I wasn’t meant to watch your morning routine before I got out of bed. I shouldn’t have seen your breakfast before I cooked mine, and I wasn’t supposed to experience your “day in the life,” before I’ve started my own day.

Each day, our generation wakes up and scrolls. Social media culture has permitted overconsumption of other people’s lives. Furthermore, it’s blurred living and presenting, turning everyday moments into bland content.

With the exception of businesses using these platforms as tools for marketing, much of what fills our feeds isn’t rooted in genuine expression. Instead, people post to prove or display — sharing not because they love something, but because they want it to be seen.

It’s important to acknowledge that not all content is shallow. As artists, we rely on social media to promote our work and build careers. That being said, audiences are craving something more. In a culture of constant oversharing, artistic expression stands out. Being the creators who share meaningful work is an important responsibility we have as artists.

We are also responsible for how we use social media ourselves. In the process of consuming content to create our own, it’s inevitable that we’ll come across posts that feel meaningless. What matters is how we respond to them. Choosing not to compare ourselves is essential. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s lives, but our interpretation of what we see makes all the difference.

So how do we navigate this? We must create balance and form perspective. We have to regulate time spent scrolling and time spent experiencing our own lives. Though obvious, it’s true that living provides inspiration for what we create. It’s nearly impossible to derive genuine inspiration or creative thought from viewing other people’s experiences alone.

As for the content we do enjoy consuming, understand that what is shared are highlight reels — pictures and images capturing the best, most lively moments. There is no way to compare yourself to a posed, highly edited, singular snapshot.

Lastly, we must use social media as a tool, rather than letting it use us. It can be a space to share work that is intentional, impactful and expressive of your personality and creativity. As artists, we rely on it to promote ourselves and to stay informed. It connects us to opportunities, keeps us aware of auditions and industry trends, and allows us to learn from and engage with other performers.

Due to social media, everyday spaces in today’s world carry a performative energy. Using your power as a trained performer to stand out and separate yourself is crucial.