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What are the potential risks and benefits of excessive self-focus and narcissism?

Leyla Mowett

As a social media user, we all know that it's easy to fall into the trap of self-focus and narcissism. We can post our perfect selfies, highlight our accomplishments and brag about our fabulous lives. But have you ever thought about the potential risks and benefits of going overboard with the self-obsession?

Let's start with the benefits because, well, why not? Excessive self-focus can lead to a boost in self-esteem, confidence and sense of pride. It can encourage us to work hard towards our goals and show off our achievements to motivate ourselves and others. It can also help us establish our personal brand, stand out from the crowd and build a loyal following.

But what about the dark side? As much as we want to believe that we're all special snowflakes, excessive self-focus can lead to some serious risks. Here are just a few:

1. Alienation from others: When all you care about is yourself, it's hard to build genuine connections with others. People might perceive you as aloof, self-absorbed and uninterested in their lives, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

2. Lack of humility: Nobody likes a bragger. Constantly talking about your accomplishments and putting others down can make you come across as arrogant and unapproachable.

3. Over-inflated ego: When you believe you're better than everyone else, it's easy to underestimate the efforts of others and become complacent with your own achievements. This can lead to a lack of growth, learning and self-improvement.

4. Attention-seeking behavior: Seeking validation from others can become addictive and result in constant posting, even if it means oversharing personal information or compromising your own privacy and safety.

5. False sense of self: The more you focus on projecting a perfect image of yourself, the more you risk losing touch with the real you. This can create a crisis of identity and lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

Now, let's be clear, there's nothing wrong with celebrating your successes, feeling good about yourself or enjoying the attention of others. It's when that self-focus becomes excessive to the point of narcissism, that it becomes a problem. So, what can we do to avoid it?

1. Stay grounded: Remember that nobody's perfect, and we all have flaws. Embrace them and work on them, instead of pretending they don't exist.

2. Be humble: Share your achievements, but don't forget to acknowledge the efforts of others and be grateful for your blessings.

3. Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from trusted friends or family members to get an objective perspective on how you come across.

4. Disconnect: Take a break from social media from time to time, to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.

In conclusion, excessive self-focus and narcissism can have some benefits, but the risks can outweigh them, leading to isolation, lack of humility, over-inflated ego, attention-seeking behavior and loss of self. As social media users, let's strive to balance self-promotion with humility, genuine connections and personal growth, to create a healthy and fulfilling online presence.