There is no question that we live in a time when technology is dominant and iPhones have officially taken over, so much so that a text in a green bubble may immediately lead to questioning a friendship. Whether you’re texting, adding to your Snapchat story, Instagramming your latest adventure (doing it for the gram), or tweeting your daily words of wisdom, it seems that this generation is either going to have severe neck problems or carpal tunnel. Equally as detrimental, however, is that we are missing what is going on right in front of us. While we are showing our friends how much fun we are having via Snap, we aren’t living in the moment and experiencing it 100 percent. Now, I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to this, but I'll admit that we have a problem and it's time to change.

I’m not saying you should always feel guilty for being antisocial and staring at your phone; I’m simply saying that there is a time and a place. While you are in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, sure, scroll through your timeline and all of your feeds. But when you are at dinner with family? For the love of everything, please put it away! Out with friends and not having a good time? Chances are it’s because of that jerk who isn’t even there, but is still killing your vibe on the other end of the phone. Whether he’s not answering your text or his Snap story has you annoyed to the max, he shouldn’t even have your attention in the first place. Put it on silent and live your life. Social media and the rest of the world/your followers can wait.

Don’t get me wrong here, I am all about taking as many pictures possible. Making memories, am I right? Post it later though, when you’re by yourself and it's more acceptable to check your phone every five seconds. And get those pictures developed! Don’t just use them in your profiles. Go print and save them to show your kids and then their kids. Nobody keeps photo albums these days because everything is on some type of profile, and developed pictures have become somewhat of a rarity. Let's fix this.

I’m sorry if taking this advice affects the number of “likes” you get but you’ll thank me later when you have stories to share about memories made because you weren’t absorbed in technology. Plus, if you look up from your phone next time, you won't miss the wicked cute guy on the T (you're welcome). Be fully present, live in the now.