About a month ago I erased Snapchat. I've deactivated it before, hoping it would break the toxic relationship I had with my phone, but actually erasing it made it serious. Memories flooded my mind of all my favorite nights, gym selfies and conversations while I read the last email from Snapchat reminding me I have one month to undo my doing. Did I really need to erase my Snapchat? I love their filters and GIFs.Then I remembered how I truly could care less about everyone's sunsets, coffees and bitching about how they hate life and the people in it.
I use Instagram and Facebook still, so I'm no saint. But, what I've realized from using these apps is passive aggressive behavior coming from all of us. We like people's posts with the intent they will like our posts. I'm sure we've all sent and received an "I'm almost at 300 likes, please like my picture" or the annoying snap "like my pic please". Now with Instagram stories, people post "New pic make sure you like!" It's all about liking to like, and it's not in my authentic nature to be so involved. I feel Snapchat's purpose is to get a snapback, so I decided to take a step back.
Doing so altered my friendships and dating scene. I don't talk to as many people on a daily basis as I used to. The purpose of our conversations grew from a chat on Snapchat. I don't necessarily feel isolated, but there are fewer conversations to pass the time.
I feel as left out as I don't. Insta stories suck me back into watching the same behaviors. It feels as if I haven't left the world of Snapping, but I never see the more "intimate" pictures and by that I mean the random gym sessions, fancy city drinks, or selfies of me and friends. There are times I feel sad that I don't have one, but it's solely because I can't see what I look like if I'm being Snapchatted. The fact that I can't see what I'm doing when I'm drunk and cute and living in the moments makes me feel empty despite the fact I'm drunk, cute and living in the moment. And that is a true Millennial problem.
As a single girl using all the dating apps, I'm more aware of how Snapchat is seen as the next level of intimacy. About 2 of 5 guys ask me for my Snap after we've had a decent conversation. Then, I hear nothing. They think I'm a creep because I don't have Snapchat. When I did use it I received an array of daily snaps, from overkill play by plays of their day or the infamously unnecessary penis shot. Who's the creep now?
It's a true blessing in disguise in the dating scene. I've managed to weed out most "big d*ck energy" guys, despite their god given size. I don't get the late night snaps from guys with girlfriends, or feel drool from thirsty dudes asking for nudes. If I'm into a guy and he wonders why I don't have Snap I slide in with the: "I don't have snap, but I do have a number…"
After having Snapchat erased for a month, it has filtered out small talk, but left the people worth chatting to. My close consistent friends are still here for me and I talk to more guys through texting than the simple one-liners on snap. Yes, I don't see my friends drunkenly stumbling on Snapchat, but I have no choice, but to enjoy our escapades in person.
