Here’s Why Spending New Year’s Eve on the Couch and Scrolling Social Media Is a Recipe for Anxiety
New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a time of reflection, celebration, and hope for the year ahead. But for many of us, it can also be a night that stirs up anxiety. For me, this past New Year’s Eve started off like any other—quiet, cozy, and low-key. Little did I know that a simple evening on the couch with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve would soon take an unexpected turn into a spiral of anxiety, all thanks to social media. Here’s why I think spending the night scrolling through feeds is a recipe for stress, and what I did to course-correct when I noticed the shift.
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: The Calm Before the Storm
At first, I was perfectly content. I had no intention of going out and was in no rush to make any grand plans. I was happy on my couch, watching lip-syncing performances and waiting for the ball drop in my own little world. The quiet simplicity felt just right—no pressure, no obligations, just me and the TV. But little did I know, that would soon change.
Commercial Breaks and the Social Media Trap
The dangers of live TV? With commercial breaks, you’re left with nothing to do but... scroll. And that’s exactly what I did. At first, it felt innocent enough—just a quick check on Instagram to see what everyone else was up to. I scrolled through a few posts, saw some friends celebrating in grand ways, and maybe even smiled at a cute dog video. But before I knew it, my "quick check" had turned into an endless feed of photos, stories, and updates.
The Anxiety Sets In
As I continued scrolling, I was suddenly bombarded with images of everything from sushi spreads and champagne toasts to heartfelt year-in-review recaps—proposals, weddings, babies, travel adventures, the list went on. Everyone seemed to be celebrating in big, dazzling ways. My quiet evening on the couch now felt, well, less than. My once content state was now replaced with a growing sense of anxiety.
I started to feel like I was missing out. I compared my own year to the "highlight reels" I saw on social media, and with every post, I felt more behind. Was I supposed to be doing more? Was my 2024 not exciting enough? Had I somehow missed out on opportunities for growth or connection? The familiar FOMO (fear of missing out) crept in.
The Comparison Trap
But FOMO wasn’t the only issue. The real trouble started when I began comparing my life—not just to the celebrations I was seeing, but to the curated perfection of others’ year-end recaps. How many life milestones had I missed? How much had others accomplished? It’s easy to look at someone else’s seemingly perfect year and forget that social media only shows the highlights. We rarely see the struggles, the lows, or the hard work behind those moments. But in that moment, I was blind to that reality. All I could see was a series of picture-perfect moments.
Pattern Interruption: Recognizing the Shift
Thankfully, I caught myself before I spiraled any further. I realized what was happening: my quiet, intentional New Year’s Eve was turning into something much less peaceful. I was letting social media take me out of the present moment. I was no longer focusing on enjoying the time I had, but rather getting lost in the world of comparison and anxiety.
Recognizing this was key. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rabbit hole of comparing your life to others, especially when social media fuels it. But the first step in dealing with it is awareness. I had to pause and ask myself: Is this really serving me? The answer, of course, was no.
You’re Not Alone
If you’ve felt this too, you’re not alone. Social media has a way of distorting our perception of reality, especially during times like New Year’s when there’s pressure to have a grand celebration or an "Instagram-worthy" experience. But it’s important to remember that your journey is your own, and your worth is not tied to how it compares to others’ highlight reels.
The truth is, it’s okay to be still. You don’t have to be out celebrating with a huge crowd to mark the start of the new year. In fact, the quiet moments—whether alone or with a few loved ones—are often just as meaningful, if not more so. It’s about honoring where you are, not where others are.
Take a Deep Breath and Disconnect
So, what did I do when I realized I was caught in this anxious loop? I put my phone down. I took a deep breath. I reminded myself that this night was about me—about how I wanted to spend it, not about what everyone else was doing. I needed to reconnect with the present moment. It wasn’t about perfection or comparison. It was about appreciating the peace I had found in my quiet celebration.
If you find yourself feeling the same way—whether on New Year’s Eve or any other time—take a step back. Take a deep breath. Remember, social media doesn’t show the full picture. It’s okay to step away from the feed and be present with yourself, with your feelings, and with your own journey.
Be Present with Yourself This New Year’s Eve
As the new year begins, remember: You are exactly where you need to be. The most important thing is how you feel—not how it looks to others. New Year’s doesn’t have to be a spectacle. It’s about setting your intentions for the year ahead and honoring what truly matters to you. If scrolling social media leads you down a path of anxiety, it’s okay to disconnect and be present in the now.
If you’re looking for ways to support your mental well-being in the year ahead, consider incorporating mindfulness and intentional habits into your routine. Follow us @PresentlyBracelets to learn more about building better, healthier habits in 2024 and beyond.
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