Each time I look at Instagram, I get a gut punch.
Everybody’s flaunting flawless skin, expensive holidays, brand new vehicles, and “soft life” schedules. It’s always those same captions—”woke up like this,” or “grateful for the little things”—in front of yachts or private aircraft.
I’m stuck here in Nairobi, doing two jobs just to be able to pay rent. I wake up tired, sleep tired, and hardly have time to breathe, far less pose for photos. My life is nothing like what I see on Instagram. And it’s getting to me.
I do know that some of it is phony, or at least curated, but still—it gets under my skin. I find myself scrolling and thinking I’m not good enough, like I’ve already lost at life just because I can’t pay for fancy shoes or a trip.
I don’t even find myself enjoying being online anymore. But I do feel out of place if I am not. It’s as if I’m trapped in this cycle—yearning to log out, but afraid of missing something.
Are you feeling this way yourself? How do you cope with being grounded in a world where everyone else appears to be living an idealized life in virtual space? Honestly, I could use your advice.