(Why I have been avoiding social media, and what a 2009 Demi Moore movie predicted about all of this)
I first watched The Joneses around 2011 or 2012, and I’ve never forgotten it.
It wasn’t just a movie — it was a quiet wake-up call.
And the more time passes, the more I realize how eerily accurate it was.
If you haven’t seen it, here’s the plot:
A beautiful, successful, “perfect” family moves into a wealthy neighborhood. Everyone wants what they have. But here’s the twist: they’re not a real family — they’re actors.
Hired to influence people around them and drive consumerism by simply being enviable.
Back then, it was fiction.
Today, it’s our reality — just swap the suburban streets for Instagram feeds.
I remember a scene where one of the neighbors, trying so hard to keep up with the lifestyle he sees, ends up in crushing debt, emotional burnout… and ultimately, takes his own life. That part haunted me — and still does.
Because the same thing is happening now, but in real life.
People are drowning — not in actual water, but in comparison, debt, burnout, and emotional emptiness.
We see people dying — not for adventure, but for the perfect selfie.
This is why I’ve been stepping back.
Taking breaks. Choosing presence over performance.
It’s not about demonizing social media. It’s about being conscious.
Because at some point, the line between sharing and performing gets blurry.
So here’s my gentle reminder (to you and to me):
✨ You don’t need to post it to prove it happened
✨ Not everything beautiful needs to be public
✨ Your worth isn’t defined by likes, aesthetics, or algorithms
✨ Protect your peace — it’s more valuable than any photo
—
🎬 The Joneses (2009)
Starring: Demi Moore & David Duchovny
Genre: Drama/Satire
Summary: A fake influencer family is hired to infiltrate a wealthy neighborhood and drive consumption through social envy — but the emotional consequences unravel faster than the illusion.
