Do you feel the pressure of having a bucket list due to social media?

[arunima]

Recently, I met a adolescent in my counseling session who was feeling very low. He said that he feels depressed. But depression is a strong word for his condition. Parents say that he is behaving this way ( rude and lost) from last few months and things are getting worst with each day. His social skills and academics are being impacted too. Parents thought it as a phase of adolescence, but the water has now crossed the bridge. They feel bad for their son. I had few counseling sessions and found out that this 16 years old boy has a wonderful family and loving Parents. All was going good till he got his smartphone on his birthday and he joined Instagram. Now, he is feeling left out ( FOMO, as they call it). His peers have a colourful life with so many things on their bucketlist. They are traveling, taking challenges, going for adventures, making reels etc. He started feeling that his life is nowhere close to theirs..and he felt that he doesn't have a worthy life with nothing in his bucketlist. He also felt bad that his parents are so simple with their lifestyle.
So, once a happy child who cherished his parents and simple life turned so lost and feeling low.
How about us as adults? Do we go through the same as an adult?
Share your views.

 

[Hazel]

Social media can definitely make a bucket list feel like a pressure rather than just inspiration. Seeing others’ achievements constantly can create unrealistic expectations. I try to focus on personal goals instead of comparing myself to online highlights.

 

[Brem]

I haven't lived a glamorous life by any means and I am very content with my life. I don't have any pressure to do the things on my bucket list, though I never really thought to make one. There are things I want to do before I die though, like traveling to Japan, going to WrestleMania, seeing the Green Bay Packers play either at home or in the Super Bowl, meeting my favorite celebs, etc. But I don't have any pressure to get them done fast. Even though I haven't lived a glamorous life, I don't think I'd change much, because I was surrounded by family that I was happy to be around. I hope I continue to be surrounded by family until the day I die. Because even if I don't fulfill what I want to do on my bucket list, I will still have my family to keep me happy.

 

[Nomad]

Thankfully, I do not have FOMO. I do what I like to do or what I can do, I don't feel pressurized just because some people are doing it or are able to do it. Well, I do have desire, I do want to travel,. enjoy life, buy luxury, etc. but inability to do things or have access to things does not make me angry or frustrated.