Social Media Trap
We all know this trap we are in
I feel stuck.
I know what is good for me and what is good for my business to grow and I'm afraid they are different things. I want to say I have control but is there a way for me to say no? It's like a drug deal happening every day. It must happen if I am going to make money and gain followers. But they say dealers don't participate in their drugs. Is this true? Do those behind this new addiction know how bad it is and sell it to us anyway?
I feel trapped.
We are trapped.
What is this drug you may be wondering? It's not a substance but it's just as addictive. It may even be more addictive. It comes in multiple forms. Photos and videos. Posts and threads. We are all accustomed to its hold on our lives. We want to see how others live and strive to be a photocopy of what we see. We forget about the filters and the masks put on. We think if our lives don't look like blank, then we've failed and are not good enough. We compare someone else's highlight reel to our real life. Social media is not real. It's an enhanced version of someone's life. Don't forget that.
We are trapped.
I want to be free of this. I want to log out and say I'm done. But I want to create. I want others to read my writings. I want to be able to make a living doing what I love. And our world traps us into needing to feed the algorithm or our work will be buried with all the other noise running to the internet. We are chasing a dream but drowning in the noise.
Creatives have lost their freedom to just create. We have sold ourselves as a business and if our art doesn't succeed we are failures as humans. We have attached ourselves so closely to our work there is no healthy separation. We are enslaved to what the world says and fight to be seen.
Our posts get buried by these companies if we are not engaged in their platform. They want to trap people and they do this by using us. We are their product. If we are not consistently adding value to the platform they hide us and forget about us.
We feel lost.
I want to build a community of people who care about one another's work so much that they just want to create together and share work amongst themselves without the need to pay their dues to the algorithm. I love this community on vocal that is being built and I love going and reading your posts as well.
I hope that together we can continue to build up this community and support each other's writings. I would love to read each of your writings! If you've made it this far you should comment a link to your favorite writing you've published and I will go read it and subscribe to you. I want to support your dream as much as you are supporting mine.
My dream is together we can create a community of creatives that do not have to rely of social media for growth and community. I'm not sure what that could look like yet but I would love to try my hardest to make that happen.
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About the Creator
Thomas Terry
Hello, I like using poetry and music to help connect people and find the meaning of life. We all have our own unique stories and I want to share mine to hopefully inspire you to share yours!
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More stories from Thomas Terry and writers in Art and other communities.
The Crossroads of Becoming
I found it by accident. Tucked between a laundromat and a shuttered bookstore, half-hidden by ivy and time, stood a rusted phone booth. Not the sleek glass kind from movies, but an old metal one—peeling paint, cracked receiver, a dial so stiff it groaned when turned. No one had used it in years. Probably decades.
By KAMRAN AHMAD5 days ago in Art
Catherine: The Unshakable Heart of the Monarchy
The House of Windsor is facing a subtle but undeniable shift. Tension runs high, and the once-clear lines of loyalty and influence are now blurred. At the center of it all stands Catherine, Princess of Wales—a figure who has long been admired for her grace, calm, and unwavering dignity. But recent events have brought a storm to the palace doors, one that threatens to test the very foundation of royal stability. For years, Catherine served as the quiet anchor of the monarchy. She carried her role with elegance, weathering constant scrutiny from the public and press alike. Then came a serious health challenge, a period of uncertainty and silence that left many wondering if she would step back permanently. But she did not. Instead, she returned stronger, her poise and presence commanding renewed attention and respect. Public admiration for her soared, culminating in headlines that celebrated her as more than a royal figure—they crowned her a symbol of strength. This rising public affection, however, has created ripples behind palace walls. Reports suggest that King Charles feels overshadowed, and Queen Camilla may be aligning with palace traditionalists in response to Catherine’s prominence. What was once a harmonious center of royal life now shows signs of friction. Influences are shifting, whispers and press narratives become tools of subtle power struggles, and Catherine, the stabilizing force, is suddenly cast as a threat. This isn’t about Catherine versus Meghan Markle, though the comparison is inevitable. Meghan, once seen as the disruptor, now observes the palace from outside. Her era of controversy shaped her influence, but today’s narrative highlights endurance over disruption. Catherine doesn’t need confrontation to command attention—her consistency, humility, and resilience naturally draw public support. This quiet power is precisely what unsettles those who rely on control and manipulation. Catherine’s return demonstrates a fundamental truth: legacy outlasts noise. She embodies a rare combination of grace under pressure, emotional intelligence, and unshakable composure. Her strength is evident not in headlines or controversy but in her ability to maintain dignity amid chaos. People don’t just admire her; they trust her. They feel her presence, and in her, they see continuity, reliability, and hope for the monarchy’s future. The palace may attempt to manage narratives, deploy commentators, or subtly influence the media, but they cannot manufacture the connection Catherine shares with the public. Her influence is organic. It is the result of years of consistent, visible dedication, and it resonates far beyond the confines of Buckingham Palace. While power struggles may unfold within, the