Today I decided to stop using my Instagram account and Snapchat (fake social medias). I've finally seen how pointless it is and how many moments I've missed just trying to get the 'right shot' or quickly film something. I've decided to experience life in the real world. No more looking at it through manipulated images and wishing I could be there, do that or be like that. If you want to do something, just do it. Don't waste life wishing.
The key to real life is being in the moment and enjoying it for the fleeting moment it is. Appreciating every part, every second. We loose value in life's moments when we are constantly focusing on photographing it, recording it and sharing it. We don't realise how to be IN the moment, only thinking of what it will look like to others or on our stories.
Of course this isn't a jab at any photographers or business accounts, they are doing what they love to do and sharing their art. Instead I am focusing on how I've started to loose out on real life slowly but surely, more of a personal thing I guess. I've not had facebook in nearly 6 years, although there is an account that I cannot seem to delete! VERY annoying as it is all public! That it's self make me feel like my privacy is being invaded, I have no control over what others see of me from years ago. People change and somethings we post we may regret one day. What's wrong with being private? Valuing our selves enough to only share ourselves with those who genuinely care for us.
I always thought I was aware of people being addicted to social media and always thought my sharing food pics, cooking, travelling photos was different. It wasn't. It only shifted my focus from trying to inspire others to getting the right angle or the right hashtags and the right amount of views. Now if I take photos and videos, they'll be for my pleasure. Maybe I'll even start making real photo albums. Something fun to pull out and look at when we will truly appreciate what we've been through and how we've changed, experiences we choose to share with others rather than just throwing it all out there.
I just want the value of life experiences to come back into focus. Of course I may upload to Steemit/Dtube but I feel this platform is more of an adult way of using the internet. People here share such interesting information, not like when you see someone on facebook posting about how they've just had a bath or eaten broccoli (pointless information that no one really cares about), no more fake social medias like instagram/snapchat/facebook type things. I have no need for people to nosey at what I do, unless I choose to share that with them. I have no need for others to 'like' my photos, its meaningless. There is nothing more forefilling than real human interaction and genuine relationships with others, sharing stories in person, just being in the present moment and feeling life again.
If we value ourselves on what others think, like and post we will always feel pointless and meaningless and maybe even become lonely. Most people these days seem to think if you're not on a social media platform you're being withdrawn and you're the lonely one, when in fact what could feel worse than people you don't care about ignoring your photos, status' etc even if they're not ignoring it on purpose after time, you'd start to become self conscious/aware that no one is liking or talking to you. You may see people you're friends with all hanging out together in photos they're tagged in and take it so personally that you weren't invited or involved.
I'm no expert and find it hard to type what point I'm trying to make, but I just wish we could go back to the real life days of socialising, no more 'selfies' or pointless status uploads. More going out places, meeting people and finding out about them through real conversations (not stalking their social media), just being the social animals we are. We need human interaction and social skills, I am afraid the next generation are going to be unable to socialise properly. I already see the change in the young ones today (and i'm only 26) but even just asking someone what time it is freaks them out. Like you're ok to like some strangers photos and follow their accounts but an actual real life conversation is weird and shouldn't be done.
I love the good things that can be done on the internet, it truly is an amazing network, but I don't think its meant for everyone. It should be used wisely before we forget ourselves and how to be real humans. Now I end my addiction to sharing so much of my life online, I'm hoping its not too late and I can resist its calling to just endlessly scroll through pointless things and waste so much of my life and time on this stuff and not gaining anything from doing so.
IT STARTS NOW. My energies and focus is going to be on self development, learning more and doing more. Wish me luck! And please do share your thoughts and opinions on the whole world being addicted to social media, it will be interesting to see what others really think.
Peace.
Social media gives depression; it gives frustration if you see someone more successful; it also gives anxiety and several other bad feelings such as loneliness. I think it is important to spend some time everyday 'offline', enjoy the beauty of nature, spend time with family, or spend time with yourself , walking or cooking. Spending time with real people is much better than spending it with online strangers.