Social Media and Self-Worth: How Likes Are Rewiring Our Brains”

 


Let’s talk about something a lot of us feel but rarely say out loud:

Why do we let a bunch of hearts, likes, or comments decide how we feel about ourselves?

You post something a photo, a thought, a video that felt really “you”  and it doesn’t get much attention.
And suddenly, you feel kind of rejected. Unseen. Maybe even embarrassed.
You delete it. Or worse, you start questioning yourself:
“Was I being too much?”
“Maybe I’m just not interesting.”
“Maybe no one cares.”

Sound familiar?

Yeah. Me too.

It’s Not Just in Your Head — It’s in Your Brain

Here’s the wild part: it’s not just about insecurity.
It’s literally how our brains are reacting.

Every time we get a like or comment, our brain gets a hit of dopamine the same “reward” chemical that lights up when we eat chocolate, win money, or fall in love.
It feels good. So we keep chasing it.
Not just for fun  but for validation.

We start posting for applause, not for expression.
We scroll, compare, edit, delete, refresh.
And all the while, this tiny, quiet part of us starts to believe:
"If no one reacts… maybe I’m not enough."

From Creative to Performative

Social media was supposed to be fun.
A way to connect, share, create. And sometimes, it still is.

But somewhere along the way, it shifted.
Now, we feel this unspoken pressure to look like we’ve got it all together perfect skin, perfect days, perfect feeds. 

We show the wins, but hide the losses.

  We filter the photo and the feelings.

And when we don’t perform well?
We internalize it.
We let numbers  literal pixels on a screen shape how we see ourselves.

It’s exhausting.
And honestly? It’s not real life.

You Are Not a Number

Here’s what no app will ever remind you:
Your worth isn’t up for algorithmic approval.

Not every moment needs to be shared.
Not every thought needs to be liked.
Not every photo needs to go viral to be valid.

You are more than a feed.
You are more than content.
You are more than what people see in 15 seconds.

You are allowed to exist without being witnessed.


x: @NdayisengaRebe2

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