“Instead of scrolling through your feed, pick up a pencil and create something! Channel the creativity you use on social media into making a delicious loaf of cornbread. Cornbread with Friends—now that’s a game worth playing!” — Inspired by Nick Offerman
I propose a new Facebook meme: Tag five people whose posts spark envy in your newsfeed. For instance, I might say: “Today, I feel envious of Laura for her trending blog post on wellness, of Mike for managing to hit the gym three times this week, and of Jenna and Tom, who are enjoying a week-long vacation in Hawaii with their family of four.”
The status update prompt asks, “What’s on your mind?” This meme takes it a step further, offering a glimpse into my thoughts beyond my usual shares about hiking or my attempts at vegan recipes. It would encourage a deeper connection, embracing vulnerability. As psychologist Brené Brown wisely states, “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known.”
The friends I tag would then invite three of their own friends to join in, potentially making this meme spread like wildfire.
I truly appreciate how Facebook keeps me informed about my childhood friend’s new baby and my cousin’s dinner choices. It creates a sense of closeness, and I do find inspiration in the daily motivational quotes shared by my yoga pals. Yet, I can’t deny that some posts leave me feeling a twinge of jealousy. Just last month, Greg from my yoga class shared a profound MLK quote that garnered hundreds of likes, making me question my own contributions. And seeing Emma’s book featured in a major magazine? Why can’t I achieve that level of recognition?
This meme could serve as a form of therapy. It would be enlightening to realize that those I envy—Laura, Mike, Jenna, Tom, Greg, and Emma—are likely envious of someone else themselves. It would be comforting to know that even someone like Tom, who’s off enjoying a tropical getaway, may be wishing for something more, perhaps even a new car like the one Jake just bought.
This doesn’t mean I take pleasure in their desires or struggles, but rather it serves as a reminder that we all crave more. Recognizing this commonality can help ground me and bring me back to a place of contentment.
This idea works for two main reasons. First, realizing that everyone—yes, even those who appear to have it all—are still seeking fulfillment helps shake me from the cycle of envy. It reminds me that true happiness doesn’t stem from accumulating more possessions or experiences.
Second, simply naming an emotion can diminish its power. While I scroll through Facebook, it’s easy to get swept away by envy, feeling defined by it. But by acknowledging and naming that feeling, I separate myself from it, allowing me to connect with my deeper self, which observes envy as just one of many experiences, albeit an uncomfortable one.
Embracing this deeper self is when I feel the most alive and joyful. I know this truth, yet I often forget it, especially while navigating social media. This meme could help me realign my perspective.
I’m not alone in this experience. Research from Humboldt University in Berlin found that one in three individuals felt more dissatisfied with their lives after visiting Facebook. Common culprits included envy sparked by vacation photos and comparisons of social interactions, such as birthday wishes or post likes. A study from Utah Valley University supports this, revealing that the more time someone spends on Facebook, the more likely they are to believe their friends lead happier lives.
This meme could be particularly healing. The Berlin study noted that users who browsed without engaging were most affected. If we open up and share our feelings, it could create a significant shift.
Are you ready to join me in this?
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In summary, the proposed Facebook meme invites users to reflect on their feelings of envy in a constructive way. By tagging friends and acknowledging shared desires, we can create a supportive community that encourages authenticity and vulnerability, ultimately fostering deeper connections.
Keyphrase: Facebook meme for sharing envy
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