For starters, I don't hate social media. In fact, this article will start with the emphasis that I love it too much; and that's the problem. I think social media is such a good thing but you know, the saying goes: "too much of anything, is a bad thing". The positive aspect of social media I believe, is the reason why it even exists: you can connect with people all over the world, share parts of your life and celebrate others while doing it.
It's no surprise that within the last few years, social media has become a platform for those seeking a career in various forms of media. Whether it be music, art, writing, dancing, etc... social media has become the means in which individuals can share their talents.
This is where personally, for me, the good turns into bad.
I can't and dare I say, won't put my phone down. I am terrible at responding to texts and taking phone calls but will spend the first and last moments of each day, watching videos of a singer doing a song cover to the point where it's better than the original, or watching videos of my friends playing instruments, making music, making art and while I celebrate their talents, I begin to compare myself.
I start to see the talent and passion each person I come in contact with possess and then begin to tear myself down for not being as passionate and talented as them.
That's the problem. I am passionate, we all possess talents, but you know what? I won't exercise them by staring at a screen. I can still celebrate my friends and their dreams, and still work on accomplishing my own.
I can sit here and say I'll be one of "those people" who will partake in a social detox but that honestly won't fix the problem. I have to make the decision for myself that, just like my friends and love ones spend hours trying to perfect their talents and invest in their passions, I SHOULD TOO.
Maybe comparison creeps in because deep down I know i'm investing in the wrong thing. Too much scrolling and "likes" can be draining.
So next time you find yourself scrolling in class, or in the waiting room, at the dinner table, at a hangout: remember to stop and take the time to invest in what you love and WHO you love because wishing you were someone or with someone else, based off what others look like and share on their social media pages, won't make you happy.
Be happy with who you are, where you're going, who you're with and put the phone down. You'll live.
Really, truly, live.
