Real Connections

I think about this concept of "real connections" often. That thought process eventually leads me to some questions. Should I delete my social media? Should I focus on my life right here, and right now? Why am I on social media? Is it just for the attention? Is it to share the experiences I've having and to relate to those around me?

I see a lot on the news about people not having real connections. About this generation of Millennials and younger having trouble carrying on conversations talking on the phone talking to people face-to-face whatever it is. I used to be really good at that kind of stuff. Now, I avoid eye-contact and can't spell for anything without spellcheck. I have "friends" on these sites, but are they friends? I never feel the need to call or talk to friends because I know what they're up to thanks to social media. Is that considered friendship skills these days or just stalking?

It makes me think, what are real connections? Could I continue living the life I have now without my phone? Without Facebook? Without Instagram? Without this blog? If I got rid of those, how the people around me treat me? Does it matter? Is it bad that I worry about people's judgement over me on if I have those sites or not?

It's so expected for everyone to have social media. You hear all the time phrases like, "Didn't you see that on Facebook?" or, "Can you see that on Instagram?" "Didn't you read that on Twitter?" And sometimes I really want my answer to be no. I want to know what's going on because that person talks to me, not because I saw it on their page.

Then other times I think, "This picture is really great.  I want everyone to see it! I want everyone to know that I've been here, that I've done this thing!" But then my husband asked me, why? And that's really hard to answer. Is it just show off all that I'm doing? Is it to make those around me jealous? Is it just show that I can compete in this world were all these people are doing these great things? I have to constantly check myself and remember that people really don't want to know every thought in my head or see every picture I take of my dogs. I started this blog to focus on my travels.Those are the memories worth sharing. Not that I went out to dinner with Hubs.

You have to remember that people only post the highlights of their life. People don't post the crappy part. People don't post the failures. People don't post the personal revolutions unless it's something profound and life-changing. So, why am I out there? Why am I putting myself out there? Why does so much of my life depend on how many likes I get or how many loves I get or how many comments I get? I don't mind keeping a blog. It's almost like an online diary like Xanga was. Do you remember Xanga? Do you remember Myspace? Everything becomes so dated. Sometimes I find myself only keeping Facebook just because it is one of the only means I have to keep in touch with some people. But does it enhance my life? Does it really make those friendship stronger? I honestly don't think so.

I fully plan, that by the time I'm 30 I will be off of social media (aside from this blog and my Etsy page.) I like writing on here and posting about trips I take to whomever the audience is. It could just be me, my grandma, my mom. Those, to me, are the thoughts worth sharing and remembering. How can I have good friendships, a good marriage, and be a good dog mom if I'm always on my phone? I want to live my life for the moment, not for the question of how many "likes" I can get.

As always,

-Sarah-