
As life is lived, we begin to experience loneliness.
From a very young age to a very old one, we all face the same gut wrenching pain of loneliness. It lurks around every corner and can pounce without a moment's notice, wrapping the long tendrils of hopelessness around our hearts. Yet, in such a digital age we can find ourselves facing these feelings more often than should be.
With the constant access to people through social media networks like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, it can be easy to feel connected. We are constantly receiving updates on peoples’ lives - from big name celebrities to friends we haven’t spoken to in years. It is a constant reminder that there are people out living their own lives and we get to see these “exclusive” peeks into their day to day activities. This makes us feel like a part of their lives.
That is however, until you remove social media from the equation.
Over two months ago I decided to delete social media on what can only be described as a whim. There one day and gone the next. I have learned so many incredible lessons over the past few weeks. Yet, an area that is worth mentioning is connection. Almost every single life I thought I was somehow involved in was severed from my grasp when social media was deleted. People I cared about and felt connected to now had no way of contacting me or me them. Connection vanished with over half of the people I thought I knew.
It was an extremely sobering thought to realize that so many friendships were incredibly shallow - they had never made it past a direct message or even a like on a post. Loneliness and hopelessness certainly creeps in when you realize meaningful connections are ultimately missing from your life.
Is this all life has been reduced to? A like and comment here and there? No deep friendships that are likely to stand the test of time? I, for one, will not stand by and watch connections slip away into a sea of casual friendships. There is so much beauty in getting to know someone deeply and personally, it helps us grow and develop who we are not only as an individual but in connection with others as well.
We are very social beings, living in a very socially disconnected world. We were created for each other and as such, we must do our part to cultivate connections that go beyond social media. Loneliness can only be staved off when we develop relationships with others that will benefit them and ourselves.
Constant access to people through social media does not make us connected with them. To make a relationship work, we must put in the effort and the hard work to develop the connection. We must have patience, love, understanding, and a whole lot of grace in order to connect with others that are in our lives.
Social media has convinced us all that life can be lived through a phone screen, yet, if you were to remove social media from your life right now, how many connections would you have left?
Are you happy with that number?
- Lillian Merritt