Some time ago, I heard the story of someone who felt worthless simply because of a piece of content they saw on the social media platform TikTok. It wasn’t because they were a bad person, but because the life they were living was deemed too ordinary compared to the standards set by social media. It’s as though happiness is measured solely by how many luxury items one owns or how often one travels abroad. In some cases, people have even divorced because they felt their partner couldn’t meet the expectations set by others on social media.
This phenomenon is not unfamiliar to me. I too have felt left behind when seeing people on TikTok whose lives seem perfect—big houses, vacations to exotic places, or ideal bodies. Yet, I am aware that not everything shown on social media truly reflects reality. It could simply be content carefully curated to appear more appealing and impressive.
TikTok can indeed be a source of inspiration in many ways—business, education, even life motivation. However, there is another side that can make us lose our sense of self, especially when the standards displayed feel unrealistic. One of these is beauty standards. I often see trends showcasing women with flawless faces like Korean celebrities—smooth white skin, straight noses, big eyes.
It’s no wonder that many people compete to meet these standards by using filters, overdoing their makeup, or even buying expensive beauty products just to look attractive on social media. This can have negative effects, especially for teenagers who are still struggling to build their self-confidence. They might feel inadequate simply because they don’t meet the beauty standards that are trending.
Beyond beauty, there’s also the trend of the “ideal body” or “body goals.” A flat stomach, narrow waist, and toned muscles seem to be the main benchmarks. Many end up getting caught up in strict diets or extreme workouts, even if their body type or genetics don’t allow for it. Exercise is good for mental and physical health, but if done disproportionately, it can actually harm oneself.
Not only that, but wealth standards are also often flaunted. I often see people showing off luxury items—branded bags, expensive cars, or grand houses. As if success can only be measured by how much material wealth one possesses. Even the flexing trend is becoming more prevalent, where someone pretends to be wealthy for content. Many end up trapped in a consumerist lifestyle or even go into debt just to appear “capable.” If someone is truly wealthy, that’s fine. But what if they’re not? Isn’t that just harming themselves and others?
Beyond material possessions, romantic relationships are also subject to social media standards. Many couples share romantic moments, such as surprises, expensive gifts, or lavish dinners, as measures of happiness. Yet, a healthy relationship isn’t defined solely by such things. Unfortunately, many people end up feeling dissatisfied with their partners because they compare their relationships to what’s portrayed on social media.
I once heard a story about someone who chose to divorce because they felt that the standards set by TikTok had created unrealistic expectations. According to their story, their partner was deemed “not attentive enough” or “not meeting the standards” as often seen on social media. As a result, they believed they couldn’t achieve the happiness they desired. Ultimately, the pressure to meet these standards eroded the intimacy and true happiness in their relationship.
The main issue with all this superficial happiness is how many people are willing to do anything to meet these standards, without thinking twice. They spend a lot of money on beauty products, follow extreme diets, or buy expensive items to gain recognition from others. Some even lose their sense of self because they are too busy seeking validation from social media.
Yet, true happiness does not depend on branded items, overseas trips, or relationships that appear perfect on social media. Happiness lies in how we accept and enjoy life according to what we have. Instead of constantly chasing standards set by others, wouldn’t it be better to create our own standards of happiness?
Life isn’t about how “impressive” we look on social media, but how we can feel at peace and happy with ourselves. Let’s start living life on our own terms, not based on expectations shaped by TikTok or other social media platforms.