Contentment in the Age of Comparision
A little about Addiction UX and how one can remain content in this age of endless barrage of information.
You can be where you are at the moment and still be happy.
But we never are, are we?
LinkedIn has become the new Facebook. Admit it. All you see is folks talking (is boasting a bad word?) about the big moves they are making, joining their dream companies, getting admissions to big universities, becoming entrepreneurs, etc. And that in itself is enough to give birth to the comparison monster.
“Man, people are doing better than me. They are having better jobs, better lives, making tonnes of money, and having a great time.”
Believe me, I thought the same too for the past few months. Until it stressed me out. I thought I would also make a big change — get a new job, go to a new city, and do great things. With these dreams, I thought, why not just float my resume and work around to see how it goes? It was fun in the beginning, but later, it became too stressful. I lost my mind when people didn’t respond or took ages to respond. I completely lost interest in the process. And now, I’ve given up even searching for the job (not completely, I am still sending out applications but not stressing myself out because no one has responded) because I realized something — I am quite happy at the moment, and I am okay to make the shift whenever the moment presents itself. Until then, I am happy doing what I am doing. Yes, on some days it seems routine, but that routine, keeps my sanity intact.
The Pull of Perfection
It’s fascinating how we often forget the cost of these “big moves” we see. What we don’t see are the silent sacrifices — lost weekends, strained relationships, sleepless nights, and self-doubt that come with chasing something we may not even want in the first place. The allure of success, carefully curated and posted for maximum impact, blinds us to what we already have.
And let’s not forget the apps themselves, subtly designed to keep us hooked. The dopamine hit of a like, the thrill of engagement, the “just one more scroll” syndrome. Addiction UX is real, and it’s a battle many of us are losing. It just goes on and on until we realize the amount of time we wasted in doing so. I can vouch for that — I have been in that space where I would mindlessly keep browsing when I could have spent that time doing something else. But that’s how it is no?
Addiction UX: The Silent Puppeteer
Addiction UX. That’s the phrase that keeps buzzing in my head. These platforms, with their infinite scrolls and perfectly timed notifications, aren’t just apps — they’re traps. They tap into our deepest insecurities, amplify them, and then offer a fleeting sense of validation.
Think about it. Why is it so hard to stop scrolling? Because these platforms have mastered the art of tapping into our loneliness, our curiosity, and our fear of missing out. They nudge us to check “just one more post,” and “just one more comment,” until hours disappear. We get so involved in other people’s lives, that we forget about living ours. We keep imagining those things happening to us when we could be spending time making our lives better. It’s a wonder, how a 6-inch device with a bunch of apps has completely devoured our lives and has made us both, mentally and physically unhealthy.
It’s not just LinkedIn, either. Instagram, X, Facebook — they all follow the same playbook. They thrive on our desire for connection, but ironically, they leave us feeling more disconnected than ever. The endless comparison, the silent competition — it’s exhausting.
We keep seeing those perfectly shot photos and reels of every bit of people’s lives, their travels, their families etc. and spiral into that endless trap of “How are their lives better than mine”, and “Why are they happy when I am struggling?” “Why haven’t I figured out life unlike these people?”.
And this goes on and on.
A Shift in Perspective
So where does this leave us?
It leaves us with a choice. To step back and ask ourselves: What do I truly want? Not what looks good on a profile or will rake in the likes, but what actually makes us happy. Because the truth is, you don’t need to be anywhere else to find happiness. It’s already here. In the moment. In the life you’ve built.
This isn’t about giving up on ambition or growth. It’s about redefining success on your terms. It’s about recognizing that the biggest wins aren’t always the loudest ones. Sometimes, they’re quiet moments of gratitude, the freedom to breathe without pressure, the joy of being present. They are also those little moments of happiness you find during the day.
Success can mean different things to different people. For some yes, it is that big showy life, travelling and enjoying while for some of us, it can be following a daily routine of going to work, indulging in hobbies that keep us sane and finding joys in the littlest things. And that’s okay. Nobody defined a success meter for us — we are free to define it for ourselves.
Finding Balance in the Chaos
It’s okay to scroll.
It’s okay to be inspired by others’ achievements.
But don’t let it consume you. Don’t let it make you feel like you’re falling behind when, in reality, you’re exactly where you need to be. Disconnect if you need to. Log out if it feels too much. Uninstall the apps if you want to.
Here’s the thing: balance isn’t about quitting everything cold turkey. It’s about setting boundaries that protect your peace. Like deciding when and how you engage with social media. Maybe you limit your screen time to a specific hour each day, or maybe you turn off notifications altogether. Believe me, the world won’t collapse if you miss a post or yet another reel of a person dancing around.
And while you’re at it, start curating your feed. Follow people who genuinely inspire you, not accounts that trigger your insecurities. Unfollow anyone or anything that makes you feel less than enough. It’s your space — make it one that uplifts you, not one that drags you into the comparison spiral.
More importantly, remind yourself of this: not every moment needs to be shared. Some wins are meant just for you. Some joys are better celebrated quietly. When you stop chasing the perfect post, you make room for living the moments instead of documenting them.
And here’s a challenge: for every scroll through your feed, spend the same amount of time doing something that grounds you. Go for a walk, call a friend, journal your thoughts, paint a picture or just sit with a cup of tea and do absolutely nothing. You’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel when you let your mind breathe.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to ditch technology or ambition — it’s to master them. To use them as tools, not let them use you. It’s about finding joy in where you are, while still dreaming about where you want to go. Balance is knowing you’re allowed to want more, but you don’t have to hate what you have to get there.
