularly influenced by trend-chasing culture.
“For Gen Z, their online presence is tied to their identity,” says Dr. Otta. “The pressure to keep up with what’s popular impacts their self-esteem.” “Growing up in the digital age makes them more susceptible to fear of missing out (FOMO), which causes significant mental stress,” says Bose.
However, Millennials are no different.
Practical Steps to Break Free from Trend-Chasing
Experts agree that breaking the cycle of trend-chasing requires a conscious change in social media habits. Here is his advice:
set boundaries: Limit screen time or set specific periods for checking social media. Apps that track usage can help.
Curate your feed: Follow accounts that inspire and match your values. Unfollow people who generate stress or comparison.
Pay attention to authenticity: Post content that reflects your true interests instead of chasing trends.
Engage in offline activities: Rediscover hobbies, nurture personal relationships and spend time in nature to regain balance.
Practice Mindfulness: Consider your motives for posting and consider whether it is for self-expression or external validation.
Try a gradual detox: Start with short social media breaks and gradually increase them to make the transition easier.
Ask yourself some questions: When you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase after seeing a viral trend, stop and consider:
Do I really need this?
How often will I use it?
Can I reuse it 3-4 different ways?
If you can confidently answer “yes” to all of these questions, then go ahead and buy it! Otherwise, it’s best to let it pass.