Your day.
You wake up, grab your phone.
Check the email, text messages, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Pintrest.
20 minutes later, the bathroom is all yours.
Again check the phone. Any new messages.
Put down the phone.
Wash face.
Take phone but don’t look at it. It’s only been 1 minute since you last saw it.
Grab your clothes to wear that day.
Quick check if any new messages arrived.
Get dressed.
Take phone to kitchen.
Lean against counter and scroll through Instagram.
What did I miss last night? Nothing?
Head over to Facebook to check if anything happened there. Nothing. Or did my friends just not share or post it. What am I missing out in life? I’m sure something went on last night! I must know about it…
I’m beginning to feel lonely. Maybe Twitter? Maybe I missed a note on Facebook Messenger? Nope, none there. Really lonely now…
Drink giant milkshake along with a few cookies. I need a pick me up. I’m feeling sad. Does anyone want to spend time with me? I’m glad I have a job where I am relied upon. No, it’s not a rocket science job. I am replaceable. But I give it my all. I make a difference.
Even though many others can probably do the same job, I am confident that the way I do it means a lot. Those who I work with, value it. I see their expressions. I am grateful for being able to make a difference.
After work upon checking my messages, I discover a new group on WhatsApp that I’ve been added to. Yay! I’m invited to this weekends party at a friends house. I’m no longer desperate to join. I know I have value beyond social media friends.
I need to start living myself. I am special. I can make myself proud. I do not need anyone’s acceptance in order to feel better. Whatever my social life brings me is an extra. I need to start appreciating myself. For who I am.
I am not just another friend. I am “I” and “me”. I exist whether my social media friends call on me or not. I am proud of my accomplishments. They are many. I should pay attention to them. I will feel better. Checking my social media pages does more hurt to me. I will NOT check it now. Or now. Ok now. Not that I need to but rather to say ‘hi’ to those needing it.
Well written, too close to home. Write more!
Describes me exactly. I believe it’s an addiction
At first I thought, here we go another article trying to micromanage peoples lives. But I ditched facebook a year ago because as great of a tool as it is to stay in touch and express emotions and opinions, it is more destructive than helpful. It’s changed us into people that view disagreement as judgment. Talking about judging has become the new fad, meaning we can’t disagree. it’s made us attack our fellow man instead of lift him up. It’s made it so we can’t truly view ourselves as accomplished, even when we deserve it. The best thing I did… Read more »
apparently, we choose to embrace technology instead of running away from it – as we have a COL Live and chabad.org, etc. I think also the overall challenge is also relative with basic mitzvah’s like yedias hashem, ahavas hashem, yiras hashem – let me explain: hundreds of years ago, we all know there was no TV, not even cars or airplanes, lighting must have been a challenge, perhaps basic plumbing, etc. How much more natural it might have been to be in awe of creation, which the Rambam suggests in the beggining of mishna torah (chapter 3 and 4) that… Read more »
Why they arent getting yidishkeit. They cant function and have any self esteem or worth if they have this at a young age. Its hard on us their examples, bigger than us. How can they grow into fine normal humans when this is how their underdeveloped selves are living?
Who got married, what are the latest comments, did they post mine?
…is the biggest blessing possible, that we unplug from these addictions for 25 hours each week. Personally the second Shabbos is over I rush to turn my phone back on – I could never go without it for even a few hours during the week – Shabbos is the greatest gift, for our health and our sanity and our lives, the gift of disconnecting. Next month we have 3 3-day yom tovs, how incredible is it that we’re able to turn off the whatsapp, instagram, facebook, news updates, everything, for 72 full hours, and again and again. Ashreinu mah tov… Read more »
We can now create a new whatsapp group – 8 of us!
Wondering how much more will be next morning.
So we can properly connect with our spouses and kids!! Me included!
So true!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn’t agree more!!!!
It’s like someone wrote down what my morning is.!!! This is so embarrassing!!! I really needed this!! Thank yo!!!
And Thank G-D that’s why I’m not on any social media, whatsapp groups etc.
This really describes me
Wow very well written and unfortunately %100 true..
because I unfortunately do everything the author describes 🙁
And it’s awful to see it in print. I should be ashamed of myself.
Is this an addiction or is it life as we now know it?
Anyone have an answer?
Love it.
So true