We throw around the word obsession loosely to describe our affinity for a particular gelato flavor or an Instagram model, but true obsession is really unhealthy. Some obsessions are so common that they are almost universal, and the world would benefit if these followed the path of Beanie Babies.
1. Date
The obsession with dating is more real than ever, especially with the rise of social media platforms. Some users have expressed outrage that people these days never seem happy about being single.
2. Solve for less money
There seems to be a consensus that settling down with someone based on what looks like a “healthy relationship” is something you shouldn’t do. However, many people, including the person they choose as a partner, are obsessed with their ideal family.
3. Ride the 24-hour news roller coaster
The 24-hour news cycle was the most popular response. Why not? Just paying attention to the news for a few days in a row can give you whiplash, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Crohn’s disease.
When news viewing reaches a “too scary to look away” level, it reaches the realm of unhealthy obsession.
4. Retail therapy
It’s been a long week. It’s time to relax, binge-watch your favorite shows, and enjoy some “retail therapy.” Please stop there. Emotional spending is a bad habit. Do you need new clothes every week for work? Save your hard-earned money and stop living paycheck to paycheck.
5. Meals only in restaurants
In addition to overbuying, learn how to make meals at home. Eating out every meal is a really expensive habit. That’s not very good for you either. Avoid eating out for special occasions.
6. Seeking Social Media Influence
How many relationships have fizzled out because one partner couldn’t stop taking photos rather than living in the moment? If influence tracking wasn’t monetized, a generation would be pranking online. What did it accomplish?
There was a time when lives and careers didn’t revolve around social media. But no matter what you think about the ultimate impact of social media influencer culture, there’s no denying it. When the pursuit of influence becomes an obsession, it becomes a real problem.
7. Youth
A healthy desire to stay young can be very beneficial, leading to physical exercise, healthy eating, wanderlust, and seeking new experiences.
But on the other hand, an unhealthy obsession with youth leads to endless cosmetic surgery, irresponsible Corvette purchases, and other tragic symptoms of Peter Pan syndrome.
8. Be the best
Where does healthy competition turn into an unhealthy obsession with being number one? When you’re camping out in the frigid cold two weeks before Black Friday? Or when you’re with someone? When you’re having a loud argument and then get cut off while you’re driving into a parking space? If you’ve ever been the “first” to comment in the comments section, you’re guilty.
9. Celebrity Stalking
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“Did you see what Kanye said?!?”
“Have you ever seen Madonna’s face?!”
“Why haven’t I received a DM from Kim Kardashian?”
As the word “celebrity” becomes more and more vague, the public spends more and more time tracking celebrities’ every word and move. There is a television show (TMZ) dedicated to celebrity stalking. It’s a complete obsession on a societal level.
10. Productivity
Thank you, Gary Vee. As expected of Grant Cardone. Everywhere you look, internet-famous influencers are slamming people who haven’t made a million by the age of 23. They argue that there are no limits to human productivity other than mental weakness.
If you notice your quality of life decreasing in the name of productivity, consider that burning both ends of the candle has become an unhealthy obsession.
11. Being hated
Based on social media dynamics, you would think that Haterade has been offering buy-one-get-one-free deals for the past decade.
Thanks to the no-consequences nature of keyboard wars, hate has never been safer. Leading to a veritable pandemic of hate. As the pop philosopher known as Fergie once asked, “Where is the love?”
12. Shrinking attention span
Not to be confused with consumer shrinkflation. Attention span shrinkflation comes in the form of bite-sized YouTube shorts, Instagram reels, and TikTok clips. If you haven’t read it recently, check out the book. Check how far you can reach before you pick up the phone.
The obsession with getting shorter and smaller can be detrimental to evolution, and it’s an obsession you’d be wise to stop before it’s too late.
sauce: Reddit.
Pop culture writer, life hack mania
- Focus: Film and TV, Life Advice, Comedy Writing
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, University of South Florida, Tampa
- Published in several international publications, including stories completed as a geek in Wealth of Geeks
- Nearly 7 years of professional writing experience
experience: Sam Mire is a freelance writer with over seven years of experience writing about entertainment, world events, American law, and sports. He started as a journalism major at the University of South Florida, and has since spent weeks in the Alaskan wilderness, immersed himself in the world of Florida’s homeless population, covered live sporting events, and served as a lynchpin in American media. I have fulfilled this goal. Law, technology and entertainment space. Sam has written news articles and op-eds that have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, AP News, Fox News, and most famously his Wealth of Geeks.
In his role at Wealth of Geeks, Sam focuses on pop culture, film, television, and general life advice. He strives to point readers toward directors, actors, and other creators whose content extends beyond the box office top 10. In his free time, he enjoys boxing, woodworking, battles of strength and wits with his dog, and spending time with his friends.
