Dopamine hit

We post, we get likes — and for a brief moment, those likes make us feel happy.

It’s fascinating: we rarely know what someone actually thinks or feels when they tap that little thumbs-up.

But our brains still interpret it as validation. A signal that we’re seen. That we matter. That our experiences are worth something.

And truthfully, most of us enjoy that feeling. It’s human.

But personally, I’ve realized something about myself:

I’d rather share the meaningful moments with my closest friends. When I send something directly to them — a win, a struggle, a random thought — their reaction feels far more genuine than a wall of digital approval from people who don’t truly know me.

There’s nothing wrong with posting publicly. It’s just important to remember why we’re doing it.

Are we sharing to connect, or sharing to be validated?

The answer probably says a lot about what we need — and what we value.

We live in a time where sharing has become second nature. Birthdays, breakups, wins, new haircut, grumpy today, losses everything ..... ends up online. But posting every detail of our lives comes with consequences we don’t always see.

When we share constantly, we start measuring our experiences by how they perform rather than how they feel.

Moments become content.

Memories become metrics.

And slowly, our sense of self shifts from who we are to how we appear.

Oversharing also invites comparison.

When everyone is broadcasting their curated highlight reels, it becomes easy to question whether our own journey is enough. We forget that what we see is edited, filtered, polished, and often incomplete.

And perhaps the biggest impact: the more we expose, the less we protect.

Privacy isn’t just about secrecy — it’s about setting boundaries, identity, and emotional safety.

Some things are simply healthier when kept close, not broadcasted.

Sharing isn’t inherently bad. Social media can be a place for connection, inspiration, and community.

But not every thought needs an audience.

Not every moment needs validation.

Not every part of your life belongs online.

Sometimes the most meaningful experiences are the ones you keep for yourself.