Today, technology has taken over as one of the most important and prominent aspects of our era. Social media, in particular, seems to have a strong hold on people of our generation. Recently, it appears that millennials are more focused on what they can portray on social media than on what is actually happening around them. Sometimes, social media is used as a way to convince friends/followers that one has the most exciting, adventurous life. People use social media as a way to portray a life that may not be as great as it looks to outsiders looking in.
Life is about being in the moment. The most important parts of life are often the ones that we cannot replicate. They’re the moments that come out of nowhere, and are often so short that if you don’t pay attention, you will miss them.
Unfortunately, much of our generation is consumed with presenting their lives in a light that implies their lives are more exciting than others.
I, too, have succumbed to the societal norm of presenting a lot of my life on social media. Whether it be at parties on the weekends or just doing things with my friends, I typically document it on at least one social medium, usually on Snapchat, and present it to my social media followers.
For a short amount of time last semester, I did not have a phone. During this time, I was remarkably more involved in the actual events of my life. Gone was the obsession of being on my phone, and I was much more appreciative of the time spent with my friends, making memories that I would not have experienced being inattentive. The moments you will always remember.
Yes, getting used to not having a phone in my hand 24/7 was something I had to adjust to, but once I did I literally felt as though I had more freedom.The phone that was constantly in my hand was no longer there, and I felt as though I no longer had an obligation to be present on social media to everyone I knew. The problem lies with millennials being overly concerned about their social media presence, and less concerned with the now.
It is more important to be present in the here-and-now than it is to be obsessed with documenting every moment of your life. Social media is a wonderful technological advancement, but it comes with its own set of consequences. Although it is a gift, it is a gift that should be used with caution. What is important to keep in mind is that someday our phones and social media accounts will be gone; all we will be left with is the memories that we keep inside our heads.
Anastasia Cottone is a contributing writer for the Bona Venture. Her email is cottona16@bonaventure.edu
