Thriving Professional Life Undermined by LinkedIn Comparisons

Reflecting on my professional journey over the last decade and a half, there's much to celebrate.

Despite a slew of accomplishments, scrolling through LinkedIn triggers self-doubt as I measure my success against others'. I've decided that approaching it as just another social media platform with care is crucial.

If I could converse with my 20-year-old self today, what would she think of my journey?

During the past 15 years, I've achieved notable feats, from contributing to high-profile magazines like 'Psychologies' and 'Cosmopolitan' to establishing a robust freelance career and purchasing my first house at the age of 30. These milestones should make me contented.

However, just a session of mindless scrolling on LinkedIn spirals me into despair — a metaphorical tossing of my laptop out a window. Every time I check LinkedIn, I feel an emotional nosedive watching peers announce book deals, promotions, or globetrotting adventures.

My articles' significance dims next to their celebrated achievements, yet I'm compelled to keep looking.

Realizing the LinkedIn Addiction

The transition from infrequent check-ins to an embedded daily habit is a blur. Initially, a weekly visit sufficed to manage new contacts or to catch writing opportunities through direct messages. Everything seemed effortlessly manageable then.

As we moved into 2023, the platform began feeling less like a professional networking site and more like an arena for boastful declarations.

Suddenly, my feed overflowed with posts about smashed sales targets, bold career pivots, and a cascade of engagements — no different from a revamped Facebook, albeit polished for professional networking.

Seeking Expert Insight

To understand why LinkedIn negatively impacted my self-view, I consulted Jackie Daniels, who directs clinical development at Indiana Center for Recovery.

According to Daniels, social comparison theory suggests we gauge our success by evaluating others', which LinkedIn accentuates with its never-ending display of selectively curated professional accomplishments. These posts — awards, promotions, humble brags — promote a viral wave of exaggeration.

Throughout my career, the notion that networking equates success has been driven home, making LinkedIn's environment of self-praise not surprising.

The Unyielding Urge to Check, Despite the Cost

Each viewing brings a racing heart and trembling self-worth, yet after closing the browser, I find myself back within minutes.

"Anxiety can prompt more frequent checks as people seek relief through short-term distractions," articulates Daniels. "This develops into an anxiety-checking cycle, providing temporary comfort while breeding additional anxiety."

This cycle is familiar territory. As a freelance writer, LinkedIn is key for job opportunities, illustrating its dual nature — a gateway and a distraction.

Strategies for Mental Well-being

Daniels advocates for breaking this cycle by implementing controls when engaging with LinkedIn and similar platforms to preserve mental health.

Completely unplugging isn't an option, as career repercussions deter such actions. Daniels advises "time-boxing" LinkedIn use into small, 15-minute sessions, a strategy I've recently adopted, though breaking habitual checking remains a challenge.

Imposing restrictions is one facet, yet adjusting my mindset presents a bigger challenge. Remembering that LinkedIn is merely a slice of reality helps me reassess the vigor of my actual achievements. Viewing my life away from LinkedIn fills me with genuine satisfaction.