Nauman asked this question over at YouTube:

I’m in inferiority complex or a victim of inferior psychology due to چکا چوند کر دینے والی میڈیا psychology plz guide how to get rid of it completely

This is such a big issue and something that I have faced as well.

Social media is becoming a big drain of attention for so many otherwise productive people. And that attention comes with a price: we start comparing our life with the “polished, cookie-cutter” life people present on social media.

The concept of “I woke up like this” is real

The Trap of the Perfect Life

You pick up your phone for a quick scroll.

Reminder: it’s never a “quick” scroll, now is it? It is a trip down “For You” lane.

First it was your friend from school who is vacationing in London. Your neighbor’s brother’s friend just bought a brand-new e-tron. Your ex-colleague who used to work with you, who quit three months ago to start their own business, is posting about his new business “mashAllah hitting one million rupees in revenue”.

This was when Facebook and the like used to work on the “Social Graph” model, where they will show you relevant stories from within your social circle.

TikTok blew that concept out the water. Now it’s Interest Graph. You are shown things that are of interest to you, no matter who created it, no matter where they’re from.

Think of it like this: you were “interested” in knowing about your friend traveling to London, but that “interest” has a general category of “interesting in people travelling to London”, or “interesting in travelling” etc.

This fills up your “For You” feed with highly interesting pieces of content designed specifically and only for you!

And here you are and your boring life.

Social media has turned into a 24/7 highlight reel of success, luxury, and happiness. It’s designed to make you compare—your ordinary day to someone else’s peak moment.

The Comparison Game That No One Wins

Social media only shows the wins.

The struggles, the failures, the quiet hard work? Nowhere to be seen. Well, it is there to be seen, but it is not as interesting as the wins, the successes, the shiny new objects displayed in full glory.

Because social media is designed to keep you on their platforms, they show you the most interesting. And even if people are sharing their efforst and their “how to” videos, they won’t be shown as often, because frankly, you would watch the “win” videos more than the “effort” videos.

Making sense?

This creates a dangerous trap—the comparison game. You start measuring your life against polished, filtered versions of others. And no matter what you do, it never feels enough.

Because when you compare your behind-the-scenes to someone’s highlight reel, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short.

The Hidden Cost of Social Media Psychology

The problem runs deeper than just feeling bad.

1. Your self-worth takes a hit

Seeing success everywhere makes you feel like you’re constantly behind.

2. You develop a scarcity mindset

It seems like everyone else is winning, leaving less room for you to succeed.

3. You chase validation instead of growth

Instead of focusing on real progress, you start posting for likes and approval.

I have caught myself deep in this validation bakwaas way too many times. We start “fishing for likes” to feel good. We start surrounding ourselves with those who never question us or “says it like it is”.

If this continues unchecked, it can lead to inferiority complex—where you start believing you are permanently “less than” others.

Research backs this up: A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that reducing social media use significantly improves mental well-being (source).

So, how do you escape this?

Boosting Your Confidence in a Digital World

I am sharing five things that can help. You can do any one of these. I would suggest you do all five as they are possible to do together. InshAllah

1. Reduce Your Exposure

You are up against some of the biggest companies hiring some of the brighest minds in the world. They want you to “Stay on their platform”. And the more you stay, the easier it becomes to expose yourself to content that is designed to make you feel inadequate.

So first, select the accounts you follow with care. Include things that inspire rather than drain you. Again, there are people making content that is educational, that shows efforts, that gives the right kind of inspiration, you simply need to be more strict about finding that type of content.

Second, set strict time limits for social media use.

2. Shift from Consumption to Creation

Instead of just scrolling, start creating. Write, build, share your knowledge—do things that make you proud of yourself.

Instead of consuming, create on social media. Share your journey of learning. This is how “reputations” are made. Start building yours.

3. Ground Yourself in Reality

Real success is messy. It’s filled with failures, setbacks, and lessons. Talk to real people about their journeys—you’ll realize no one’s life is as perfect as it seems online.

And intellectually, we may say “yes I know” and still see the successes and fall for the comparison trap. That’s why “limiting exposure” is definitely the best strategy here.

4. Focus on Your Own Growth

Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Track your progress in skills, fitness, business—whatever matters to you.

I have tried to share a lot of content on how you can do that. How you can focus on your own growth.

You can start by doing the free Wheel of Life exercise, or invest in the Structure of Success course to start designing your own growth plan inshAllah (700+ students of this course across all Urdu speakers, Alhumdulillah).

5. Try a Social Media Detox

Even a one-week break can reset your mindset. Less comparison, more clarity.

Less “dopamine frying” of the brain, more excitement in things that matter.

A lot more can and inshAllah will be said about this “detox” in the coming days. Subscribe if you haven’t to get emails from me.

Conclusion: Own Your Journey

You are not behind. You’re on your own path.

Social media will always show a filtered version of life—but real success? That happens offline.

So, take control. Reduce the noise. Focus on your growth. And remember: the only person you should compete with is your past self

Make your wheel of life (get the free guide here), get your own scoreboard, and start competing with the right person – you yourself. Bismilla.