The Problem with Social Media, ft Yagnik Makani

Buddha once said; "Change isn't painful; resisting it is." Pause your reel-scrolling for a sec, let's dive into something light and real.

I hope you're not tired of scrolling through reels, so perhaps you'll read📖 this. I'm uncertain about what I'm going to write, but whatever I express might be a reflection of the way I am. So here we go.

Sometime before, I got to know about the term "Conservatism". Conservatism is that which never accepts modernization. In this matter, once Osho🤯 pointed out "India is a rich country where poor lives". However, modernization takes time to change people's thoughts because it's always something new. To accept it, you have to take a leap into the river.

After 2020, our lives picked up pace compared to the time before it. In 2020, India experienced a significant shift: a surge known as social media. Since the arrival of Jio in 2016, I believe it marked a second revolutionary phase for India's digital evolution. At that time, all Indians were at home due to the pandemic.

It was the time when TikTok transformed into Instagram and Snapchat 👻, TVs converted into mobiles📲, and society seamlessly transitioned into the realm of social media. It was a time when everything shifted – from religion to childhood games – embracing a digital makeover. Content creators emerged, and we cherished life more than ever. It was a time when we cherished our lives more than anything.

Buddha nailed it 💡with, 'Change is never painful; only resistance to change is painful.' So true, especially when we all find ourselves caught up in one addiction or another.

There are various addictions, and at times, I find myself hooked on Instagram. We've got our pick of addictions – from singing🎤 to listening👂, watching reels, Snapchat, you name it. But most of us end up hooked on things where we find like-minded folks. That's why Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, PUBG, etc., are so addictive.

I used Snapchat 👻 for 2-3 years, and then suddenly, I realized that it was putting pressure on me. Streaks became burdens, and I didn't want to be the "Gautam Gambhir" of this era.

After a while, it just lost its charm for me. At this stage of our lives, peace comes from sunsets🌅, beaches🏖️, plants🌱, and mountains🗻, not from human beings.

We don't want to waste our time, but we end up watching some stupid videos on social media like reels and shorts. but there we are, scrolling through reels and shorts. We're hooked because they resonate with our lives. The solution? Find something beyond, something more interesting, something that justify the worth of the time that we spend on it, something that makes you free and something that can make you happy in real way (Unlike of getting dopamine spikes from reels and shorts).

While writing✍🏼 this, I know nothing will change, but my opinion is we need to be true to ourselves. Whatever we do is always right in our head, irrespective of anything as majority of time is driven by our pleasure. So, it just about getting out of the box, realizing and getting to know about the things outside of the box as well.

We all showcase our happiness on social media, and that's cool😎. But sometimes, our resistance to it changes.

We post stories, pretending to be happy😜, trying to prove we're the happiest. I hope you're not kicking me out of your generation for saying this. No idea why I wrote it, but it's my opinion, not advice. I never give advice because you all know more than me, and it's my pleasure that you know me😊.

In the end, just remember: 'Your opinion is who you are.' Not entirely sure of my intention, but I want to make it clear – my aim wasn't to offend. Follow any path you want, just be "REAL," not "RIYAL." Thanks for taking a break from reels to read this. Appreciate it.

✍🏼 @yagnik_makani

I know you are stumbled, as I know how good my friend Yagnik is. If not, I'll try as well. So, let's start my rollercoaster 🎢 again, Hold tight as we plunge into the profound realm of change – where, as my friend Yagnik rightly puts it, "Change isn't painful; resisting it is."

Sometimes we open up our phone 🤳 and subconsciously we just click Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat or any other platforms or in other words, we just open these applications unknowingly. In that case, question arises WHY? Yeah, we've all been there. It's like a dog's instinct to chew on a bone. But guess what? These social media platforms are no accidents; they've got armies of top-notch psychologists crafting them. Do we think we can compete against them?? The answer is not that simple. YouTube videos, Shorts, and reels recommendations are like a magnet in a same way smokers seek cigarettes🚬 or drinkers hunting for that perfect sip🍾.

There are numerous health effects of social media such as

1) Inadequacy about your life or appearance

2) Fear of Missing Out

3) Physical Health

4) For some it led to Mental health issues as well

And list can goes on ..

We have got the ultimate distraction in our hands, which is the smart phone, or rather the few apps in it. Many times, we decide to do something or learn something, and we start, unknowingly we end up with stupid videos or the reels. It is very simple we are giving our precious time to them. Here's a reality check: On average, a person lives around 60-70 years. Factor in 8 hours of sleep daily, and bam, you're down to 42-44 years. Now, toss in about 4 hours daily on social media across platforms, and you're left with a mere 35 years to juggle schooling, college, jobs, and the rest. Got the point?

Now, few drops of wisdom💡: "A life (time) is too Precious to have." Our time is more precious than anything imaginable, so let's not let it slip away. Wise men once said, "Take care of your life – both mental and physical fitness are equally important." So, are you ready to seize the wheel of your own adventure? The clock's⌛ ticking, and this rollercoaster is waiting for you to make it legendary! 🚀

रात गवाई सोय के, दिवस गावाया खाय I

हिरा जन्म अनमोल था, कोडी बदले जाय I

✍🏼 @raj_senjaliya