Social media is in many ways an outlet for giving others a glimpse into your life, the things you like, and your interests. The most rampant pitfall that many fall victim to on social media is forgetting that it's only that, a glimpse. In one day spent online, hundreds of pictures are paraded across our screen; some from celebrities, others from regular people we've made contact with in our lives in some way or another.

One of the most important rules of not becoming ensnared by the trap of envy on social media is to avoid comparing your life to other people's POSTS of their life. Remember that what you are seeing is whatever the other person WANTS you to see, and naturally most people do not want others privy to their hardships. Most people only post the highlights of their life and leave out their struggles and problems. You may look at a person's posts and say "wow, I wish my life was more like theirs," not realizing that even the person behind the post's life is not as it seems. Just because a person does not broadcast their lows doesn't mean they do not have any. Regardless of our lot in life, we all have one thing in common and that is the inescapable fact that we are human, and as such, we all deal with human problems. Remind yourself that there is nothing uncommon to man. We all have feelings, and the very same emotions can manifest themselves through different outlets in different people despite their circumstances. Consider, a poor person may experience anxiety over not having much income, whereas a rich person can experience the same anxiety over securing all they have by fixating on just how much they stand to loose. Different struggles that elicit the same emotional condition.

While social media does have its pitfalls, aside from using it primarily as a way to showcase how great ones life is, many are using it as a force for good by promoting positivity and wellness. Users are using their influence and knowledge to help others by reaching out and sharing their stories of struggle in the hopes that anyone going through something similar can take solace in their experience and better their own lives. Many willingly share health, beauty, fitness, and even social experience tips. To those people we commend you for not being stingy with your knowledge and for inspiring and empowering others. Another important thing to consider is the more time devoted to observing the lives of others, the less times spent living our own. From personal experience, I know just how easy it is to get wrapped up in social network addiction. It's especially easy when things in your life are not going as well as you like to use social media as a distraction or even to live vicariously through others. However, in the long run, these habits have little benefit and you remain at status quo. So instead of remaining in this figurative mental bubble, break free and create moments you can look back on and be glad you went out and did it. 

All things considered, I would like to leave you with this closing thought. The next time you are online and find yourself wishing you had someone else's life, remember you could be out making the most of your own!