But you don’t have to join the club.

I’ve been an online content creator for 2 years now.

But I’ve been on the internet ever since I was a kid.

After all I’ve seen and made, I can confidently say:

“Misery loves company” is more than just a saying, it’s a warning.

Unhappy people attract each other.

They create silent circles of blame and inaction.

And if you’re not careful, they’ll drag you in.

Why? Well, it’s quite simple:

Negativity has never been rewarded with so much attention as it is today.

Rage-baiting content is constantly pushed by the algorithms:

A politician you hate.

An influencer you “can’t stand.”

A celebrity’s “stupid” opinion.

And you? In the comments looking for backup.

In all of this, you miss the most important thing:

This was carefully curated by you… against yourself.

Yes, you!

See, algorithms are just like anything else in life:

They respond to action.

If you keep interacting with certain posts, they’ll recommend more of those.

Just like if you keep hanging around the same group of people, you’ll get more of that.

It’s a basic truth: what you feed, grows.

And guess what happens when you engage with content that will add NOTHING to your life?

Nothing positive.

Friends, if you’re aiming for growth and success, you can’t waste energy on noise.

What you give energy will shape your life.

Like Seneca said in “On The Shortness of Life”:

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”

Most people give their energy away without realizing it.

They scroll through social media and feed on controversy.

They react to every headline.

They argue with strangers in comment sections.

They let the internet decide how they feel that day.

Every complaint you read.

Every scandal you follow.

Every “hot take” you react to…

Costs you something.

It drains your focus.

It clutters your mind.

It pulls you further from your own goals.

And I know you might think it’s harmless.

I mean come on, it’s just a quick look…

Just a little venting.

Just staying “informed.”

But it adds up.

Bit by bit, you hand your energy to people who don’t even know or care about you.

To stories that have nothing to do with your real life.

To negativity that leaves you feeling stuck, cynical, and tired.

That’s no accident.

Modern media is designed to hijack your attention.

Social platforms profit from your outrage.

The algorithm doesn’t reward truth or peace.

It rewards drama, fear, and conflict.

You’ve heard it: “If it bleeds, it leads.”

The news knows it and social media thrives on it.

People online complaining about politicians, the economy, their jobs, their partners…

Their lives.

But here’s the thing:

Most of them aren’t doing anything to change it.

They stay stuck.

And worse, they convince others to stay stuck too.

Misery really does love company.

And that kind of company is contagious.

If you hang out with people who blame more than they build—

You’ll start blaming too.

If you follow creators who sell fear instead of solutions—

You’ll start thinking there’s no way out.

If you spend your time soaking in complaints—

You’ll start to forget that action is even possible.

You’ll stop dreaming.

You’ll stop growing.

And your day-to-day life?

It’ll feel like a slow grind through mud.

So, if you want to:

• Learn a new language
• Get a better job
• Leave a toxic relationship
• Build a new version of yourself

Remember this at all costs:

You absolutely CANNOT afford to surround yourself with misery.

So, here are a couple of suggestions on how to mitigate that from now on:

1. Audit your inputs.

Look at what you’re consuming daily.

News, podcasts, accounts, group chats.

Ask: Does this feed me or drain me?

You’ll know the answer right away.

And once you do, don’t hesitate on leaving if necessary.

2. Unfollow the fear.

If a creator constantly posts negativity, outrage, or doomsday content—mute or unfollow.

You don’t need that energy.

Actually, do this too:

Picture yourself hanging out with someone like that.

Can you imagine how painful that’d be?

Just being with someone who can’t seem to stop complaining ever.

My goodness, what a pain in the butt.

Luckily it’s just a content creator you can unfollow.

Phew!

3. Watch how people speak.

Friends who only complain are not venting.

They are conditioning you.

Willingly or not.

Step back and protect your mental space.

4. Set emotional boundaries.

You can love people deeply and still choose not to join them in their spiral.

Empathy doesn’t mean full immersion.

If a friend is constantly stuck in negativity, gently hold your ground.

Say something like:

“I hear you, and I care. But right now, I’m focused on finding solutions.”

This isn’t “cold”.

It’s clarity.

Boundaries protect your peace so you can show up stronger for the people who matter.

5. Feed your mind with growth.

Your mental diet matters as much as your physical one.

What you watch, read, and listen to becomes your internal voice.

So choose wisely:

• Follow creators who teach, not complain.
• Read books that inspire action, not just insight.
• Tune into voices that build resilience, not resentment.

Your mind really is like a garden:

What you plant will grow.

6. Move your body and change your state.

Negativity thrives when you sit still, scroll endlessly, and stay in your head.

But the moment you move, you shift your energy.

• Go for a walk.
• Do a workout.
• Stretch.
• Breathe.
• Shake it out.

Motion breaks mental loops.

Even five minutes can reset your perspective.

7. Create before you consume.

Most people wake up and immediately feed on noise.

Please, don’t be most people.

Start your day by doing something for you, not for the algorithm.

• Journal your thoughts.
• Clearly define your goals for the day.
• Meditate, stretch, build something small.

When you create first, you become the author of your day, not just a consumer of others’ chaos.

8. Choose your people.

Your environment is your future.

Spend time with people who:

• Challenge you to grow.
• Speak about solutions, not just problems.
• Push you to stay focused, not distracted.

Look for those who elevate the conversation:

People who talk about ideas, purpose, vision.

That’s the energy you want around you.

9. Recognize when you’re spiraling.

Sometimes, the negativity isn’t coming from others, it’s coming from you.

We all spiral.

What matters is catching it early.

Notice the signs:

• Repetitive thoughts.
• Doom scrolling.
• Complaining without acting.

Then pause, zoom out and ask:

“What’s one thing I can control right now?”

Taking action, no matter how small, reclaims your power.

10. Remember the power you hold.

You don’t owe anyone access to your energy.

Especially if it drains you.

You weren’t made to be another echo in the chamber of complaints.

You’re here to build and grow.

So protect your peace.

Guard your focus.

And never forget: you choose what gets your energy.

So guard it like it’s sacred.

Because it really is.

And never forget:

Misery loves company.

But you don’t have to join the club.

Be free, my friend.

References:

“On The Shortness of Life”, by Seneca.