Two unrealistic ideas that social media keeps selling us

With social media ruling so many aspects of our lives, it’s hard to ignore the impact it has on how we see the world and what is considered the norm. Whether you realize it or not, it can dominantly shape what you consider desirable or acceptable. It can influence your career, relationship, or even how you spend your free time.

In many ways, social media acts as a lens (often a distorted one) that only shows you the curated version of people’s lives. It sensationalizes unrealistic behaviors and lifestyles by making them look routine and glamorous, increasing their appeal.

Sometimes, it even makes them seem normal. Endless exposure to highly polished snapshots can distort your sense of what’s practical, making extreme behaviors look ordinary. It creates an illusion that these choices are the standard path everyone must follow. In reality, many of these popularized behaviors aren’t as universal as they seem.

Here are two unhealthy ideas social media has glamorized as normal.

1. Constant Travel

Travel has long been celebrated for its ability to refresh the mind, broaden perspectives, and enhance life satisfaction. Experiencing new places and cultures can spark creativity and foster personal growth. Even short trips or local getaways can provide a mental reset. This allows people to return to their daily routines feeling rejuvenated.

However, social media has changed travel from a personal experience into a public performance. It has contributed to a phenomenon researchers now call “travel dysmorphia,” the feeling that you haven’t seen enough of the world compared with others. This is a feeling many experience.

A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults by Talker Research on behalf of Scenic Group found that nearly seven in 10 Americans experience this. Less than half (48 percent) are satisfied with how much they’ve traveled in their lifetime. A significant portion of respondents cited social media posts from friends, family, and influencers as a key driver. Gen Z was especially affected: 47 percent said influencer content contributed to their travel dysmorphia, and more than half felt like they were “behind” in life overall.

The survey also highlighted the emotional pressure behind this trend. Over a quarter of younger Americans admitted feeling embarrassed about their travel history. Only 10 percent feel they have achieved all of their travel goals.

There are common barriers—cost, work, and family responsibilities—that compound the pressure. This reinforces social comparison via social media, which can be particularly stressful. This way, travel becomes more like a benchmark of success rather than a personal source of joy.

Additionally, a 2025 study published in Tourism Management highlights that more travel doesn’t always mean more happiness. Across a pilot study and five additional analyses, the researchers found an inverted U-shaped relationship between travel frequency and emotional intensity. This means emotional satisfaction initially rises with more travel, but declines when travel becomes frequent enough to lose its novelty.

Social media may make it feel like everyone must constantly be on the move. However, true benefits come from experiences that are meaningful to you, and not from the sheer number of destinations visited or how photogenic the trip appears online.

Everyone’s approach to travel is different. Some people thrive on adventurous, fast-paced trips. Others may find joy in quieter and slower journeys that allow them to unwind and reflect. Your priority should be to emphasize enjoyment and presence over perfection or quantity.

Travel is most rewarding when you prioritize what genuinely makes you happy. We can embrace quality and mindfulness over quantity or perfection.

2. Quitting Your Job to Be Free

In a digitally driven world today, freedom is often portrayed as leaving the traditional 9-to-5 behind and pursuing a life of entrepreneurship, travel, or what is popularly known as “soft living.”

Feeds are filled with influencers showcasing their aesthetically curated home offices and flexible schedules, emphasizing the thrill of being their own boss. Conventional work is now seen as restrictive.

Social media amplifies this with the “hustle culture rebellion.” A standard job has been framed as confining and soul-sucking. Stories of people quitting their jobs to chase passion projects are presented as aspirational milestones. Stable employment, on the other hand, is subtly portrayed as limiting or unambitious. The pressure to emulate these lifestyles can create the impression that staying in a traditional job is a failure or that you are doing something wrong with your life.

However, research published in Trends in Psychology shows that meaningful work doesn’t necessarily require quitting. Employees can proactively create fulfillment through “job crafting.” This means they modify their roles, tasks, and mindset to meet their psychological needs.

Researchers studied 340 Brazilian professionals and found that autonomy and perceived opportunities to craft were the most direct paths to meaningful work. While cognitive crafting, that is, changing the way employees perceive and think about their work, exerted the strongest influence.

This demonstrates that meaningful work is often developed through a proactive approach, rather than by leaving a traditional job. By shaping their roles and mindsets, employees can experience engagement and satisfaction within the existing structures.

Freedom and fulfillment don’t require quitting everything. Leaving a job that no longer serves you can be a valid choice, but the decision can be approached mindfully. Financial stability and a clear understanding of potential risks are essential to ensure the change is sustainable.

The point is to create meaningful experiences and exercise control over your work and life, not from extreme acts for social validation or simply imitating someone else’s choices. Everyone’s circumstances are different. What works for one person may not be feasible or sustainable for you. Without careful planning, quitting could increase stress and anxiety rather than providing relief.

Ultimately, what matters the most is honoring your individual experience rather than following what looks “normal” on social media or elsewhere. Making choices that genuinely work for you will be beneficial in the long run. And they don’t have to seem ideal to others. As long as they support your well-being and fulfillment, they are the right ones for you.