Jesus died for our sins, but I gave up social media for Lent
My parents have always made a big deal out of Lent. I feel like it was always their way of trying to get me to eat more vegetables or spend more time on my homework, and frame Jesus as the instigator. Now that I am older I know that was 100% the case.
Every year I try to give up something social media related, and every year it lasts for about a week. I can remember one specific spring in high school, where I decided to give up every single one of my social media apps. I told myself that I wouldn’t go on social media through my phone, so this Lent turned into me logging onto Twitter on my laptop. There needs to be a twelve-step program for people like me.
It is no secret that my life is somewhat dictated by social media. Everyone who knows me knows I have a Snapchat caption and Instagram story for everything. Why is this? For me, growing up in such a digital dense time period, most of my relationships have been formed and molded through media. Of course I still see my friends in-person and have those nights where I forget about my phone, but many of my friendships have been strengthened by the ability to be in constant communication.
There’s A Negative Side to My iPhone? Who Knew!
What are some of the downfalls of virtual connections? Well, especially in the past year as a global pandemic has taken over, we have seen these virtual connections replacing real-life connections. To put this in perspective, I have not yet met one of my Professors from this year in person. For some people, this doesn’t seem too bad, but for me who thrives on personal connection, it has led to anxieties and stressors that I had never experienced prior to virtual learning.
Not only has my learning taken a hit from the sudden turn of events resulting in a virtual reality, but so has my social life. As an extroverted person, I have been finding myself craving alone time and preferring a digital connection over hanging out with my friends in person. This could be due to how brains have been rewired to work and adjust to all the changes happening around us with a pandemic. When people go from constant in-person contact to none at all besides family members for months, it can change the way we perceive the world and other people.
Steve Jobs Created a Monster With Attachment Issues
Along with emotional connections through technology, comes attachment issues. I have always heard of attachment issues with relationships or even sentimental belongings, but never felt them harder than when my phone one day mysteriously turned off and wouldn’t turn back on again. We’ve all been here. When the screen goes black and shows the white apple icon for hours until you cave and go to the Apple store. A 20-something nerdy guy tries to calm down your 17-year-old diva self who can’t seem to go more than an hour without an Instagram refresh. Those employees deserve a therapy copay along with their salary.
Kim Kardashian gets emotional with iPhone in hand, similar to myself.
All in all, it may sound dramatic, and it definitely is, but digital media and culture has rewired the way not only myself, but much of my generation, tends to think and act. Going out with friends is always documented, thoughts are usually never kept to oneself if you own a Twitter account, and Lent will never be the same again.