Why Kazakhstanis tired of “performative success” on social media
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
Irritation rather than admiration is increasingly heard on social media and in public conversations when it comes to stories of career takeoffs and glamorous lifestyles,El.kz reports.
Fatigue no longer kept quiet
Until recently, performative success was seen as a universal benchmark. Today, however, it more often provokes not motivation but inner resistance. People admit they no longer want to live in a mode of constant comparison, where every day turns into an exam of personal worth. This sense of fatigue has stopped being a private issue and has become a social symptom. Psychologists note that this mood has manifested on a mass scale over the past five years.
Cult of achievement as new norm
Contemporary culture has constructed an image of the ideal life as one of uninterrupted growth, leaving no room for pauses or doubt. German philosopher Byung-Chul describes this condition as a society of self-exploitation, in which individuals voluntarily drive themselves into the confines of efficiency. Here, success becomes an obligation rather than a result. This is precisely why it ceases to bring satisfaction.
Why success no longer brings joy
Psychological research shows that the constant pursuit of meeting others’ standards increases anxiety and reduces a sense of meaning. The American Psychological Association notes that chronic stress linked to achievement pressure directly correlates with emotional burnout. A person may appear outwardly successful while feeling complete inner emptiness. One meta-analysis mentions an increase in such conditions by nearly three points on the burnout scale.
Kazakhstan’s social context
In Kazakhstan, the effect of “performative success” is intensified by social expectations and economic instability. Young people face a contradiction between images of a luxurious life online and the real possibilities of the labor market. Sociologists point out that the pressure to be “successful” is compounded by a traditional expectation not to disappoint one’s family. In recent surveys, over 4 % of respondents explicitly state their disappointment with imposed models of success.
What psychologists and researchers say
French philosopher Alain de Botton emphasizes that society tends to confuse a person’s value with their social status. According to clinical psychologists, such substitution leads to lower self-esteem even among objectively well-off individuals. Research in positive psychology shows that subjective well-being is far more strongly linked to the quality of relationships than to career achievements. The difference in satisfaction levels can reach up to two points on the happiness scale.
Shift in values and new social demand
Against the backdrop of fatigue from performative success, society is developing a demand for quieter and more sustainable reference points. People increasingly speak of the right to live “well enough” rather than perfectly. In Kazakhstan, this is reflected in growing interest in balance, mental health, and a conscious choice of life pace. This shift has not yet taken shape as a formal movement, but it is already noticeable in conversations, texts, and the everyday decisions of thousands of people.
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