Misery Loves Company
As a society we gravitate towards negativity
Have you ever wondered why posts about setbacks, hardships, and tough times tend to get the most attention? Because I've noticed something intriguing about my LinkedIn posts- My best LinkedIn posts are the ones that seem to spotlight my misery or losses. Why is that?
If I had to take a guess, I'd say this is nothing more than just normal human behavior; humans are curious in nature. In a quick look around today's society, it's apparent that we are surrounded by screens, and everyone is obsessed with scrolling- our TVs are always on, and our social media feeds are always active. Between the shows that we watch and the content we scroll through- there appears to be a clear pattern. We, as a society, tend to gravitate towards stories of negativity, pain, hurt, and suffering. But why do we, as people, love to see other people down?
It's a strange phenomenon, isn't it? Although suffering can be a place of learning at times, it seems as if people use it to make themselves feel better. Perhaps seeing others in vulnerable states might lead to an increase in self-worth or an improved perception of how their own lives are panning out. While this can be a bit grim, there's a flip side that's worth considering.
My message has always been simple: be you, be happy. My intent is not to always highlight or romanticize negativity. I don't share my own struggles just to keep people entertained or to attract attention. For me, it's about sparking a conversation on authenticity. It's about helping others to think, reflect, process, and learn. If you know me, you know I'm not one for self-pity or sympathy. Rather, I'm a thinker, a meditator, a processor, and a life-long learner. That's why I love to share the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Although it might appear that we are drawn to negativity, I think there's a deeper reason behind our attraction to these topics. Suffering and setbacks, while tough, can lead to powerful lessons. They cause us to pause, reflect, and hopefully grow. It's not about romanticizing these moments or using other people's pain to feel better about ourselves. Instead, it's about learning from the experiences of others and connecting on a more genuine personal level.
So, what can we do about this? How can we ensure that we aren't using other people's misery to enhance our own self-worth but instead use it as a tool to grow? I think that answer lies in the intention of both the person posting and the viewer.
-G
