About a month ago, I felt compelled to deactivate my social media accounts.
I’d been thinking about doing so for a while, and when I found myself scrolling and filtering through so much of the noise, oversharing, and photo dumps that the world of social media can bring, I knew it was time to move forward with my exit. I began growing tired and disinterested in seeing and snapping pics every time I was out with my loved ones or enjoying the company of a friend. And I also felt inspired and encouraged to make my decision after reconnecting with a cousin I hadn’t seen since in years who told me that he wasn’t on any social media platforms at all. When he explained why, I was impressed. He told me that…
He doesn’t have the time.
He doesn’t want everyone in his business and knowing his every move.
And he doesn’t care about taking cute pics.
Imagine that?
Prior to my social media deactivations, my cousin asked me if I was on Instagram, and I replied, “No, I’m only on Facebook and LinkedIn.” I’ve been asked about Instagram before (by others) and I’ve never felt the need to join or juggle another social media platform while already managing the two I already have. My understanding of Instagram is that it’s a space where people post a lot of pictures and stories. And while that might sound fun for some, and in all honesty, probably is, I just don’t feel the need to partake in the “let’s take some cute pics and post them” space much more these days. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy taking pictures or posting and sharing some of them with others sometimes, it’s just that I’m not thirsty for attention, or a large following, or feel the need to post pictures to obtain a lot of “likes.” I imagine that being that thirsty for that kind of attention must be exhausting and emotionally draining and depleting. Yet, so many people live for taking the next “cute pic.”
Well, I don’t. At least not anymore.
One night, I had an epiphany that just came to me in the timeliest way. There’s more to life than taking cute pics.
While I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with cute pics or snapping some here and there, I do believe it’s okay to keep some things to yourself. Everyone doesn’t need to see or know everything about you. I also believe in moving with intention and checking my motives before I decide to snap or post anything. I never want to be the type of person who takes pics just to share them with others or to impress people I don’t know, some of whom may not care much for me anyway. My real life is happening each day, and there are some special moments and memories I’ve been fortunate to build that don’t need to be documented and shared with everyone else.
If you’re reading this right now, I encourage you to check your motives and to ask yourself why before you snap that next cute pic. If you’re genuinely being yourself and capturing the moment, that’s cool. But if you’re only taking pictures for attention, you may want to reevaluate why you’re doing what you’re doing.