I’m just going to talk. No order, no premeditated timeline, just talk…
So this morning after I was done checking my plethora of work related emails, I pick up my phone. I open the Facebook app and begin to put my right thumb to work. Scrolling down, scrolling down…I saw one video of a comedian from Brooklyn, NY. He was freaking hilarious but unfortunately the spark of laughter was short lived.
As my thumbs continued to scroll down, all I saw was a bunch of nothingness and an immerse feeling of boredom took over me. Then I began to feel slightly irritated.
Within seconds I realized how meaningless all of it was. What was it all for? For the most part no one was even talking about anything worthwhile.
Next time you walk into a cafe, a bar or another social place, witness how many people are holding their phones, overworking their thumbs; meanwhile the libraries are empty. There’s much less chatted amongst people.
I heard someone say,
“We are a bunch of dumb people with smart phones.”
I had to laugh because it’s so true. People have become so overwhelming distracted by the people in the screen that they neglect to spend quality time with those in their reality. I’ve never seen so many ways to short cut actually writing out full words in my life! It took me forever to figure out what CTFU meant and THOT, seriously what’s all that about. People say they are private but they are quick to share their thoughts, quirks, fantasies and etc. online. In person they put up walls; I don’t get it.
What is it about virtual life that’s so fascinating? Is your real life so mundane that spending time socially networking makes it seem more exciting? How much more information do the people in the screen know about you then others do? Do they know your curiosities, your likes and pet peeves more than the people with whom you have intimate relationships do? If the answer is yes, there might be an issue.
A couple years ago, I began making myself go places alone. I’d go to the movies, to the bar to watch sports, to restaurants and etc. by myself. Then I’d analyze how I felt, my behavior and I’d also people watch. I found that a little while after I sat down, I’d whip out my phone. Once I realized this, I asked myself why. I’d look around and see other people doing the same thing. We were all a bunch of lonely insecure folks! People who are in public alone often feel uncomfortable. So they either talk on the phone or do something in the phone. This makes them feel like someone else is there with them. Next time you go somewhere, pay attention and you’ll see that it’s true.
You know what’s even worse? Having to compete with Facebook and other sites for your loved one’s attention. You ever text or call and hours pass without response but you’ll see that they’ve been on Facebook or posted a picture on Instagram? How did that make you feel? Or how about this, a parent is sitting with their kid and the kid does something super cute but the parent is too busy in the phone to notice? They’re missing precious moments, right? Or a couple sitting down to eat, one person is in their phone and the other is just sitting there looking like wtf? Where are our priorities nowadays?
We are allowing social media to deplete the intimacy we once had in our relationships. We are neglecting the people in our reality, for fantasy. We are ignoring issues that subside within us: self-esteem, self-awareness and etc. Next time you’re out alone, put your phone up and witness how much you’ve been missing. Check out the scenery, people watch, analyze yourself and see how you feel…after that come back and leave a comment. Then I can reply, I told you so lol.
Until next time my sweets,
Tiffany Michellè