Snap stories. Pictures on Instagram. Facebook posts. Even LinkedIn updates. Whether or not we're happy with where we're at in life, these things can make us second guess the choices we're making or how we spend our time.

Social media has become a series of platforms that test our gratitude. We twist images that have been edited, updates that have been posted to boast, and envy adventures documented through short, 10 second videos. How can we be grateful if we're constantly living in a state of comparison?

Gratitude is looking at all of these things, and then putting down the phone ro be present. I can't say that I find this to be easy, because I'm as much of a culprit of constantly having my phone in my hand and refreshing as anyone else. Recently though, I've been looking beyond the screen, and I've found happiness in the pace of my life, the choices I've been making, and the ways in which I've been discovering new facets of myself.

What I've learned is that gratitude has to come from within. You have to be willing to look for it. To look up even if your headphones are in. To read an article for class and then reflect on how it relates to your life. You have to be willing to take leaps that allow you to face your fears, even if facing those fears means making major changes in your life.

I'm not going to go on a rant about how you should be grateful for the little things that are big to other people: food, water, a roof over your head, etc. You've heard all of that before. I'm telling you to scroll, double tap, but stop being jealous.

I'm telling you to be proud of your friend who posts the status update about their new job, and not worry that you're taking the semester to focus solely on school. I'm telling you to take some time every day, maybe even just 45 minutes, to check out of the digital world and focus on one thing that allows you to feel connected to yourself, your mind, and your heart.

For me, it's putting my phone in a locker and working out. For you it might be writing or getting lunch with a friend, or listening to music. The possibilities are endless.

We can't feel truly grateful until we change the way we look at the digital world that is impossible to avoid. It's just part of our everyday life. I know I have to work on this too. Your life isn't based on the number of likes you get. It's about having experiences that lead you to find love, adventure, and of course, gratitude for all of these things.

Be true to yourself. Be open to new experiences. Allow people to come into your life. Let yourself get hurt. And grow from it all. Gratitude stems from growth. The more you grow, the more grateful you'll allow yourself to be.

Most importantly, don't erase from your memory the hard parts of your story. I'm grateful for some of the hardest things I've been through. Those experiences have tested my character, my strength, and my ability to go about my daily life. But I wouldn't be the person I am today. And neither would you if you can relate at all to what I'm talking about.

Wake up. Be grateful. Kick ass. Be both proud and humble. Repeat.