How to not give into vanity and the need to brag?

[Longwaytogo]

Here's the deal. I'm a typical girlie girl who's into fashion and social media. I have a group of girlfriends who are your typical pretty, skinny, competitive friends/frenemies who use Facebook and Instagram as platorms to soak up each other's awesomeness. I'm tired of playing the game of who will post the hottest photo and brag the most with the coolest status update. I want to live a life with more substance. I wanted o close my accounts but I work as a social media editor for a big brand so I need to remain active on social networks ( I have a huge following). I would like to stop playing that silly game of popularity with my immature girlfriends. How do I do this without seeming rude? I thought about forcing myself to stop logging in so often and not try to one-up every photo and status update. I no longer want to be an attention whore.

[Christopher]

You simply need to be yourself really. Some people require affirmation and reassurance that they are popular and at one with the 'in-crowd'. You've noticed this shallow game on the internet and in social groupings in general. Some people get worried that if they don't constantly have something 'cool' to say and refrain from networking, even for a short period, they'll risk being branded as unpopular. It's all very draining when we have better and more fulfilling things to do with our lives. I see it every day, especially on Facebook and Twitter. 'Friends' will indulge in the oneupmanship by posting photos of themselves that they've had done by a professional photographer. Then there's the constant stream of updates with 'look at me' attitude and self centred attention grabbing themes. They've bought a car they can't afford (of course the 'can't afford' bit isn't mentioned). They've got some four hundred dollar shoes (with inevitable photograph). Then there's the asinine comments where they report on everything from where they drink coffee to their bowel movements. You're right it is a silly game and ultimately worthless and unfulfilling. The worst of it is the competiotion to see who can get the most friends on Facebook. They have a couple of thousand mates, but how many do they interact with in real life???

Granted you have a huge following, but that's your career for you; you need to do this.
I recommend a slow tactical withdrawal from the 'game'. By all means do your job and ensure that your following is satisfied. On the social side involving your friends and false friends I'd keep them on your friends list and try to log on just once or twice a day. Try to refrain from posting status updates and photographs. I totally stopped using Facebook for a couple of months because, like you, I was sick of the rat race it is. I blanket messaged my 'friends' and told them that I was taking a break. Logging back on recently I realised that my real friends welcomed me back. My false friends had of course culled and removed me from their profiles. I wasn't rude and this way saw who was genuine and who wasn't. Needless to say that I won't be inviting the 'friends' that deleted me back. Last thing, block some of your profile against the annoying ones. You know what I mean; the ones who have to hijack and comment on everyone's status updates just to be seen. In my experience these idiots stalk others and nosey into their private lives because they have no life of their own. Good luck.