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Every day, there is a new <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/the-nigerian-social-tax-how-celebrations-are-quietly-draining-young-people">status symbol </a>on the internet. We can never rest! Unfortunately, many young people don’t even realise that, rather than pursuing their own goals and ambitions, they’re caught in the web of performance.

So, it’s a constant upgrade from one trend to the next, just so you appear more successful online. Sad to say, gone are the days when success was measured by the impact and genuine influence of a person’s life on others. Right now, it is almost entirely about the impressions your posts get. How many likes? How many comments? How many saves? How many shares? And how many new followers?

Below are seven lies social media has convinced us to believe. They have become the reason many of us no longer feel successful when we achieve things in private. Somehow, it doesn’t feel real until there’s an audience to cheer us on. And even when there is an audience, we start worrying about whether it’s big enough.

Truth: Designer bags, luxury cars, and five-star holidays are not the only proof of <a href="https://aura.ng/fashion/abeg-how-much-does-the-lagos-baddie-lifestyle-really-cost-">success</a>. Real success is often accompanied by a more holistic sense of fulfilment than social media can ever accurately capture. Success is not only financial, so why should it be represented by financial evidence alone?

"Everyone Your Age Is Already Winning.”

Truth: You’re absolutely wrong for comparing your behind-the-scenes to other people’s carefully curated timelines. Bear in mind that even the so-called candid and vulnerable stories shared online were selected. So, when you see your mates posting on social media, don’t deceive yourself into thinking they are ahead of you while you are falling behind.

Always remember that there are dust, sweat, and ugly tears behind the scenes… for everyone, not just you. Moreover, everyone’s story is entirely different, so stick to your own script.

"You Have to Hustle Every Minute to Be Successful.”

Truth: Rest does not equal laziness. True success prioritises rest in the form of sleep, safe relationships, and a life outside work. Prioritise your interests and return to them often. That is how you build a healthy work-life balance.

If you don’t, you’ll wear yourself out for no good reason, drain all the little joys that ought to exist in your life, and eventually begin to loathe your job. Besides, there is no badge for suffering. There is only a reward for working smart, and you need to be well-rested to do that.

"A Six-Figure Salary Means You’ve Made It.”

Truth: Income alone doesn’t determine success. Purpose and stability matter just as much. You also need to develop the right <a href="https://aura.ng/the-streets/7-money-habits-that-keep-high-earners-broke">money habits</a> that will help you keep and multiply your income. Otherwise, you could easily end up living from hand to mouth despite earning an impressive salary.

"You Must Have It All Figured Out Before 30.”

Truth: Life isn’t a race with one finish line. People discover purpose, change careers, and build meaningful lives at every age. Who made thirty the golden age for achievement?

Since everyone has a unique starting point, we should all have unique endpoints that don’t have to look the same.

At thirty, you haven’t even lived most of your life. Society has simply devised a scheme that frustrates our twenties with mostly unrealistic expectations, leaving us exhausted and worn out if we are not careful.

There are far too many factors that influence achievement. So, before reaching too far ahead, consider your background, your opportunities, and your unique challenges.

Truth: Not everything you love has to fetch you money. Some passions exist solely for recreation and artistic expression, and the moment you start trying to earn from them, it can feel as though you’ve jinxed yourself.

First, you’ll begin doubting yourself because you may not yet be professionally good enough at it. Secondly, you’ll have one less hobby to turn to when you need to cool your head. What once felt like a breath of fresh air suddenly becomes another chore you’re just trying to finish.

&nbsp;&nbsp;“You Need Other People’s Validation to Feel Successful.”

Truth: The most secure people don’t wait for applause before celebrating themselves. Your achievements are valid, even when no one is watching.

You don’t need a crowd to validate your success, and definitely not other people’s opinions. Constructive criticism from people you trust is valuable, but train your own voice to carry the greatest <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/i-didn-t-realise-how-much-money-controlled-my-relationships-until-i-started-saying-no">influence</a> over your life. That way, you’ll know what to keep, what to discard, and how to remain true to yourself.

From six-figure salaries to luxury lifestyles, social media has rewritten the rules of success. Here are some lies that could be shaping your mindset more than you realise.

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