Before I begin, let me preface my article with this: cell phones rock. I love my iPhone, I respect the Android users out there, and I'll even admit that I low key want flip phones to make a comeback solely because nothing feels better than snapping the phone shut at the end of a phone call. I love Twitter and Instagram, I shamelessly Snapchat in public, I spend time searching for the perfect emojis, and the Netflix app on my phone, honestly, might be one of the greatest things since sliced bread.
Recently, I realized cell phones have actually taken away my sense of peace. The fear of missing out is real. And I had not realized it until I spent spring break sick and stuck at home in bed. Nothing to do, but Netflix and social media. Sure, the first two days were great. I finally got a break from the school work grind, I slept for 10 plus hours for the first time in weeks. I was a lifeless couch potato and enjoyed every minute of it. Eventually, without the college campus to keep me entertained, and with my friends away somewhere tanning on a beach, I was forced to be alone. More importantly, I was forced to be still. I had time to put down my phone. I went for walks with my mom and enoed with my little sister. I sat outside and said hello to neighbors I have not seen since I left for school. It was refreshing. Nothing seemed to be pressing. And more importantly nobody knew where I was or what I was doing. I liked it. Nobody to keep up with and nobody to impress.
When I returned to school on Monday, I left my phone in my room when I went to class. Honestly, I'm embarrassed by the FOMO (fear of missing out) I experienced during one 50 minute class. What if a friend texts me for lunch? What if the internet explodes? But after the first class, I realized how much easier it was to focus on what was right in front of me. I try not to get on my phone during class to begin with, but it was even easier when the temptation to check the time, respond to a text, or glance at my email was all back in my room. Walking back from class, I was aware of just how many people spend every free minute looking down and glued to a screen. It's actually surprising that we don't have more kids running into signs, poles, buildings, and each other. I can barely walk without tripping over my own two feet so it was impressive to watch others skillfully maneuver crowds and cross streets while checking Twitter.
When I went to dinner with friends later in the week, I left my phone behind in the car. I just enjoyed being with my friends so much more. We sat at a big table and we talked and caught up. I was able to actually listen without the of distraction of my little screen lighting up. Later that night, I collapsed in bed exhausted. I rolled over and started scrolling only to pause and ask why? Why do we constantly post and compare and wonder and worry and stress over not being here or there? Is what we share reflective of our real lives? How many people actually know what our struggles are? Our real joys and excitements?
Sure, it's easy to post the good and the pretty but remember who sees the ugly and the honest and the real. We have all heard the phrase "If a girl didn't post a picture did it really happen?" How sad it is that the statement is becoming accurate.
FOMO is real and I don't doubt it will continue to grow with social media. What if we started to make memories that can be stories you can tell your kids rather than trying to encapsulate a friendship in an Instagram post or a fun day in a six second Vine. Live a life so full that there may not be time to share every high and great moment. Have some memories so perfect and so special that they are reserved only for the people that were there, not for all 500 followers. FOMO is only real if you let it be. My biggest fear is no longer that I am missing out but, rather, that I haven't been present enough in my experiences.
