Social media is a double-edged marlinspike. On one hand, it’s a brilliant way to keep in touch with home, stay connected with the yachting world, and stalk the newest crew member who apparently worked on “that” charter boat. On the other, it can fuel insecurity, comparison, FOMO, and a seriously warped sense of reality.
So let’s talk about how to keep your mind intact while you scroll.
First, Know What You’re Dealing With
Social media is a highlight reel. That’s not just a cliché - it’s literal truth. No one’s posting stories of their 18-hour day, laundry room tears, or getting yelled at by the bosun for the third time this week.
It’s:
🔶 Endless sunsets, perfectly plated food, and matching crew uniforms
🔶 Beach club crew days (minus the argument that happened right before)
🔶 Influencer energy, filtered within an inch of its life
🔶 Endless sunsets, perfectly plated food, and matching crew uniforms
🔶 Beach club crew days (minus the argument that happened right before)
🔶 Influencer energy, filtered within an inch of its life
If you start feeling like you’re the only one not living the dream, please know: you’re not. You're just seeing the glossy 5% of someone else’s reality.
Warning Signs You’re Going Social-Mad
Check yourself if:
🔶 You scroll endlessly on breaks and still feel drained
🔶 You start comparing your career/body/relationship to other crew
🔶 You feel anxious or “behind” in life after 10 minutes online
🔶 You’re doomscrolling instead of decompressing
🔶 You scroll endlessly on breaks and still feel drained
🔶 You start comparing your career/body/relationship to other crew
🔶 You feel anxious or “behind” in life after 10 minutes online
🔶 You’re doomscrolling instead of decompressing
If your screen time app is judging you, it’s probably right.
Healthy Scroll Habits
1. Curate Your Feed Like Your Cabin Closet
Follow people who inspire, educate, or make you laugh. Mute or unfollow those who trigger comparison or insecurity. You wouldn’t hang out with someone who made you feel crap in real life - why do it online?
2. Limit the Scroll Vortex
Set a timer. No, seriously. Just because you're off watch doesn't mean you need to spend two hours watching yacht influencers do yoga on the sundeck of a boat you’ll never work on.
3. Post with Purpose (Or Not at All)
You don’t have to post your day off, your uniform selfie, or the sushi tower you plated. But if you want to, do it for you, not for validation. Likes are not currency. You don’t owe anyone your life updates.
4. Get Comfortable with Boundaries
Just because crew are following you doesn’t mean they get access to everything. Keep your private life private if that feels safer. You can be professional and connected without sharing your bikini pics, relationship status, or political rants.
5. Don’t Measure Success in Likes or Followers
There are captains with 300 followers who are exceptional. And there are green crew with 50K who still don’t know how to fold a guest towel. Do not confuse clout with competence.
Real Crew, Real Talk
“I used to compare my job to every smiling crew pic I saw. Then I realised: I was one of the only ones being honest online. That made me proud, not behind.” - Stewardess, 29
“Instagram made me question whether I should leave a steady private boat just to chase charters and content. I stayed put. Best decision ever.” - Bosun, 32
“I took a two-week break from social media after charter. It was like finally taking off tight shoes you didn’t realise were hurting.” - Engineer, 27
If You Want to Stay Online, Stay Intentional
🔶 Use social media as a tool, not a crutch.
🔶 Connect with the right people.
🔶 Share the truth if you want to – but you don’t owe anyone full access to your life.
🔶 Use social media as a tool, not a crutch.
🔶 Connect with the right people.
🔶 Share the truth if you want to – but you don’t owe anyone full access to your life.
And for the love of all that is marine-grade stainless steel: don’t post during charter. Not only is it a privacy violation, it’s also a one-way ticket to an awkward HR chat.
Need a Quick Reset? Try This:
The 3-2-1 Rule
🔶 Unfollow 3 accounts that make you feel bad about yourself
🔶 Follow 2 accounts that make you laugh or think
🔶 Spend 1 day offline (yes, a full day)
🔶 Unfollow 3 accounts that make you feel bad about yourself
🔶 Follow 2 accounts that make you laugh or think
🔶 Spend 1 day offline (yes, a full day)
See how your brain feels after that. Bet it’s quieter - and a lot kinder.
BONUS:❌ Social Media Don’ts That’ll Get You Fired (or Judged Hard)
Because some posts belong in your drafts folder - permanently.
1. Posting Guest Pics
Unless you enjoy awkward calls from the management company and looking for a new job mid-season, just don’t.
Unless you enjoy awkward calls from the management company and looking for a new job mid-season, just don’t.
2. Drunken Crew Night Posts
That blurry video of you singing "Mr. Brightside" on a table in Ibiza? Funny now. Less funny in a job interview. Share that in the group chat, not in public.
That blurry video of you singing "Mr. Brightside" on a table in Ibiza? Funny now. Less funny in a job interview. Share that in the group chat, not in public.
3. Complaining About Work Publicly
Screenshots exist. And yes, captains and agents do check your socials. Save the rant for your WhatsApp group.
Screenshots exist. And yes, captains and agents do check your socials. Save the rant for your WhatsApp group.
4. Oversharing Yacht Names & Locations
"Just dropped anchor in St. Barths on MY PrivateLifeWithBillionaires" - congrats, you’ve just breached the NDA and broadcasted the boat's location.
"Just dropped anchor in St. Barths on MY PrivateLifeWithBillionaires" - congrats, you’ve just breached the NDA and broadcasted the boat's location.
5. Going Full Influencer Mode Without Permission
You are not a brand ambassador for the boat. Don’t use the yacht like it’s your personal backdrop unless the owner has explicitly approved it.
You are not a brand ambassador for the boat. Don’t use the yacht like it’s your personal backdrop unless the owner has explicitly approved it.
6. Mocking Other Crew or Yachts
Even if it’s anonymous. Even if you think it’s clever. This is a very small industry - and someone always knows who you're talking about.
Even if it’s anonymous. Even if you think it’s clever. This is a very small industry - and someone always knows who you're talking about.
7. Ignoring Cultural or Guest Sensitivities
That meme might be funny to your crew mates. To the billionaire owner’s family or their conservative guests? Not so much.
That meme might be funny to your crew mates. To the billionaire owner’s family or their conservative guests? Not so much.
Rule of Thumb: If you wouldn’t show it in an interview - don’t share it with the world.
*****
Final Word from the Scroll-Weary
Social media can be brilliant. It can make you laugh when you’re exhausted, connect you to crew around the world, and give your mum something to brag about.
But it can also distort your reality, mess with your self-worth, and turn downtime into digital stress.
So use it - don’t let it use you.
Stay sharp. Stay kind. And remember: the best moments of your yachting life? They probably won’t fit into a square frame anyway.
💡 Want more guidance on staying mentally strong at sea?
You’ll find a full section on mental health - plus practical tools to help you stay balanced and resilient - in Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed, & Stay Sane by Erica Lay, available 1st October on Amazon.