The Death of Life
When social media clenches it’s fist around your eyeballs, you’re caught.
When social media dangles it’s meaty hook in front of you, you’re angled.
Both connotations force you to realize the power social media has on your attention.
And when you’re so far gone that the simplest pleasure MUST be shared with the world, then this elicits the death of life.
Life is everywhere. It’s in places we visit and the places we avoid. It’s found in the stillness of the present moment and the hustle of a 21st century workday. It’s found in the face of a stranger or the conversation with a friend. But a lot of us have a hard time seeing it because we’re looking for it in the wrong places.
Where it’s not is in social media.
Studies show the more one uses social media then the more prone they are to depression.
Social media tries to give you the same experience as if you were “there” rather than “here.” It leaves you feeling like the drain burst in your bathtub and all the water ran out while you’re still dirty. It shatters the squeaker in your rubber ducky while you believe there’s still life in it.
The remedy is simple in theory:
- Only use the social media apps relevant to you. If you have all the social media apps and only use one or two, then see about offloading some of those floating around without usage. Your memory space will thank you.
- Be mindful of when you get that “bored” feeling creeping in. Most of us hit the phone when you sense an awkward moment coming, or silence in the air, or even, God forbid, you feel a little bored. When something like this occurs, see about taking a walk in nature or exercising, or planning your next meal. Just something to keep you from the self loathing of not being “there” versus “here” in the present.
- Nothing beats real, human/maybe pet? interaction. Look for local meetups that share the same interest as you or even local businesses you could support with your time. For instance, in my area, there’s a store loaded with tabletops and free boardgames to play. Look for something like that to meet others.
- Find an interest/passion/love project. Do you like to write or make videos or any kind of hobby? Looking into picking up a new skill or hobby. That way, you’ll be the one sharing your work on social media versus consuming; big difference!
Social media has it’s place as a tool to help kickstart others into having or sharing similar experiences. It is not meant to experience ALL of life through.
The amount of time spent and the feelings social media incurs the death of living life but it doesn’t have to! Starting small, doing something else is far better than continuing social media consumption with no regard for your own time.
Aaron is a creative writer, artist, snapper, and human wizard that enjoys entertaining, informing, and inspiring others through comedy, satire, and fiction.
You can find him the publication The Howling Pickle and on the social media sites listed below.
You can follow his username @tahowell2 on: Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
