Let’s be honest: it is hard not to feel jealous when you scroll. How can you look at a skinny girl in a bikini on a yacht holding a cocktail, or someone driving a Bentley, building a dream house, or traveling the world with “unlimited funds” and not feel a little behind?
For most people, the first emotion is jealousy. And then right after that comes the spiral: “What am I doing wrong?” “Why aren’t we there yet?” “How did they get so rich?”
What social media doesn’t show is that everyone moves at a completely different pace. It rarely shows family money, debt, risky investments, failed businesses, years of hard work, or the 90% of people who never make it to that level. There are always posts about a 21-year-old millionaire or a 30-year-old millionaire, but that is not the norm. In fact, only about 1% of people in their 20s are millionaires. Yet social media makes it feel like it’s happening to everyone but you.
The reality for most young couples (including us) looks very different. Right now, my husband and I are living in a two-bedroom apartment with our dog. We have big dreams: a family, a bigger income, flexibility to travel the world, and a new truck one day. But that time is not right now, and that’s okay.
One of the biggest dangers of social media is that it makes people want things faster than they can reasonably afford them. That’s when bad financial decisions happen. Unnecessary debt. Living above your means. Buying the car, the trip, or the lifestyle just to “keep up.”
The truth is, the people you see online usually got there one of three ways:
they invested for a long time, invented a product, or built/owned a business. It didn’t happen overnight, even if the video makes it look like it did.
Here’s my honest advice: only open social media if it motivates you, not if it makes you feel behind. If it fills you with jealousy, comparison, or anxiety, that is not inspiration. That is self-sabotage in disguise. Without social media, I genuinely think most people would be happier because they wouldn’t wake up every day comparing their real life to someone else’s highlight reel.
Instead of rushing your timeline, learn to be content right where you are while still working toward where you want to go. Slow growth. Smart choices. Realistic expectations. That is what wealth actually looks like for the majority, even if it isn’t “aesthetic” enough for Instagram.
And I promise you this: the peace that comes from moving at a steady, healthy pace is worth way more than any fake lifestyle you could finance for the internet.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is based on our own experience and should not be taken as financial advice. Everyone’s situation is different—find what works best for you and your family.
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