The Case For Living In The Moment
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Case For Living In The Moment

Your pocket screen won't always help make memories.

9
The Case For Living In The Moment
Rachel Simpson

Recently, I have noticed that my generation is really good at documenting every moment of our lives. With the increasing popularity of Snapchat and Twitter, it has become very easy to take and post a photo to update followers on our daily doings. The problem with this is that we tend to focus more on how many have seen our posts and/or liked them, rather than actually enjoying the present moment. Taking pictures and videos as memoirs of events isn’t bad in and of itself, it becomes a problem when we are too concerned with taking these pictures and videos rather than being with the people around us.

One of the best examples of this obsession with documenting events rather than attending them is Snapchat videos of concerts. We’ve all done it, myself included. We want to share with the whole world that we are at a concert and we are having the time of our lives, so we record and post every. Single. Song. But, what happens after the show is over? You’ve actually attended a concert through a tiny screen, even though the artist is right in front of you, and missed out on enjoying it for face value. Not to mention your low quality, ten second videos probably missed a lot of what was happening around you. You’ve also missed the opportunity to bond with the people you came with and your storage is probably full now. Is it worth it?

As a general statement, our culture now thrives on constant communication with the rest of the world. Most social media accounts now are based off an assumption that people are going to use it for present moment updates for the account holder’s followers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be able to see how some old friends are doing and I am thankful to have the technology, but I think that we need to stress importance on unplugging as well. Too often, we get consumed with documenting events instead of being at the event. Then, we don’t have memories to look back on, just old photos without a story behind them. We have to enjoy the present moment and be present with the people around us because things will change so quickly. Being able to remember the time you spent with someone is more valuable than just a picture.

The best way to remember moments is to have those certain pictures and the story that goes along with it. But in order to do so, we have to be present in that moment and participate in the events happening around us, instead of the ones happening on social media. Things will change in a blink of an eye. Even for me, it feels like only two weeks ago I was starting high school, but now I am on track to graduate a semester early and am looking into what to do after I graduate college. I have made so many friends and memories in college and I am thankful to be able to look back on them. I have taken some really cute pictures at my sorority events with my sisters, but remembering the actual event and what happened that day is more sentimental in my opinion.

I challenge you to try to start attending events, not just documenting them. Take a few pictures of the scenery and with the people you go with, but really try to live in the moment. Take everything in. Be in the present with those around you. Avoid social media for the time being and be a part of the things happening around you. There is so much that we miss when we are glued to our social media and we can start taking in these things when we try to better participate in the present time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48373
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30742
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954641
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

176885
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments