Inspiration dies on social media
The constant bombardment of information and inspiration can overwhelm our ability to distinguish what is authentic from what is not, and distort our perception of creativity.
Inspiration seems to have lost its essence in the world of social media. After being disconnected from digital platforms for nearly two months, I have experienced significant personal growth and reflection. Initially, I feared that stepping away from social media would distance me from the creative and social circles I was accustomed to, but I realized I was mistaken.
On Twitter, I used to stay informed about the latest trends and felt overwhelmed by information. On Instagram, I found a constant source of inspiration to fuel my creativity. However, over time, I realized that overexposure to these platforms was affecting my ability to process information effectively.
Twitter had become a polarized space where to be honest, I began to care very little about the opinions of others. It was no longer a reflection of reality but rather a bubble. In my experience, the best design professionals I’ve worked with are not on Twitter and cannot be defined by 140 characters. My fear of becoming invisible within my professional circle faded when I discovered a more enriching world outside of this platform.
Instagram, on the other hand, had become more personal but also more illusory. The seemingly perfect lives of people started to influence my perception of reality. Consuming this type of content became unproductive, and these platforms are designed to keep us hooked for as long as possible.
In terms of inspiration, over time, my eye grew tired of beauty and became saturated with superficial information, which, unfortunately, we were giving credibility to. I finally understood that the lives and opinions of others contributed little, and most of the posts promoted an unconventional lifestyle.
Removing these apps from my life allowed me to use my time more productively, focusing on my family, my thoughts, and building more meaningful social relationships. Now, I have hours in the day to invest in activities that connect me with my true self.
Being constantly bombarded with supposed inspiration can distract us from what truly matters. The final feeling is that everything is valuable and credible. How can we distinguish the good from the bad? When we visit a place constantly, it loses its magic, and the details become ordinary. The same happens with daily Instagram posts about fabulous places; they cease to amaze us and become routine.
Today, I seek inspiration when I truly need it and use different platforms like Pinterest, Behance, and Substrack. I try to give my mind the space it needs to breathe from unnecessary information.
My current approach is akin to that of a fisherman with a fishing rod, carefully selecting what I need instead of casting a wide net. This makes my search for inspiration more productive and prevents information overload.
In my opinion, the future of social media does not lie in moderating its use but in considering the possibility of eliminating it entirely and returning to living an honest and real life.