Happiness, Must It Always be Posted?

In the past, before the advent of social media, we could savor every moment more genuinely, without the compulsion to invest extra energy in capturing or recording it solely for the purpose of sharing it with others. Life felt simpler, unburdened by the distractions of meeting the expectations of a virtual audience. Yet now, I sense a fundamental change in how we define happiness. Is the joy we experience truly born from the moment itself, or does it arise because we want the world to see that we are happy? This question often lingers in my mind, challenging the belief that happiness, which should be deeply personal, has shifted to something intricately tied to social recognition.

Ironically, many of us argue that posting on social media is merely a way to preserve memories. But reality tells a different story. There’s a tinge of disappointment when a post doesn’t garner the expected response. A lack of "likes" or the absence of comments from certain people can leave us feeling empty. It’s as if the memory loses its value without external validation, even though, in truth, it was already precious simply by being part of our lives.

Social media also subtly but significantly influences how we perceive the moments we live. Sometimes, we fully immerse ourselves in a joyful moment. However, when that moment goes undocumented—no photo, no video—a sense of incompleteness creeps in. It feels as though something is missing simply because the moment cannot be captured or shared. I believe this is one of the most profound impacts of social media: our standard of happiness has shifted. It’s no longer about how we feel in the moment, but rather how that moment can be seen, evaluated, or even appreciated by others.

Perhaps this is the reason behind the saying, “the best moments are not captured.” When we truly experience profound happiness and want to hold it close to our hearts, we no longer feel compelled to reach for a camera or phone. Our attention is fully immersed in the moment itself, undistracted by the urge to document it. This is precisely what makes such happiness so special—its simplicity, sincerity, and the fact that it doesn’t require any visual proof. There’s a unique beauty in preserving those memories within ourselves, without the need to express them through a screen.

I believe one way to reclaim the essence of genuine happiness is by practicing restraint in our use of social media. Admittedly, this is not an easy task, especially as social media has become a primary source of information. But ultimately, our hearts and minds belong to us—and we have full control over them. We can choose not to let social media dictate how we enjoy a moment or measure our happiness. By taking back that control, perhaps we can rediscover the true meaning of happiness.

There are a few simple yet significant steps we can take to reduce our reliance on social media. For instance, setting daily limits—perhaps just one or two hours a day—can be a good start. Occasionally, we might even try a digital detox, completely abstaining from social media for a full day to remind ourselves of what it feels like to live without the pressure to always stay “connected.” Before posting anything, we can pause and ask ourselves, “Does this truly matter to me?” rather than sharing merely to seek attention or validation.

More importantly, we must cultivate the ability to be fully present in every moment—a practice often referred to as mindfulness. When we find ourselves in a meaningful situation, take a moment to savor the experience without immediately reaching for a phone. Shift your focus and energy away from the digital world and back to the real one—spend quality time with loved ones, engage in deep, uninterrupted conversations, and appreciate their presence fully.

In the end, I believe social media should serve as a tool, not a master. By recognizing this, we can use it more wisely, ensuring our happiness remains authentic and independent of others’ opinions. True happiness is personal; it belongs to us alone and doesn’t need to be shared with the world to hold its value.