social media bragging rights

i was recently on twitter, and i came across the following article on the wsj http://on.wsj.com/MYk0Qy.
I read the article and it really stuck with me so i thought i'd share my thoughts. 

so if you read the article it pretty much describes what social media has become, or evolved into.  everyone that uses social media whether it be twitter or facebook knows that it entails status updates.  many of which people use to brag about their lives.  but what are we actually supposed to say in these updates, are there guidelines? no, not really.  people are free to say whatever it is they like, positive or negative.  what i've found about most people on these sites is that they use social media to say positive things in their lives that are happening, and rarely do i see negative unless its political or something outside of their personal lives.  i've actually noticed this a lot recently.

i had a recent discussion with a coworker who was discussing this same thing, and i chimed into the conversation giving my two cents on the issue.  i've almost reached the point of removing myself from social media altogether.  removing myself from this so called "positivity".  but is it really positivity that i'm removing myself from? i dont belive so.  like this article mentions most people's positive updates are actually bragging to their friends/followers.  i'm guilty of this as well.  i don't know if we all want to appear perfect to the outside world or what, but sharing the good things (be it bragging) helps to mask sometimes bad things happening in our lives.  unless your life is actually always perfect! because while i'd like to share with people with whom i never talk to all of the negative things that might be happening, i'd rather save those for conversations with close friends or family in face to face meetings or on the phone.

this appearance of being perfect is something that i've always struggled with.  i want to be perfect to everyone, including friends/family.  as sad as that may be, it's the truth.  i want to be the perfect daughter - so i grew up making minor mistakes, never swearing, never partying, never getting bad grades.  i want to be the perfect sister. perfect friend - which i've never felt that i've been good at.  perfect wife - cook, clean, laundry, picking out clothes, making lunches everyday. and man being perfect, or at least trying to, is exhausting!  so i get it when people only share the good.

so let me get back to removing myself from social media, and what i mean by that.  i've gotten to the point that i've taken on a form of jealousy towards others, and i don't like it.  by all this "bragging" going on, i've started to compare myself and my life to others' and theirs.  it's sick really!  i know sometimes i'll be talking to andrew and i'll say something like "so and so traveled here recently we should go", or "so and so....".  "how come....". i recently found a quote on pinterest that says: "what screws us up most in life is the picture in our heads of how it is supposed to be."  i'm creating these images based on others updates about how things such as marriage, friendships and relationships are supposed to be that i'm clouding what it actually is.  i dont know if that makes sense or not, but it resonated with me, and i thought i'd share.  i haven't made my decision yet, because i do use social media to connect with family and friends who i don't see often, but i'm not sure how much more i can handle!  either people shouldn't brag or i should deal with my insecurities!

some people will disagree and that's ok, but i found this article interesting and wanted to discuss.