Lately the topic of negative social media impact on individuals became very popular and I thought I might have something to say, too.
While reading several articles about why and how exactly Facebook and/or Instagram "airbrushed reality" are bad for us (e.g. Do you have FOLO? (Fear of life offline) ELLE UK , December 2015), I realised that I do have some of these issues as well.
I am very sensitive and I did notice that when I browse Facebook and see how people constantly get married, become parents etc. eventually it all makes me feel sad. By the way, scientists have given this phenomenon a name - "Facebook depression". So this is for real.
Don't take me wrong, please: I am happy for them, as I always say, - good for them! :) , - however all this information just bombards me and my mind starts its yet another "mocking session": What's going on with my life? Where am I going? When am I gonna have kids?
And finally:
when do people have time for all this?
Sometimes I don't even have time to apply my eye cream in the morning, so I am probably not ready to be a parent yet )))
Of course I do realise, that if I would spent watching The Office series (American version!) and my beloved bloggers and music videos on YouTube, surfing Weheartit.com or Instagram for inspirational images at least half the time, perhaps my life would have been more fulfilled. I also hardly ever leave my work on time, plus the 1,5h commute and hectic (sometimes very tiring) life in the big city ... So each day is a challenge, you know! ))
But this is what I am also working on (recently finished an excellent book I know how she does it by Laura Vanderkam), that helped me to understand, how me to get more control of my time. I have even managed to squeeze the gym in, which I am very proud of. Now have to go there more often though, but nevertheless I am improving, and that is the main thing.
And even though some of my ex-classmates already have 2 kids and I am still behaving like a 15-year-old sometimes, I just want to do my own things at my own time, without being pushed or stressed, or impacted by someone elses choices.
Well, ideally, I want to live forever, or even have several lives at the same time... why is it too much to ask? :))
With Instagram my opinion is more controversial and I haven't made up my mind yet. On the one side, I am what you call a very visual person, so for me the aesthetics means a lot! However I do agree that we should definitely not overuse the filters and change the reality completely by adding contrasts and adjusting brightness again and again... until it is fake. The question for everyone is: how much editing is OK? At most times, I use Amaro, X-Pro II or Mayfair filters (I sometimes like to put a hint of FADE effect as well). I do quite like Aden, it is very warm, however it is a little bit too red-ish. But I always apply only 20-30, sometimes 50% (out of 100) of them to my images, not more.
And if it is nature, - which is one of my biggest sources of inspiration , - I don't apply any filters at all at most times, as the colours are already beautiful!
Another question is what to post. Selfies? Lunches? Pictures from night outs?
When we have been in Cuba recently, it was quite curious to observe a group of American tourists sitting at the table next to us in one of Havana old town cafés. They did't talk or laugh much, but took lots of classic "I'm in Cuba" themed pictures featuring cigars, Mojitos, hats... and they really tried to smile and made it look as if they are having fun. They have tried hard, man! You should have seen it!
We were witnessing Real life vs (what's shown on) Social media difference. And it was sad.
The difference between what we want people to see or to be captured and real life is a very
interesting subject. Even when little kids, we are being told to smile for the camera and not to show our grumpiness to get a so-called perfect picture. We were very well trained to hide our feelings and real emotions and demonstrate the world our pretty face.
Well here's a portrait of 5 year old me. I am not quite sure why do I look so serious on most of my childhood pictures and this in particular, but at least I know that I was real.
And maybe it is time to come back to that state.
And a relevant short movie, that most of you must have seen already, but nevertheless:
