Stay weird. : Let's put social media in its place!

This is probably the most awkward time of the year. The space between December 26 into the early parts of the following year makes people realize the concept of time. Leading up to Christmas, we rush time to get past our final exams to finally be able to lay in bed past noon watching Netflix and not feel sorry about it. If you work in retail, you rush time because you would rather work a double shift with no pay than to hear the same Disney pop star sing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” over the store’s loudspeakers on repeat all day every day. If you’re a poor kid like me, you rush time because you desperately need your next paycheck. After all the hustle and bustle that comes with Christmas day, what’s left? There is a feeling of deflation that resonates after you open the last of the presents and eat the last gingerbread cookie. Back to reality, we go. Then there is only a week until New Years and you realize, “Dang. I have really wasted a lot of time this year, haven’t I?” So for the last days of the year, you approach life with open arms and think of ways to try to make up for lost time. Then there are those who see the New Year as a portal into the “new better You”; magically the new year will give you a chance to evolve into the person you were meant to be.

It’s all essentially…a load of crap.

We should all strive for self-improvement; if we didn’t, we would all look and act like we did in junior high and NOBODY wants that, do they? No. Never. *Grimaces at the memory of 7^th grade.*

In the age of technology, social media has become the meter of one’s self worth. We judge how people view us based on how many “likes” we get on a selfie. We post long sappy statuses about how much of a Good Samaritan we are when in reality, isn’t the opposite of humbleness, arrogance? We feel the need to comment half-hearted compliments on each other pictures but then avoid that person in public when you actually have a chance to have face-to-face contact with them. (Note to females: Do you really think that girl is just “so perfect” or are you trying to get on good terms with her?) It is all a game of “How Many ‘Likes’ Can I Get?” The more the merrier. If I get more likes on a picture than her, I have beaten her at being prettier.

Instead of living our lives in the present, we instead live it through social media. The New Year brings resolutions of healthier physical and mental lives but really all we will do is attempt a half-a$$ job at self-improving but post pictures about our efforts on Instagram so that our followers are convinced we live such an interesting life. False.

Social media has its place. After my freshman year of college, I decided to take more pictures of what I do as a way to remember all the good, the bad, and the ugly times. But here is the difference: if your goal is to get people to like you through what you post on social media then you are setting yourself up for failure. Your self-worth can’t be found in Instagram notifications or twitter retweets. Know who you are as a person, what you stand for, your life goals, but most importantly know that you were designed by God Himself who is a sinless God. This PERFECT God took the time to design your body and map your life. Why doubt His PERFECT vision? Use social media to connect with others rather than to a way to try to connect with you.

Resolutions are healthy. Post multiple pictures of your dog on social media; if that’s what makes you happy, do it. Have a humble heart; don’t post about your good deeds for applause. Give compliments whole heatedly both online and in person. Know where your self-worth is truly found.

And remember: Time only keeps passing. Don’t wish it away. Appreciate the little things in life.

Self-Improvements for 2014 (and years to come):

1) Run more.