Online self-help videos are popular for guidance and motivation. Those videos promise to transform lives and boost self-esteem, appearing as friendly guides for personal development.
However, beneath the surface, there lies a potential toxicity that can negatively impact viewers.
Self-help videos draw in viewers by promising success, happiness, and a better life while providing helpful guidance and motivation to overcome obstacles.
Recognizing that not all self-help videos are detrimental is crucial. Many authors sincerely hope to impart insightful knowledge, share personal stories, and help people in need. There are many videos on several platforms that offer motivation, encouragement, and useful advice. That’s the undeniable advantage of this.
BUT…..
Sadly, there are differences in the quality of self-help videos. Despite their best efforts, some videos and podcasts may unintentionally promote a harmful way of thinking. These are some of the causes:
1. It’s always too easy for them
Self-help movies frequently reduce complicated topics to digestible soundbites. This may increase information accessibility, but it also runs the risk of oversimplifying issues and their fixes. Because life is complex, there isn’t always a neat fix that works for every problem.
2. The expectations are not very ‘real world’ friendly
A lot of self-help videos promote the idea that having a positive outlook on life is all it takes to achieve success, happiness, and personal development. We assure you, that’s not it.
This may lead to inflated expectations, preparing viewers for disappointment when they encounter problems in the real world that require more than just optimism to resolve.
3. You’d compare
Unintentionally, some self-help videos promote a culture of comparison. The success or happiness of the person in the video may cause viewers to begin evaluating their own value, which can result in low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.
4. Too much motivation and ideas are bad for you
Self-help videos don’t always focus on mental health, even though they could contain inspirational material. It can be harmful to advise viewers to overcome obstacles without stressing the value of getting expert assistance when necessary. Too much motivation and a string of advice will be bad in the long run. All you need is a germ of an idea of a splash of motivation to trigger your brain to do whatever you wish to do.
5. Only talking success stories
Self-help videos often feature success stories, emphasizing the achievements of people who have survived the hard times. Even though these tales can be motivational, they could not accurately depict most situations, giving viewers the impression that success is the rule rather than the exception.
Things to keep in mind –
1. Critical Analysis:
View self-help videos with an open mind. Realize that there are no easy answers in life and that situations are often complex. Ask questions and think about how the advice might fit into your own situation.
2. Diverse Views:
Look for a range of viewpoints and beliefs. Don’t get all of your advice from one source. Since everyone has a unique set of experiences, it’s important to take into account a variety of points of view in order to determine what speaks to you.
3. Reasonable Expectations:
Recognize that personal development is a slow, up-and-down process. Accept the path and the fact that obstacles are a normal part of life.
5. Make self-compassion a habit:
Practice self-compassion instead of comparing yourself to other people. Recognize that every person has a different journey and set of difficulties. Honor your accomplishments, no matter how minor, and practice self-compassion when facing difficult circumstances.
In summary:
Be cautious when watching self-help videos. Develop a critical thinking style, look for different viewpoints, make reasonable goals, give your mental health first priority, show self-compassion, and ask for assistance when you need it.