Wasam Alrashidi

Social Media and the Pressure to Succeed 😟

Social media today has become a toxic space when it comes to defining success. Platforms that were meant to connect people now often create unrealistic expectations, especially for young people.

Many people try to convince us that success only comes from entrepreneurship, running a business, borrowing money from banks to invest, quitting your job, or even dropping out of school. They paint a picture where you’re considered “a slave” to your job or “trash” if you’re not a businessman or an entrepreneur.

The Truth Behind Social Media Success Stories 🤔

What social media shows are the achievements, the luxury, and the wins. What they don’t show are the sleepless nights, the failures, the risks, and the sacrifices behind the scenes. With filters and polished presentations, they create an illusion of perfection that’s simply not real.

Success is not exclusive to entrepreneurship. It’s perfectly fine to succeed in your career, job, or other endeavors that align with your passions and goals. I don’t have any issues with people who want to run a business. It’s totally okay for me. My problem with those who say that business is the ONLY path to success and force and convince others to follow their path.

The Hidden Side of Entrepreneurship 📵

These people always ignore the downsides of entrepreneurship. Yes, they might be free to make their own decisions, but they’re often working all day to meet customer demands. They may tell you to leave your job—because you are considered a slave for it or for your boss—but they don’t mention that they’re also slaves to their customers. While they talk about making a lot of money, they never discuss the high risks involved, like losing investments, going into debt, or even going to jail.

Success doesn’t have a deadline ↗

Another toxic narrative is the belief that if you haven’t made it by 25, you haven’t gotten married, and you haven’t had a house, you’ve failed. That’s simply not true. Let’s think about it:

• For your first 10 years, you were a child at your parents house.
• You spent around 12 years in school.
• Then, 5–6 years in college or starting your career.

How can anyone expect to have figured out and achieved everything by 25? That’s not possible. Success is not a race, and no one is chasing you. Many young are millionaires at this age either inherited wealth, relied on marketing skills, took significant risks like borrowing money from a bank, or sold courses to others—like trading and self-development 🙃.

Success doesn’t have a deadline. Barack Obama became U.S. President at 47, Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or at 34, Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, succeeded in his 50s. Those people remind us that success comes with persistence, passion, and hard work, no matter how old you are.

How to Handle Social Media Pressure ⚔

1. Focus on yourself; compare your progress only to your past self, not to others. Everyone’s journey is unique.

2. Remember reality; social media often shows a polished version of life. Don’t believe everything you see.

3. Set your own goals; define success on your terms, not based on what others say.

4. Celebrate your small achievements; small wins matter. Appreciate every step you take toward your goals.

5. Failure is part of the journey; keep in mind that setbacks and mistakes are natural parts of the learning and growth process.

6. Make your own happiness; don’t wait for someone to make you happy, because no one will.

You are the main character of your story. No one else will live your life, so don’t let social media determine your worth. Work hard, believe in yourself, be consistent, be patient, and remember: