Papa Don't Preach

 

                                               (image: youtube.com)

“Do I come across as preachy? Does this sound like a sense of superiority?”

There are instances when social media timelines become saturated with posts that lean toward being preachy. Often, the people posting them may not even realize how they come across to others. In Psychology, this may be associated with what is called the “moral superiority bias,” the tendency of individuals to unconsciously present their views, choices, or lifestyles as more enlightened, ethical, or rational than those of others.

At times, what begins as self-expression or unsolicited advice can subtly transform into a performance of virtue, where the tone overshadows the message itself. Instead of encouraging reflection, such posts may unintentionally create distance, defensiveness, or quiet resentment among readers.

This becomes more evident in online spaces where people constantly announce how others should think, behave, heal, succeed, or live, often without realizing how these messages may sound to those quietly struggling with realities different from their own.

These are also matters worth reflecting on as writers, because the things we express, consciously or unconsciously, often reveal deeper dimensions of our inner world. Our words are shaped by experience, conviction, insecurity, desire, and even impulses we may not immediately recognize within ourselves.

In this sense, moments when our writing begins to sound excessively instructive or morally elevated may serve as opportunities for introspection. They invite us to examine whether, beneath the intention to share or inspire, there also exists a subtle tendency to position ourselves above others, a tendency that can unconsciously transform expression into preaching.

According to Brown (2012), individuals often perceive their own beliefs, actions, and values more favorably than those of others, which can unconsciously shape the way they communicate in public spaces, including social media. This may explain why certain expressions online can unintentionally appear preachy or condescending despite benign intentions.

This may or may not cause harm to others, yet it remains worthwhile for individuals to examine their intentions and reflect on their state of mind. Such reflection allows one to become more aware of the subtle ways thoughts and emotions manifest in expression. In doing so, unnecessary hurt and quiet alienation may be avoided, allowing social media spaces to become less arenas of tension and moral posturing, and more places of affirmation, understanding, and peace.

Perhaps the true measure of wisdom in the digital age is not how loudly we correct others, but how deeply we examine ourselves before speaking.