Social Miscues

We have discussed this before - but you get out of life what you put into it. Want something good to happen? Put positivity and trust out into the world. Keep your energy on the positive wave, watch your body language - then keep living life. Good things will happen. 

Same goes for relationships (romantic or otherwise). If you want it to work, it's gotta be a two way street. You have to put in the work you want to receive back. If it does not come back to you - cut it loose. Let it go. Move on.

This includes but is not limited to new relationship ventures (see online dating post before this one), friendships (regardless of length of time), and family members. It takes 3 seconds to send a text, a few minutes to pick up the phone and call someone. 

Instead, most people post their every breath, every move, every second on social media. And for what? Attention. Sure, you can reach the masses better with social media, but don't you think you should communicate with your inner circle first? Rather than everyone find out on social media, and then the vague "i'll message you" comments start. 

This is not saying that social media is simply for attention. We want to celebrate the good things in everyone's lives, help them through the bad, and love them through the rest of life. But there are people out there that simply post cryptic things to seek attention. STOP SPENDING TIME WITH THESE PEOPLE. They WILL suck the life out of you eventually, and make you think it was all your fault. (Believe me.)

Respect everyone you hold close in your life. If you don't agree with something your friend, family member, significant other is doing - voice your feelings ONLY if you are asked, but understand it is their life not yours. If their choices are not directly effecting your life, don't worry about it. If they are making a point to not include you in things they used to, let them go. If it really bothers you, talk to them about it. IN PERSON. NOT over text. 

We have become such a screen focused society that we've lost the human interaction. My phone has been down more in the last 5 days than it has been in months. Sure, I have been unpacking my life (FINALLY) after living out of boxes for 2 and a half years. But I have also been sure to give the people in front of me my undivided attention. It was mentioned in a post previously, how we lose substance when we are listening to someone talk but mindlessly scrolling our phones. 

Does life take over, and people end up super busy with their new ventures? ABSOLUTELY! But if they have the time to post pictures, comment on peoples' posts, and update their own social media - and don't bother to reach out? It may be time to take a serious step back and reevaluate. Yes, social media is a way to keep everyone in your world up to date on your life, but to what end? 

The last 8 months have been about self discovery for me, with some life events tucked in. I have learned who is still standing after life falls apart, and who truly means they'll be there for me (cue FRIENDS theme song). The risks I have taken this year have certainly paid off in the long run, and whoever is still standing through it all (without judgement, resentment, or reservation) is the group I will surround myself with.

I saw this post on Facebook this morning that really hit me in the gut. "Make a list of things that make you happy. Make a list of things you do every day. Compare the lists. Adjust accordingly." Think about that. Do your lists line up? Are you really happy? What are you doing to make yourself  happy? 

If you can't line up these lists, it is certainly time to reevaluate your day to day. Live a life that brings you true happiness, surrounded by family and friends who do the same. Stop living your life "for the gram" and live life for YOU. Make your own memories. Stop waiting for everyone to like a picture you posted, or checking your Snap story to see if anyone's bothered to watch it. Stop letting your phone run your life. 

Be happy. If you're not, take the necessary steps to adjust and get you on the right path. Give yourself some grace - cut yourself loose from those who no longer add to your life. Stop waiting for someone else to make changes for you. 

YOU are in control.