Have you ever been offended by something you saw on Facebook/ Instagram? I'm sure most of us have, whether it was a picture,comment, etc. Of someone is directly saying negative thing about you and spreading it around, it can be hard to ignore. You're feelings can get hurt and your self esteem can take a hit. It's completely understandable for this to happen in today's world. People who normally don't even think of saying something to another's face now say those things from behind the comfort and protection of a computer screen.
Yet I feel this overwhelming sense that people have become so sensitive to negative words and are more likely to be offended by something they see on social media, even if it has absolutely no relation to them. What happened, everyone? What happened to not letting things get to us, showing how words can make us feel in way that doesn't hurt anyone else's feelings? What happened to following the phrase "Sticks and stone ma break my bones but words can never hurt me"?
Our culture has become so attached to social media and everything that relates to it, and it has allowed us to become more sensitive to any content we come across. It's so easy to see something and immediately spew out any opinion, comment or concern we have about it, and not think twice about anyone else who may have seen it. We all hide behind our screens, and suddenly have the courage to say something we would never say in public or might not even fully mean, all because we have the means and ability to do so without directly facing any consequences.
I think I started to notice that people get offended way too easily right around when the candidates for the next president began to make television appearances, speeches, and debates. Things the candidates would say about certain people, a specific policy, etc. would be plastered all over social media, and people instantly have the chance to become offended for whatever reason. I'm not saying some people's words aren't offensive or hurtful, but the thing is: they are just words.
Words can be a powerful thing depending on how one uses them, or how one lets them control their thoughts and feelings. That's the important thing. Only you have the power to control how someone else's words make you feel. They may make you feel sad, embarrassed, hurt, or offended, but that doesn't mean you have to act on those feelings like other people do. Don't take everything to heart. Take it in, breath, let it go, and walk away. There are more important things we as a society could worry about instead of a comment on Facebook. Imagine what would happen if more people could just learn to let things go and move on. I think the world would be a much less stressful place.
