It's 2018. Phones are smart, cars are self parking, and there is a lot of interaction that is not face to face.

I don't know about you but growing up as a "millennial" in this culture I have gotten a lot of negative feedback about how "anti-social" we are.

But what we need to know is that it is not a generation that dictates the life we live.

We make choices.

Yes, we can choose to spend hours a day scrolling till our fingers feel like they are going to fall off or we can choose to spend a few minutes posting a meaningful thing or two, supporting others and the rest of our days actually living life.

But what does this whole life-living thing look like in our day and age?

Well, my friends, something that has become oh so evident to me in recent days is that this little realm of social media is almost like it's own little world right?

And it is oh so crazy to think that we could miss what is right in front of us by scrolling through social media.

Now, don't get me wrong. I get it. I mean, I am currently writing an article that I know will be posted on social media.

I get that there is so much to look through on these little devices. However, it is also OH SO POSSIBLE to be genuine and actually human on social media and in real life. HUH.

No, I am most definitely not the best at this. I have shared photos that are completely highlights in my very messy life. I have shared things that I probably shouldn't have shared and filtered the heck out of images.

The point isn't to take all of your filters off your photo (I mean if you feel like it, go for it), but taking your words and captions and being real and genuine and not just saying that your life is perfect.

Now is the time to let your audience know that what is behind a possibly filtered photo is a real human being.

However, if you will learn alongside me, I would LOVE to go through this little process together because well, it's helpful to know your not alone.

Whether you are sharing something on social media or sharing something with the human sitting across from you at a coffee shop, I would encourage you to be genuine.

It is time that we start having more face to face conversations and less ranting in the comments section on Facebook. It is time that we look to our neighbor and ask them questions and show interest in their lives rather than hitting the "like" button on their latest photo.

When you decide to log in to Instagram, be an encouragement. Just like when you walk into a room, be an encouragement.

It seems that we are all aware that social media creates problems that we are willing to state but not necessarily address. We can make an impact on the lives of others by what we say and post.

If we are going to be real, how many times have you scrolled through someone else's social media account and gotten jealous? or hurt? or compared yourself to them? (YEP, ME TOO.)

Life is pretty messy, sloppy, difficult, beautiful, everchanging, painful, wonderful, joyful, and so much more. Invite someone into that today and get to know their real life.