Let’s be real — we’re all online, all the time.

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, notifications, DMs, reels, likes, followers, “seen-zones”… it’s endless. At first, it was fun — a way to stay connected, stay updated. Now, it feels like we’re all constantly performing.

? So what’s the issue?

Lately, I’ve noticed something — in myself, in my friends, even in strangers online.
We’re exhausted. Not physically. Mentally.
Scrolling for hours and still feeling like we’re missing out. Seeing people post their “perfect” lives and feeling like ours don’t measure up. And worst of all? Feeling anxious when we’re not online.

That’s called digital burnout.
It’s real. And it’s everywhere.

? Why is this happening?

Because the line between real life and online life is blurred.
We’re not just living anymore. We’re curating. Editing. Filtering.
Even sadness has to be “aesthetic” now.
Even happiness feels incomplete without a story upload.

We’re told:

• “Don’t fall behind.”

• “You need to be visible.”

• “Keep your audience engaged.”

But at what cost?

? Personal moment

A few weeks ago, I took a short break from social media. Not for a trend — just because I felt tired.
And I kid you not — the silence felt scary at first. No vibrations. No pings. No one “reacting.”
But then something happened: I started sleeping better. Thinking clearly. Even enjoying moments without feeling the urge to capture them.

It made me realize — maybe we’ve been online for so long, we’ve forgotten how to just be.

? So what can we do?

I’m not saying delete everything and move to the jungle (unless that’s your thing). But maybe:

• Put the phone down during meals.

• Turn off notifications at night.

• Take a weekend break from socials.

• Talk to a friend in person — like, really talk.

? A reminder for all of us

You are not your follower count.
You are not your engagement stats.
You are not behind in life just because someone else is posting vacation photos every other week.

You’re human. And it’s okay to log out and breathe.

Final thought:
Don’t let your mental peace become a casualty of digital performance.
Sometimes the best way to connect with life… is to disconnect for a while.

— Sujon Rana