We all can recall the annoying dial tone that echoed when you tried to log on to the internet. We can also never forget being so mad because your sibling was on the phone and all you wanted to do was get online. Before all the advancements in social media, we had more of a difficult time keeping up with long distance friends and family members. Today, there are so many platforms that we can interact on, we learn things about our peers we may not have known before. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have ingrained their way into our daily lives. As much as we hate to admit it, social networking can benefit our lives in so many ways. There are many reasons social media makes the world a better place, but the best moments of our lives simply cannot be found here.
I love social media and the concepts it has to offer. Take the Odyssey for example; thousands of college students across the nation get to take part in the experiences of their peers, whether good or bad. However, we do not broadcast every high and hide all the lows. We all wish that our online profiles reflected our real lives. We focus on creating these lives for others to see and we fail to realize that our best moments cannot be accessed via social media.
I can personally say that my friends are funny but not a normal type of funny. They bring me to tears on a daily basis. I am guilty of sharing several of our moments, but sometimes their antics just have to be seen. To capture all the amazing moments I have had with them, we would need a reality show. In the minutes, when we put the phones down, we dive deeper into our friendships. We have intimate conversations and ask the hard questions. We ponder over conspiracy theories and political ideologies. These instances of social media expose our real selves.
We have to ask ourselves, how much of our lives can actually be accessed via social media? Of course, we can post pictures, capture videos, and compile extensive statuses; but there is always something missing. Our devices cannot always capture the times when we are the happiest or living out our passions. The limits to social media can be a good thing; it allows us to leave a little mystery to our lives, especially in a world where everything is shared. In the flashes of social media silence, we are forced to find ourselves and face who we really are behind our usernames and personal profiles.
I encourage you to take some time away from your smartphone or laptop. Focus on creating a life for yourself that is simply just for you, simply just live rather than convincing others you have life.
