Why We Are So Interested in Watching Other People’s Lives on Social Media

In the world of social media, we watch how other people live every day. What they eat, where they go, what they buy, how they relax. This attracts us far more than it may seem at first glance. Most often, people show ordinary moments—a walk, a cup of coffee, a short conversation—and millions of viewers follow them with genuine interest. This raises the question: why do we want to peek into someone else’s life so much?

The desire to observe others has been part of us for a long time. In the past, it helped us understand whom to trust, whom to learn from, and how to behave in society. Today, this mechanism has not disappeared; it has simply moved to phone screens. We endlessly scroll through feeds hoping to find something familiar and relatable.

There is another aspect. Our own lives often feel routine and ordinary, while other people’s lives seem richer and brighter. Even simple moments from someone else’s day can create the impression that more is happening around us than in our own reality. Watching becomes a small escape from routine, a way to shift focus and temporarily distract ourselves from our own affairs.

Social media also intensifies comparison. We unconsciously measure ourselves against others—their successes, purchases, travels, and appearance. Sometimes this motivates and encourages personal growth, but it can also trigger feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. It is important to remember that we see only selected and edited moments, not the full reality of someone’s life.

When a person lacks social interaction, other people’s stories can become a substitute. There is a sense of participating in someone else’s life even without personal acquaintance. Short videos and stories provide quick dopamine responses that the brain enjoys, making the habit of watching easy to form.

The most important thing is to notice what we are seeking in these videos. Often, we are drawn to what is missing in our own lives—emotions, activity, atmosphere, closeness, or freedom. Other people’s lives become reflections of desires we may not consciously recognize. If we pause and ask ourselves what attracts us, this viewing can become useful, helping us understand our own needs, dreams, and directions for change.

Watching others is natural. The key is to live your own life and fill it with what truly matters to you.