You Don't Have To Have A Snapchat To Have A Social Life
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

You Don't Have To Have A Snapchat To Have A Social Life

Don't call a life without Snapchat barely surviving.

852
You Don't Have To Have A Snapchat To Have A Social Life
Pixabay

Snapchat is probably the most recent and innovative way to keep in touch with friends, especially those that live far away. The freshest, hottest way to send pictures... interpret that how you see fit.

It's the best approach to stalk friends when you don't know where they are and want to make sure they are alive, depending on how creepy you are feeling. It's the easiest way to see someone's face when you miss them. You gotta save that streak, always. It's the most accessible tool you can use to make yourself look better when you're not feeling so hot. It's the handiest app available when you want to keep up with the news in real time by watching the stories. It's the cutest way to send your friends the articles and blurbs that remind you of them, especially the fun puns.

But most importantly, it is the finest way to feel like you're involved in somebody's life via their story all in instant time.

Who wouldn't want this?

I'll be honest. It's all about your perspective.

I've had a Snapchat for approximately the past 6 years--even before I had an iPhone (when I used my iPod Touch to send unattractive, grainy photos to my classmates just to make new best friends--SHHH).

I was always an advocate for the app that had changed social media for the better, but somewhere along the way, it started chipping away at me and I let it, without even realizing it. It began to silently define my worth because I could barely put my phone down due to a condition that I didn't know even know I had developed.

It's the app that revolutionized using FOMO to their advantage.

For those that are living under a rock, FOMO stands for the FEAR OF MISSING OUT.

FOMO is a real thing, even though I never wanted to admit it. I felt it every time I would watch someones individual Snapchat and wasn't with them and wanted to be. I felt it every time I watched someone's story and wasn't with a group of people that I associated myself with. That's the natural human reaction.

In these instances, a small bit of my self-esteem was chipped away at. It's not something I like to admit, but it's true. That happened. This was the case early on in college.

Time rolled on and I really found myself always questioning why I even had Snapchat anymore because I wasn't using it as much. I had such a love, hate relationship with it because I didn't want to get rid of it and not be able to "keep in contact" with my friends. I didn't want to feel left out.

At this point though, I had found my way to discovering the value I carried within myself, and yet this app was always there--lighting up my phone, tempting me to open the notification instantly, making me feel guilty/inadequate if I didn't answer right away.

This time it wasn't about how I saw myself. It was about my self-control and the effect Snapchat was having on it. Although FOMO was still a real thing for me, I always felt like Snapchat was controlling the amount of time I was spending on certain things, especially school and the quality of my relationships. It distracted me from the other things in my life that I felt like I had been neglecting for long enough.

It was driving me crazy. So I deleted it.

I can honestly say, I don't miss it.

I've tried reactivating it a few times, but for some reason, I can't hold myself to keeping it yet.

In short, it was a choice for me--choosing to be down one social media platform.

Some people would say that my choice means that I'm choosing to drop off the face of the planet. Electing to drift away from modern technology and fall behind the curve.

I don't see it like that.

For me, it's about making choices that I believe really are for the best. Because we all make them.

How we go about them is different, but in the end, we all make the decisions that change us.

So no.

I'm not dropping off the face of the planet, and I'm not choosing to distance myself from the people on my snap list.

I'm simply choosing a snap free life.

One where I don't feel the urge to constantly pick up my phone to respond. One where I'm not aware of when people open my messages . One where I'm not overwhelmed by the possibility that if I don't know exactly know what's happening in all of my friends lives in that instant, that's it's okay because it doesn't change the value of our friendship.One where I can freely and more easily choose the things that are right there in front of me instead of what's lighting up my phone screen all the time.

Life has so much meaning. People have so much to give.

And that is so much more clear to me without Snapchat in my life.

It's my choice. & there's nothing wrong with that.

On the contrary, I don't think there's anything wrong with having it either. It's just not for me in this moment in time.

But please, don't call a life without Snapchat barely surviving. Because for some people, they would say they are indifferent to not having it and may even thrive without it.

Because in all honesty, without it, I have been able to be reminded of the things life gave me before the app was even in existence. And that's been the most precious gift.



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.

57176
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?

36884
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.

958632
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.

190440
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