Something I like to challenge myself to do is to stay off my phone. Live life as it’s happening, not through my phone and social media. Being the people watcher person I am, I notice most of my generation isn’t really living. I don’t want my happiness to come from a like on instagram or my self confidence to be built on the amount of followers I have. Unfortunately this is a reality for most people my age and younger. Our devices and social media have taken over our lives. I go out to eat just to see families not even talking to each other, just glued to their phones. Relationships starting in unique ways now have turned into a “dm” on instagram. I wonder to myself what has happened to this world.

It makes me sad to see 5 year olds with smart phones or tablets. All I know is when I was a kid I had the time of my life playing outside and adventuring with my neighbor friends. I understand the times are changing but that’s no excuse to be addicted to a lit up screen.

It’s truly something to spend a day with friends just talking and catching up on life, no phones involved. This can create closer friendships because it feels like your friends actually care about what you have to say and enjoy your company. Opposed to going out with friends to say maybe a few sentences because each of you are to involved in what’s going on on your phone.

I feel I get the most out of life without being attached to my phone. My favorite thing is to go on walks and take in the beauty of everything around me. It’s things like that you can’t feel through a phone. Real life experiences are what make you feel alive.

Social media has ruined a lot of people’s self confidence and more. I just want to remind everyone, you are more than the likes you get, you are loved by you friends and family no matter how many followers you have. Your beauty lies within your heart, not what people say through a screen. Start living life to the fullest, become connected with the world around you, not through Facebook. Challenge yourself to experience life without distractions. Be present, you never get these days back, don’t waste them wishing you were someone else on social media.