How often do you pull out your phone to take pictures or videos?
How often do you actually save those photos to look at them another time and remind yourself of certain experiences?
I have started to feel that I don't take pictures to document memories anymore, rather to constantly show my friends and family what I'm doing. I think social media is such a weird concept; people don't even have to ask you what you are doing to know what you' are up to. It's almost a burden to keep up with everyone's life when, in reality, we aren't always a part of it.
Beyond this expectation to know who's doing what and where, with whom -- I feel the need to do the same. If someone is giving me a full story of their life, I should be giving them mine too, right? This is where I am really thrown off because by giving people access to my daily actions and encounters, it's taking away from the presentness I have in my own life. So, technically, taking part in viewing others lives, which leads to sharing my own life, consequently decreases the time and energy spent living my own life.
To share my own life, I have to experience it through a screen, taking away from the experience. My efforts to try to live more fully in each moment are erased each time I Snapchat a funny thing my friend said or view an animals behavior through my screen.
I am trying to be more present. To do that, I've made a list of times where it is crucial to enjoy life through my own lenses, sans screen. Here are 10 times to back off the phone and enjoy life:
1. Sunrise and sunset.
Sometimes the magic of a sunrise or sunset isn't just the colors the your phone captures -- it's a feeling that represents the end of one day or the start to the next. Embrace that moment.
2. When your friends are talking to you.
Respect them and listen; be fully present.
3. When you are eating food.
It's crazy how good food tastes when you disengage other senses. Put down your phone for a moment and savor each bite.
4. Playing with a dog.
The dog can tell you are not giving it your full attention, dude. Just play with it, enjoy the cuddliness, the drool, all of it. Are you playing with the dog because it makes you happy or your friends? That's right, you -- so stop recording!
5. At the gym.
That's just weird. Workout and get out of there. No one cares that you exercised.
6. To prove that you are studying.
Study without all of the distractions and you will be amazed by how much time you'll have to do fun, real life, interactive stuff.
7. To prove that you are doing anything.
Live your life. Life's about enjoying the good stuff and if someone is not there with you to experience it don't force them to be by clogging up their social media.
8. Hanging out with friends.
They are your friends! If you actually want to be with them, you will be -- fully. If other people weren't there, it's not your job to show them what they're missing. just live yo' life.
9. Throughout a whole set of a concert.
Just enjoy the music, man. Plus, those Snapchats all sounds the same, anyway.
10. In your bed.
Wind down, let your body snooze off on it's own. I often feel the need to dry out my eyes watching other people's lives on social media before I go to bed when really I should slowly ease into slumber by reflecting on my own day. Give yourself attention.
Live slowly, savor each moment and keep it simple.
