If social media influencers collectively, started wearing paper bags on their heads as a new form of attire, millions of people would flirt with the idea of doing the same. Of course, this sounds ridiculous, yet the reality is many people would gladly hop onto the new trend. Think, for a moment, the amount of power society has over each and every one of us. Peer pressure is something we are all very aware of, yet many fall victim to this. Rather it be from just a small circle of friends or society as a whole, social acceptance will cause rationally minded, logical people to do ridiculous things. Our fear of not being socially accepted overrides our happiness and emotional well-being.
Consider with me the idea of toxicity. It’s viewed as trendy to many, rather they want to admit it or not. Many people say that it’s all just a satire, not meant to be taken seriously. I argue that what may have at one point been a joke has turned into a craving, for many. Objectively speaking, we must be logical here. Happiness and instability do not hold hands…ever. Happiness is calm, peaceful and consistent. Consistent as in it’s not all over the place, running to a high for its foundation. Its foundation is firm and strong. Toxic is instable, needing a constant high to survive. Toxicity is not happiness; it could definitely be the poison to it though.
Why is toxicity viewed as cool to many? Well, for starters, society views it this way. Social media subtly whispers to our minds without us even realizing it. Just a quick scroll down TikTok and we can see the countless satire pages glorifying toxicity. Jump on Facebook or Instagram and memes make us laugh, thus connecting us emotionally. This in return, causes many to crave the irrational waters of negativity. If toxic was viewed as embarrassing and sad, would it be such a craving for so many people? Imagine if toxic was viewed cringey and weird? If this was honestly the case, it wouldn’t be what it is today. Society’s influence is the ultimate mouthpiece to this. People will lose their own morals and standards to be trendy.
The second reason: toxicity is like a drug. An individual’s emotions bounce around like a ping pong machine. Imagine all the emotions you feel from a nasty argument, the period of distance after and then making up. After a dramatic fight, you only hope that you get back with the one you “love”, anxious and stressed they might leave. When you “make up” after a big fight this is a shot of dopamine to your brain. In a most literal sense, this is what happens. People get caught in a cycle of downs, deeply needing that high to feel normal. Consider a toxic lover like a drug, because in reality both drugs and toxic relationships both have dopamine hits and crashes.
Our society is like your favorite candy, sweet and tasty only to leave your body with less nutrition and minerals. Imagine eating fast-food and candy every day simply because it tastes good? That the instant pleasure is your foundation? Anything that gives you any form of instant gratification typically comes with side effects. Interestingly enough, most things in life that feel good in the moment are actually not adding to joy in the long run. Reality has a funny way of making things that actually contribute to our happiness less noticeable. Typically, what matters to each and every one of us are close family, friends and special moments. Not one of these three are a “high”, yet they are the foundation to your happiness. Become extremely introverted to instant gratification. Deeply consider what it is and if it’s adding to your emotional well-being. take note.
NO ATTACHMENT IS FREEDOM 