Kelly disclosed to me that she felt like she “should” like Van Life because of all the pictures she sees on social media. She thought something was wrong with her for not wanting van life and talked with me about it.
Social media tends to create this feeling of should in people. It causes a comparison syndrome that creates self-doubt and jealousy. Kelly wasn’t even jealous, she doubted herself not wanting van life.
I asked her questions, as a coach does. I asked her, what is it about van life that draws you in? What about van life that is unappealing? How accurate are the pictures of van life? Maybe they stay in a Walmart parking lot more often than disclosed because that picture won’t be a good for the influencer showing off their life of adventure.
Maybe van life is great. Maybe it’s not. Falling into the comparison trap and thinking something is wrong with you because it’s not desirable.
I challenged Kelly to get off of social media for a couple of weeks. She deleted her apps, not her accounts, and she started living life on her terms and not how social media influences people into shoulding.
If you find yourself feeling “wrong” or “shoulding,” then ask yourself,
Do I really want this? If I do really want this, then what do I need to do to make it happen?
Add it to a bucket list but do not feel wrong for not doing or liking something that influencers influence people to want.
Dare to be Different. Dare to be unapologetically Yourself : )