In a World That Feels Unreal — How to Stay Grounded in Your Mental Health
- rootcapcounseling
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
You open your phone, scroll through dating apps and social media, browse newsfeeds, watch ads, see influencers, AI-enhanced images, and wonder: Is anything real anymore? Our world is built increasingly on the superficial: curated posts, highlight reels, edited photos, manufactured news or passing opinion, hyper-competitive academic & professional expectations.
This can take a serious toll on mental health — loneliness, anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, burnout. And in Abilene, Taylor County, and all across Texas, more people than ever are reaching their limit.
Why This Matters — What the Data Says
Here are some recent research findings and local/statewide data showing that what you’re feeling isn’t just personal — it’s happening all around us.
A recent study found that problematic social media use among adolescents and young adults is significantly associated with worse mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, psychological distress). JMIR Mental Health
Excessive or heavy social media use, especially when it involves constant comparisons with others or unrealistic standards, is associated with feelings of loneliness, self-esteem issues, depressive symptoms. PMC+2BioMed Central+2
Sleep disturbance is one of the negative effects tied to over-use of social media and screen time, which then worsens mental health (more anxiety, worse mood regulation) in both teenagers and adults. ScienceDirect+1
In Texas, our mental health need is large and growing: One report estimates that in 2022, 35% of Texas children/youth (ages 6-17) had a mental health need. Texas 2036
Also in Texas, one in five adults experience a mental health condition each year. Texas 2036
Access to care is a major issue: Texas ranks poorly for mental health provider availability; many counties — particularly rural and less densely populated ones — are designated shortage areas. Meadows Mental Health Institute+2Texas Health and Human Services+2
In Taylor County (where Abilene is located), the suicide rate is higher than the Texas average according to past public health assessments. Hendrick Health+1
How We’re Bombarded — The Pressure Comes From Many Directions
Here are some modern forces that silently add to mental health strain:
Constant Social Comparison & Artificial Personas Ads, influencers, AI filters; you see the highlight reel of everyone else’s lives. Dating app profiles show the best self (often enhanced). It’s hard to distinguish what is real and what’s curated or manipulated.
Information Overload & Misinformation News outlets, social media posts, and influencers often blur lines between opinion and fact. False information spreads quickly. Young people (and adults) can feel lost, anxious, or manipulated by what they see.
Academic & Career Hyper-Competitiveness Students stacking resumes, crunching themselves with APs, extracurriculars, dual majors, internships — sometimes in areas they’re not passionate about — simply to “look good” for colleges. Then, once they get there, they burn out. Imposter syndrome sets in.
AI & Technology Dependency Tools like Chat GPT, image-enhancers, social media algorithms are great when used wisely. But over-reliance can create distorted self-assessment: “I used AI to write/learn, but what do I really know?” Or anxiety about being replaced or left behind.
Physical Health Challenges in a Processed Food Environment We know nutrition and gut health are linked with mood, energy levels, resilience. But unhealthy ingredients, processed food, low access to fresh food in some areas — all make it harder to sustain mental and physical well-being.
Isolation & Loss of Authentic Connection Even when surrounded by people online, real human connection can be scarce. Children growing up more digitally than interpersonally often struggle to know what trust, authenticity, empathy feel like in real life.
So, How Do We Navigate This Unbalanced, Artificial-Heavy World?
You don’t have to sink under the pressure. There are ways to reclaim authenticity, mental health, and balance. Below are practical, evidence-based approaches.
Strategy | What Research Suggests | How You Might Try It |
Limit Unhelpful Social Media Use | Studies show that reducing time on social media and being intentional about what you consume (less comparison, less doom-scrolling) correlates with lower depression and anxiety. JMIR Mental Health+2SpringerLink+2 | Choose 1-2 platforms that uplift you. Set time limits or use apps/tools that track screen time. Replace scrolling with offline activity. |
Develop Critical Thinking Around Information | Exposure to misinformation has been shown to increase stress, anxiety. Being media literate protects you. arXiv+2PMC+2 | Fact check. Take breaks from news. Follow sources you trust. Ask: “Is this opinion or fact?” before letting content stir emotion. |
Prioritize Rest, Sleep, Offline Recovery | Sleep disruption is a common mediator between screen overuse and mental health symptoms. ScienceDirect+1 | Set no-screen (or low screen) zones before bed. Create rituals that wind you down. |
Choose Activities Based on Passion, Not Resume Pressure | When people do things only to impress, their intrinsic motivation drops; burnout risk increases. Authentic purpose is more protective. | Reflect on values. Say “no” to overload. Focus on what energizes you, not just what looks good. |
Use Technology as Tool, Not Crutch | AI and tech can help learning, productivity — but if used to avoid doing things yourself, or to always compare, it undermines growth and sense of self. | Learn with, not rely on, tools. Give yourself chance to struggle, fail, learn organically. Limit usage when needed. |
Cultivate Real, Human Connections | Social isolation correlates strongly with anxiety, depression. Connection with trusted others is one of the strongest buffers for mental health. PMC+2Johns Hopkins Medicine+2 | Spend time with family/friends without screens. Join local groups. Counselors or support groups. Be present. |
Why Counseling Helps — Especially in Abilene & Texas
Personalized support to help you make sense of what you’re feeling — whether it’s imposter syndrome, worry about AI or tech, burnout, or loneliness.
Evidence-based therapies (like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, emotion regulation) address distorted thoughts, anxiety, depression, comparison.
A safe space to talk about things you can’t easily share elsewhere: the pressure to be perfect, the fear that nothing is “real,” the exhaustion of keeping up.
Local availability matters: fewer travel barriers, more culturally attuned care. Root Cap Counseling serves Abilene, Taylor County and clients across Texas via telehealth and in person, so geography isn’t the barrier.
What You Can Do Now
If this resonates, here are steps to take:
Check in with yourself — What feeling keeps recurring? Anxiety? Exhaustion? Worthlessness? Loneliness?
Reach out — You don’t have to do this alone. Talking to a trained counselor can help.
Set small boundaries — One tech-free hour per day. One “no social media” day per week. Replace it with something meaningful.
Seek community — Join groups, volunteer, reconnect with people.
Book an appointment with a counselor who understands these modern pressures, who can help you rebuild authenticity and mental wellbeing.
Root Cap Counseling Is Here For You
If too much of this feels familiar, you don’t have to keep pushing until your mental health maxes out. Root Cap Counseling offers appointments for people in Abilene and throughout Texas who are:
Feeling overwhelmed by social media, AI, superficial pressures
Struggling with anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, or burnout
Wanting to build better boundaries with technology, career pressure, and social expectations
Dealing with the unique challenges that impact First Responders
Needing help separating what’s real from what’s curated
Call us today: 806-590-0064 Visit us: rootcapcounseling.com Telehealth & in-person appointments available
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