[prawn]

I can appreciate that for many, the competitive side of social media is harmful. People compare lives and feel inadequate. But I know others for whom "creating content" is a hobby like photography or film making. I personally find it all very motivating and as a result get to travel a lot and label it work. As you said - it can add purpose for some.

I create content because it preserves memories and/or more than pays for the experience, enabling more trips. I travel, take photos and videos, and then sell media afterwards. Just like other people watch TV or movies, I enjoy editing photos or putting little movies together from footage I've shot while having a glass of wine.

Last year, on a particularly large trip, I took a lot of video to document it: https://shubbo.com/us/ - now I wish I'd taken more. I love looking back over it and reminiscing, as does my family.

Sometimes I feel like you can create content or consume it. I enjoy both.

[ZephyrBlu]

I see what you're describing as healthy because it's first and foremost for yourself, not to impress others.

I also completely understand someone who enjoys something like photography or filmmaking taking the time to document their experiences.

However, I doubt most people who post on social media fall into either of the above categories.

[prawn]

Most people I know online are parents of young children. They, like me, post to share what they're doing with friends and family. Who is really posting their dog soggy at the beach just for selfish attention? They're just sharing their lives with friends. Maybe my social circles are generally fairly wholesome?

I'm a bit socially inept, so if I'm at a gathering and know (from Instagram) someone outside my immediate circle that I'm talking to has recently holidayed with their kids or got a pet or whatever, it's a big help prompting conversation.

For me, appearances and experiences are part and parcel. Let's say I like going on adventures and that I like people to think of me as adventurous. And so being adventurous to demonstrate that I'm adventurous is self-serving. Gets me off the couch in those moments I need a little push.