The mental health impact of the curated self
When you scroll through your social media feeds – whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or even LinkedIn – what do you see? Probably a lot of carefully chosen selfies, success stories, and perfectly edited moments. These aren’t just snapshots of everyday life; they’re examples of what experts call the ‘curated self’. But what does that mean, and why should we care?
The concept of the curated self is all about how we present ourselves online.
Just like a museum curator selects the best pieces to put on display, we do the same thing with our social media profiles.
We pick the coolest photos, the funniest memes, and the most exciting life updates to show the world.
The result is a polished, perfect version of ourselves – one that doesn’t match up with who we are offline.
For example, on Facebook, you might post pictures from your beach trip, share a funny meme, or lol about your friend’s bawdy hen’s night. It’s casual, laid-back, and usually shows off your personal life. On LinkedIn, though, it’s a whole different story. Here, people craft professional profiles, listing their achievements, career milestones, and skills. This platform is more like a virtual CV than a social hangout. Instead of sharing what you did over the weekend, you’re more likely to highlight that certificate you earned or the promotion you got at work.
You might have many sides to your personality, but social media forces you to package yourself differently for each audience. Problems arise when the two versions of you ‘bleed’ outside the platform.
LinkedIn users experience anxieties based on concerns around the personal and social risks associated with personal data that may be algorithmically linked to other digital spaces with little or no regulation or boundaries. You definitely don’t want a potential employer to be confronted with images of that bawdy hen’s night back in 2018!
This need to curate your online persona can create a lot of pressure, especially for young people. The more you edit and polish your posts, the more you start comparing yourself to others who are doing the same. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone else has a perfect life – one that’s more successful, more exciting, or more glamorous than yours.
This cycle can lead to feelings of inadequacy or anxiety. Studies show that scrolling through picture-perfect feeds can make people feel like they don’t measure up, causing stress and contributing to mental health issues like depression and eating disorders.
The curated self doesn’t just affect how others see you – it can also change how you see yourself. When you start living for the likes, comments and shares, it’s easy to lose touch with who you really are. Over time, this blurs the line between what’s real and what’s staged. This can lead to burnout and feelings of inauthenticity.
So, what can you do to break free from this cycle of curation and self-comparison? First, it helps to be aware of what’s happening. Know that what you see online is only a tiny, carefully selected part of someone’s life. It’s not the whole picture. Second, try to use social media in a way that feels authentic to you. Share what genuinely matters, rather than what you think will get the most attention.
Lastly, take breaks. It’s easy to get sucked into the never-ending scroll, but stepping back can help you reconnect with your true self – outside the digital world.
The curated self might be the reality of social media, but it doesn’t have to control you. By being mindful of how you present yourself and how you react to others, you can take charge of your online identity and make social media a space for genuine connection, not just performance. After all, the real you is more interesting and complex than any profile could ever capture.
Stella Pennell is a PhD Sociologist, NZ karate champion, and a curious human being. Watch her episode on the ALTBAYS Table Talk here, and read more of her articles in Coromind here.
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