Finding Ways to Avoid a Total Dislike for Humanity
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Written by Jamie Thompson
Feb. 18, 2022
I find myself nestled in the same corner of the couch each evening after my kids have settled down. Wrapped in a cozy blanket, I open a fresh Diet Coke and indulge in M&Ms while aimlessly scrolling through the void of social media. Before the pandemic, I would occasionally find some posts irritating, but overall, they were a harmless distraction. I used to smile, chuckle, or roll my eyes, leaving the platform feeling entertained.
However, after two years of disrupted routines where in-person interactions feel tense, every post seems like an affront. From home tours to museum outings, each update feels like a jab at my parenting abilities, leaving me feeling inadequate. Seeing someone on a tropical getaway sparks resentment; a friend successfully homeschooling their kids breeds feelings of inadequacy; and large indoor gatherings fill me with confusion and anger. Political posts and carefree memes only add to my growing frustration.
Within mere moments of scrolling, I convince myself that my kitchen is too cramped, my thighs are too large, and I desperately need a wardrobe change. My four-year-old should be riding a two-wheeler, my boys need ice skates, and my husband should know how to craft me a desk from the old wood stacked in the backyard. I end up feeling annoyed with myself and irked by everyone else.
So, what’s really happening here?
Social media, once just a minor part of my social life, has turned into my main connection with others. I used to see people in real life, chat with them, and feel their vibes. But now, with three young kids and a baby born in 2020, I’ve mostly kept my family at home, venturing out only for school and a few carefully managed activities. I’ve swapped coffee meet-ups for deep dives into Instagram feeds, traded joyous laughter at playgrounds for TikTok dances, and replaced genuine human connection with brightly lit squares filled with annoying content and divisive opinions.
Oh, you hiked three miles with your four kids and discovered a baby salamander? How impressive.
Your child is swan diving into the infinity pool at an all-inclusive resort? Fantastic.
You’re avoiding plastic toys for Christmas and banning perishable water bottles at your child’s birthday bash? Kudos to you.
Meanwhile, I’m over here trying to get my daughter to engage in a virtual speech session while washing my sons’ masks, munching on a CBD gummy, and pumping antibodies for my baby.
Everyone seems so loud and insincere, and the content is infuriating. Text messages and simple drop-off chats now feel strained, reduced to exchanges of impersonal information laced with opinions and subtle bragging. But is it the content that’s making me resent humanity—or is it me?
Aside from pandemic-related content, much of what’s being shared remains the same self-absorbed nonsense it’s always been. Yet perhaps my perspective has shifted. Everything feels different when you’re isolated and frustrated. When I see someone doing something exciting, rather than feeling joy for them, I’m reminded of all the opportunities my family has missed. Hearing of others’ accomplishments highlights my insecurities about the choices I’ve made during this time, instead of allowing me to celebrate with them. The annoyance I feel when I see someone’s pristine breakfast or newly renovated mudroom is likely a result of my own burnout.
So, how can I ensure I don’t develop a complete aversion to humanity before this is all over?
The first step is recognizing my emotions for what they are—overblown reactions fueled by two years of pandemic stress. It’s not you, it’s me. Reducing my exposure to social media should help, especially since we know it can be detrimental to mental health. Rediscovering the joy in real-life interactions is also crucial. And, of course—therapy. Because, in 2022, we could all use a little support.
Let’s see how this journey unfolds.
Jamie Thompson is a former lawyer and mother of four who enjoys a good laugh. She resides in Beverly, Massachusetts, and you can find her on Instagram @jamiethompson.