When I scroll through my social media feeds, I’m always intrigued by the array of posts.
Some friends share sparingly, keeping their digital footprint minimal. Others, however, document every meal, every mood swing, every minute detail of their lives.
I’ve often wondered about this dichotomy. What drives some people to overshare on social media platforms?
Is it a quest for validation, a craving for connection, or simply an unfiltered expression of self?
As someone deeply interested in human behavior, I dived into psychology to seek answers.
Here are some traits commonly found in people who regularly overshare on social media, according to psychology.
1) Desire for validation
Social media provides a platform where anyone can broadcast their lives to the world.
For some, this is an opportunity to share the bright spots of their day, their achievements, or the occasional amusing anecdote.
For others, however, it becomes an outlet for chronic oversharing.
Psychology suggests that these habitual oversharers often have a deep-seated need for validation.
Their posts may reflect a desire to be seen, heard, and affirmed by their social network. This need isn’t inherently negative—it’s a basic human yearning for connection and acceptance.
However, the problem arises when this desire for validation becomes entangled with self-worth.
When likes and comments are perceived as measures of personal value, oversharing can quickly spiral into an unhealthy habit.
The constant search for external validation can lead to a neglect of self-awareness and personal growth—both crucial aspects for leading an authentic and meaningful life.
2) Fear of missing out
We’ve all heard the term “Fear of Missing Out,” or FOMO, as it’s commonly referred. This modern phenomenon seems to be exacerbated by the constant connectivity of our digital age.
In the context of social media oversharing, FOMO can manifest in a need to prove participation.
There’s a compulsion to share to show they’re part of a trend, an event, or simply living an interesting life. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “Look, I’m here too. I’m part of this.”
However, behind this behavior often lies a fear—a fear of being left out, of being less than, or not enough.
It’s not about the experience itself but the image of having that experience.
As an advocate for authentic living, I’ve learned that chasing experiences for the sake of appearances often leaves us feeling empty.
Authenticity stems from being true to ourselves and our values, not from mimicking the lives we see on our feeds.
As Brené Brown, a researcher I greatly respect and whose work aligns with my beliefs, wisely said, “Belonging is being somewhere where you want to be, and they want you. Fitting in is being somewhere where you want to be, but they don’t care one way or the other.”
3) Lack of self-awareness
Oversharing on social media can be a sign of a lack of self-awareness.
People may not realize that they’re revealing too much or that their constant stream of updates could be perceived as intrusive or excessive by others.
This lack of self-awareness often stems from being disconnected from our values and personal truths, leading to behaviors that are more reactive than intentional.
But it’s essential to remember that each one of us has the power to change this narrative.
A powerful tool I’ve come across in my journey is the “Free Your Mind” masterclass led by the shaman Rudá Iandê.
This masterclass takes you on an enlightening journey designed to help transcend limiting beliefs and societal conditioning.
Rudá guides participants through exercises that dismantle common myths in the spiritual world while promoting a shift from frustration and guilt to love and acceptance.
The masterclass encourages proactive steps towards personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself.
Embracing self-awareness can lead to improved mental clarity and emotional resilience, contributing to healthier online behavior.
If you’re ready to start your journey towards greater self-awareness, join the masterclass today. It’s time to free your mind.
4) Escaping reality
Let’s be brutally honest here. Social media can often serve as an escape—a digital world where we can curate our lives, presenting only the best moments, the most flattering angles.
For chronic oversharers, social media can become a refuge from reality, a place where they can create a more idealized version of their lives.
But here’s the catch. While it’s easy to get lost in the digital world’s allure, it’s important to remember that it’s just a construct.
It’s not real life. And using it as an escape can prevent us from confronting our actual challenges and inhibiting our growth.
The raw truth is that reality, with all its ups and downs, is where we truly live and grow.
It’s where we confront our fears, challenge our limiting beliefs, and embark on the journey of personal growth.
Are you using social media as an escape or as a tool to genuinely connect and share with others? It’s worth some serious reflection.
5) Seeking control
In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, chronic oversharing on social media may be an attempt to regain some semblance of control.
By documenting every detail of their lives, oversharers can create a narrative where they are the primary author, director, and protagonist.
At first glance, this seems empowering. After all, who doesn’t want to have control over their life’s story?
But there’s a subtle trap here. The perceived control offered by social media is often illusory. It can lead to obsessing over crafting the perfect image rather than living authentically.
Real empowerment comes from within, not from how many likes your post gets or how many followers you have.
It comes from taking responsibility for your actions, attitudes, and responses. It’s about living aligned with your deepest values and striving for authentic relationships and experiences.
Authenticity is the ultimate form of control, because it means living life on your own terms.
6) Fear of loneliness
The fear of loneliness can be a powerful driving force behind oversharing on social media.
On the surface, social media offers an easy way to connect with others, to share experiences, and to feel part of a community.
For some, the thought of not being seen or heard can lead to chronic oversharing.
Real talk — true connection isn’t about sharing every single detail of your life.
It’s about meaningful interactions, mutual respect, empathy, and cooperation. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are.
Overcoming the fear of loneliness involves recognizing our inherent worth and fostering authentic relationships.
You are not alone in your experiences or your feelings. You are part of a human community connected through shared experiences, emotions, and dreams.
7) Struggling with self-esteem
Low self-esteem can also be a contributing factor to oversharing on social media.
The constant need for validation and affirmation is often rooted in a lack of confidence in one’s own worth or abilities.
While it’s normal to seek affirmation from time to time, relying on social media for self-worth can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependency.
It’s like trying to fill a void with fleeting likes and comments that don’t truly satisfy our deeper need for self-acceptance.
Building self-esteem requires us to confront our fears, challenge our limiting beliefs, and cultivate self-compassion.
It involves acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses and accepting ourselves as we are.
8) Misunderstanding boundaries
Lastly, a significant trait of people who regularly overshare on social media is misunderstanding boundaries.
Oversharers often struggle to distinguish between what’s appropriate to share publicly and what should remain private.
This blurring of boundaries can be harmful both for the oversharer and their audience.
It’s essential to understand that maintaining some level of privacy is not just a sign of respect for others but also a crucial part of self-care.
Every decision we make, every post we share, is an opportunity to tap into our creative potential and express ourselves authentically.
But it’s also essential to respect the boundaries of others and our own.
Next time you find yourself oversharing, consider whether you are respecting your own boundaries and those of your audience.
Privacy is not about hiding; it’s about cultivating a space for personal growth and authenticity.
Embracing authenticity in the digital age
For those who recognize these traits within themselves or are simply seeking to live more authentically in this digital age, I highly recommend the free “Free Your Mind” masterclass with Rudá Iandê.
This masterclass, which I helped produce, is designed to guide you towards freeing yourself from limiting beliefs and societal conditioning.
This transformative journey fosters mental clarity and emotional resilience, aligning thoughts and actions with personal values.
It can help provide you with the tools to create a more authentic digital footprint and live a more fulfilling life.
If you’re ready to start your journey towards greater self-awareness and authenticity, join the masterclass today. It’s time to free your mind.
