As a millennial, I grew up during the rise of AOL Instant Messenger, YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. It was an era before social media became a ubiquitous part of society, and back then, there was something different about how we used the internet to connect with one another. It wasn’t about chasing likes or gaining followers— it was about sharing thoughts, expressing our feelings, and forming connections. I feel like we’ve lost a bit of that, and I want to go back to the roots of what social media originally meant for me: genuine self-expression.
Back in the early 2000s, blogging wasn’t a tool for becoming an internet celebrity or an influencer. It was a digital journal, a space where you could write your thoughts, share personal moments, and be heard. My friends and I would use platforms like Xanga, posting whatever was on our minds, whether it was a reflection on the day, a poem, or something as simple as how we were feeling at that moment. There was no pressure to be perfect or to present only the highlight reel of our lives. We just shared, and we did it for the connection, not the validation.
On Xanga, we had “kudos,” a primitive version of today’s “like” button, but it never felt like a competition. If someone didn’t “like” your post, it didn’t feel like rejection—it just meant they didn’t see it. There was no algorithm to shape what was shown to you or how you were presented to others. If you wanted to read someone’s blog, you went to their page intentionally. You had a list of friends—people you actually knew—and the posts you shared were personal, real, and often raw. It was a time when we shared the mundane and the meaningful with equal care, just for the sake of being understood.
What Changed?
Fast forward to today, and the landscape of social media has drastically shifted. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are now dominated by algorithms designed to maximize engagement and attention. These platforms prioritize sensational, performative content over authenticity. We’ve moved from sharing personal thoughts to performing for an audience. This “attention economy” has created a cycle where the validation of likes and comments is often the goal rather than the connection itself. The mental toll is real: social comparison, the desire for external validation, and the pressure to present an idealized version of ourselves have become the new norm.
I see younger generations, who never experienced the earlier days of the internet, craving that sense of authenticity. There’s a longing for the kind of genuine self-expression we once had, before social media became a tool for chasing fame or followers. There’s a hunger for real connection, and I believe that deep down, we all want that—to be seen, heard, and understood without the need to perform.
The Impact of the “Like” Culture
During my year-long fast from Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, I realized just how deeply social media had affected me. At first, I thought I was just distancing myself from the noise. But as I stayed away, I noticed how disconnected I felt from myself. Without the constant stream of validation through likes or comments, I struggled to recognize what I truly wanted and who I really was. I realized that the dopamine I was chasing wasn’t actually helping me grow—it was feeding into my insecurities.
This isn’t to say that social media doesn’t have its benefits—because it does. It helps us stay connected, find community, and even learn new things. But we need to be aware of how it’s shaping our mental health. Social comparison, the desire for more followers, and the pressure to post perfect content can take a toll on our sense of self-worth. And so, I’m choosing to take a step back, to reconnect with myself through genuine self-expression—not for validation, but for the sake of mental clarity and personal growth.
Small, Meaningful Connections Are Restorative
For me, this journey of reconnection starts with journaling through blogging. I’m going back to the digital journal I once had, but now, I’ll share it more intentionally. I want to write my thoughts down to process them, to reflect, and to remember who I am outside of the noise of social media. I’ve also started a podcast—another form of connection that feels more personal and intentional.
I’ve realized that real, meaningful conversations—whether in person or over the phone—are more restorative than scrolling through an endless feed of surface-level content. It’s not about how many people like my post or comment on my picture. It’s about the few people who genuinely resonate with my words, the ones who reach out and connect with me in a way that feels human and real.
The pressure to be liked by everyone is draining. But what I’ve learned is that small, genuine connections are enough. You don’t need thousands of followers or likes to feel seen. A few good friends who truly understand you—that’s what matters. For me, it’s about fostering those connections—whether through a personal DM, a heart-to-heart conversation, or sharing something real on a platform that’s built for authenticity.
Why Blogging Again?
Blogging is making a comeback—not because it’s trendy, but because it offers a return to authenticity. Platforms like Substack are giving creators the chance to share their ideas, passions, and stories directly with an audience. And for me, it feels like a return to the days of genuine self-expression, where the goal is not to get famous but to connect and process thoughts in a meaningful way.
I don’t need to chase likes or play by the rules of an algorithm. Instead, I’ll focus on creating and sharing from a place of authenticity. I’m learning to embrace my own voice, to express myself honestly without the need for external validation. And I’m inviting others to do the same—whether through their own blogs, podcasts, or real conversations.
In the end, I believe that self-acceptance and staying true to who we are is a form of self-love. It’s the unconditional love we show ourselves, and it’s the love we can extend to others as well. We all deserve to be heard, seen, and understood for who we truly are, not for who we’re trying to become based on what others expect.
So, I’m going back to basics: Blogging, journaling, podcasting, and real conversations. It’s my way of detoxing from the noise and reconnecting with what truly matters: genuine self-expression and building deeper, more meaningful connections.
This is your journey too. If you’re tired of the pressure to perform, maybe it’s time to go back to the roots. Blog, podcast, or just have a real conversation. You don’t need thousands of followers—just one person who truly gets you. And in a world filled with performative content, that’s a breath of fresh air.