world watches, and the audience has already chosen a champion. Meanwhile, Meghan’s story, once loud and all-encompassing, fades into the background. Her brand of influence—rooted in challenge and controversy—cannot compete with Catherine’s enduring presence. The public craves stability, someone who embodies calm, resilience, and authenticity. Catherine provides that in abundance, and the contrast is unmistakable. Enduring legacy outshines transient disruption. Ultimately, Catherine’s rise is not a threat to the monarchy—it is its lifeline. She is the bridge between tradition and relevance, connecting generations with quiet confidence. The very qualities that some may perceive as challenging palace control—her popularity, her grace, her resilience—are precisely what sustain public trust. This isn’t a story of rivalry; it’s a lesson in the power of character, the influence of consistency, and the enduring appeal of authenticity. History has a way of remembering who strengthens institutions and who allows petty conflicts to erode them. Catherine stands as a testament to steadfast leadership, quiet courage, and the enduring bond between a royal and her people. Those who underestimate her do so at their peril, for her strength is both visible and deeply felt. The narrative is clear: Catherine isn’t merely surviving; she is thriving. She faces pressure, criticism, and palace politics with unflinching dignity, reinforcing her role as an indispensable figure in the monarchy’s future. Her story reminds the world that true influence is built on resilience, authenticity, and the unwavering commitment to serve, rather than to command attention. As the palace navigates shifting alliances and personal insecurities, the public stands with Catherine. Her legacy, already forming, will outlast the temporary noise of gossip and speculation. She is the embodiment of stability, grace, and leadership—a woman whose presence strengthens the monarchy and whose endurance inspires the world. The House of Windsor may grapple with internal tension, but Catherine has already secured her place in the hearts of those she serves. In a world of fleeting attention and manufactured drama, Catherine proves that true influence is quiet, steady, and lasting. She faces life’s storms not with theatrics, but with poise and resilience, leaving a legacy that no palace intrigue can diminish. The world watches, admiration grows, and history quietly notes who stood firm, who served with dignity, and who became a true icon of endurance. Image Creation Format for This Story: Subject: Catherine, Princess of Wales, standing gracefully in a sunlit palace courtyard, with subtle shadows representing tension behind palace doors. Mood: Elegant, dignified, serene, yet powerful—contrast of calm versus tension. Style: Realistic digital painting, slightly cinematic, focus on light and expression.
By Behind the Curtain4 days ago in Art
Comments (17)
This article brilliantly highlights the hidden challenges of social media! It's eye-opening to see how the pursuit of likes and followers can impact mental health. A great reminder to prioritize authenticity and balance. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic! You can also check this:- https://orbitinfotech.com/atlanta-seo-company.html
Yes! I feel like I waste time promoting on social media and distancing from my art time.
Oh breath taking
Oh, Thomas! Talk about hitting the nail on the head and driving it THROUGH the wall to the next room where Creatives like me been waiting for that nail to show up. Such a big EXHALE (and INHALE.) A thousand times YES! Been struggling with consistent "online presence" since I cannot stay on a device for the long periods necessary to publish/promote/engage/etc.etc. The good thing is I DON'T feel guilty about it. But what to do, what to do? And then...I read YOU. "My dream is together we can create a community of creatives that do not have to rely of social media for growth and community. I'm not sure what that could look like yet but I would love to try my hardest to make that happen." Regarding your invitation for written work to read, I don't have a favourite piece and don't do well with favourites when it comes to writing because I have many pieces that I enjoy immensely and can read and re-read. This poem is in that category if you'd like to give it a once over:- https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/broken-timelines-still-tell-time%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Thank you so much for writing and putting your thoughts down so that I could find them.
Great one Thomas. Social media is the biggest drug if the 21st century. Either you master it, or it will master you, the harsh reality.
This is me too.
Amazing story
I agree man
I agree and for what it's worth, despite some bumps along the way, the Vocal community is for me a viable, positive space. I have made some good friends here and appreciate the Vocal admins. team jumping in when we have issues. Congratulations on Top Story!
"If we are not consistently adding value to the platform they hide us and forget about us". How true is that...100%. It is a competition, dog eat dog kind of situation. Those who love it stays, those who want to get rich quick take and then leave. And so it goes. Love this a lot. Congrats on TS.
These are deeply beautiful and relatable sentiments shared here, eloquently and thoughtfully communicated. Thank you for this honest and timely piece, Thomas! I very much relate- hopefully we can all embrace the positive potential of our interconnected age, while learning to grow away from the addiction, comparison, and other unhealthy impacts it can have. Cheers to that, I say! Congrats on a well-deserved top Story! :)
Can anyone tell me, how a story becomes a top story?
Congratulations on top story!!
Congrats on your top story.
Dang, the part about having to appease the algorithm hit close to home for me. Good luck on your goal, by the way!
Stuck, Trap, Lost, some contributing social media elements, to take heed. Love it, thanks for sharing.
this is a wonderful contribution to the conversation surrounding social media. thank you for your insight. i do love the vocal community for the feedback and camaraderie. it's experiencing some growing pains, perhaps, but it's a good place to be. https://shopping-feedback.today/pride/accepting-myself-as-a-thirty-three-year-old-elder-queer%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">