We live in a world where consuming media—whether it’s TikTok videos, YouTube tutorials, or
Instagram posts—has become second nature. For creators and consumers alike, it’s part of the
daily rhythm. But as I’ve learned, this habit can be both incredibly helpful and quietly harmful.
The Helpful Side of Media Consumption
Being familiar with the creator space, I’ve found that making content is one of the best ways to
learn. You start to recognize trends, experiment with new ideas, and figure out what truly
resonates with your audience. You become more adaptable—pivoting when something isn’t
working and refining your niche over time.
And beyond creating, consuming others’ content can be just as educational. You discover tools,
perspectives, or even entire topics you never knew existed until someone shared them online.
Inspiration often comes from seeing how others express their creativity.
The Hurtful Side: When It Starts to Drain You
But then there’s the flip side—the one we don’t talk about enough: comparison.
Comparison is the silent thief of joy. You post something you’re proud of, but someone else
doing the same thing gets triple the engagement. Suddenly, you’re not celebrating your work;
you’re questioning it.
And if you’re not careful, burnout sneaks in. What once felt like a fun, creative outlet can start to
feel like an obligation. You stop creating out of passion and start doing it out of pressure.
My Advice: Balance and Perspective
If you’re a creator or even just an avid consumer of online content, here’s what’s helped me:
● Adjust your mindset. Don’t see underperforming posts as failures—see them as data.
Each one is a lesson about what to try next.
● Take breaks. It’s okay to disconnect. Creativity needs space to breathe.
● Recenter your “why.” Remember why you started in the first place—it probably wasn’t
for the likes.
Social media can be an incredible teacher, but like anything powerful, it needs moderation. The
goal isn’t to quit consuming—it’s to do it consciously.
