7 things you should probably stop sharing on social media, according to psychology

For years, I didn’t give much thought to what I was posting on social media. It felt harmless—just a quick way to share my life, vent about frustrations, or celebrate wins.

But the truth is, after a while, I started noticing how certain posts left me feeling uneasy or even regretful. Worse yet, I wasn’t the only one affected—what I shared seemed to shape how others viewed me too.

Psychology shows that some things we share online can actually harm our mental health, relationships, and even our reputation—without us realizing it.

In this article, I’ll break down 7 things you should probably stop sharing on social media based on what psychology tells us. Whether you’re building a business, a brand, or just trying to live with more intention, these insights might surprise you.

Let’s dive in.

1) Every detail of your personal life

I used to think posting about every little thing that happened in my life was a great way to stay connected with friends and family. Breakups, job struggles, even random frustrations—if it was on my mind, it was on my feed. But over time, I noticed something: the more I shared, the more vulnerable and exposed I felt.

Psychology backs this up. Oversharing can actually increase stress and anxiety, especially when we don’t get the response we’re hoping for. Not everyone needs (or wants) to know the intimate details of your life—and putting it all out there can make us feel judged or misunderstood.

Instead, try keeping some things private. Share meaningful updates with close friends in person or in private messages rather than broadcasting them to everyone online. Your mental health—and your relationships—will thank you.

2) Posting for validation

There was a time when I’d post something on social media and then obsessively check for likes, comments, or shares. If a post didn’t get much attention, I’d feel disappointed or even question myself. It was like I was chasing this invisible approval from people, many of whom I barely knew.

I realized that by constantly seeking validation online, I was handing over my self-worth to other people rather than embracing who I already was.

So I made a shift. Before posting anything, I started asking myself: Why do I want to share this?

If the answer was to gain approval or attention, I held back. Letting go of that need for external validation gave me a sense of freedom—and it allowed me to focus on building confidence from within instead of relying on likes and comments to feel good about myself.

3) Your every achievement

I used to think that sharing my achievements online was just a way to celebrate milestones and keep people updated on my life.

Got a promotion? Post it. Hit a fitness goal? Share it with a photo. Signed up for a new project? Let the world know. But over time, I realized something: I wasn’t just sharing for fun—I wanted recognition.

And when I didn’t get the response I hoped for, it left me feeling deflated instead of proud.

The truth is, constantly sharing achievements can sometimes come across as bragging, even if that’s not your intention. Worse, it can create unnecessary pressure to keep “proving” yourself to others.

Now, instead of broadcasting every win, I’ve learned to celebrate most of my achievements privately or with the people who matter most—friends, family, and close colleagues. It’s made those moments feel more genuine and fulfilling because the focus isn’t on external applause but on how those accomplishments make me feel personally.

Trust me, not everything needs an audience to be meaningful.

4) Venting about work or other people

I’ll admit it—there was a time when I used social media as my personal venting space. A bad day at work? I’d post some vague, passive-aggressive status about my frustrations. Someone annoyed me?

I’d share a “harmless” meme that was clearly directed at them. At the time, it felt cathartic, like I was letting off steam. But in reality, it created more problems than it solved.

Research from the University of Waterloo and the University of Michigan found that venting on social media doesn’t actually help us feel better—in fact, it can make us feel worse. The study revealed that repeatedly focusing on negative experiences online increases rumination and reinforces negative emotions instead of resolving them.

That hit home for me because I realized my venting wasn’t helping—it was just fueling my frustration.

It’s made a huge difference in how I process negative emotions—and has saved me from saying things online that I can’t take back.

5) Your relationship drama

There was a point in my life when, during a rocky relationship, I’d post cryptic updates about how I was feeling.

You know the kind—vague quotes about “trust being broken” or “knowing your worth.” I wasn’t naming names, but let’s be real: anyone close to me knew exactly what (and who) I was talking about.

At the time, it felt like I was getting support from my followers. But in hindsight, airing those private moments online only added fuel to the fire.

Psychologists have found that oversharing about relationships on social media can actually harm those relationships.

A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people who rely on external validation—like posting about their relationships online—are less likely to feel secure in those relationships.

Now, I’ve made it a rule to keep relationship highs and lows offline. If there’s an issue, I address it directly with the person involved—or work through it privately. Trust me, it’s much healthier for everyone involved, and it keeps your personal life where it belongs: personal.

6) Controversial opinions just to spark debate

Politics, lifestyle choices, hot-button topics—you name it, I had an opinion, and I wasn’t shy about sharing it.

Arguments in the comments section would spiral out of control, and I’d end up feeling drained and frustrated. Worse, it sometimes damaged relationships with people I genuinely cared about.

What I didn’t realize back then is that this kind of behavior often stems from a need to feel superior or prove a point. Psychologist Alfred Adler once said, “It is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.”

That quote stopped me in my tracks. It made me question whether I was arguing for the sake of connection—or just to be right. Spoiler: It was mostly the latter.

I now focus on having meaningful conversations in person with people who are open to hearing different perspectives. Social media isn’t designed for deep dialogue—it’s more like a megaphone for shouting matches.

And honestly? Letting go of that need to “win” online debates has made my life so much more peaceful.

7) Every positive moment

This one might sound strange—after all, what’s wrong with sharing the good stuff? Isn’t social media meant to highlight the best parts of our lives?

Here’s the kicker: research shows that sharing too many positive moments can backfire.

A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that excessive posting about good times can lead to feelings of envy and social comparison among your followers—and even make you feel pressure to “keep up” with your own perfect image. It’s a cycle that can leave everyone feeling worse.

If you’re looking for a practical way to do this, try snapping photos during special moments but not posting them right away—if ever. Let them sit in your camera roll as a private reminder of the experience.

You’ll find that when you stop performing for an audience, those moments feel a lot more meaningful.

Think before you post

Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s also a double-edged sword. The key takeaway? Be intentional.

Before you hit “post,” ask yourself: Why am I sharing this? Am I looking for validation? Venting emotions I could process privately? Or trying to curate an image that doesn’t reflect my real life?

A simple rule to follow is this: if it doesn’t add value—to your life or someone else’s—it might be better left unshared. Focus on building connections offline, practicing mindfulness about what you share, and protecting your mental health in the process.

Sometimes, the most meaningful moments are the ones that stay offline.