My name is Daphne Nierop and welcome to DFreshWriting.
In the world, as it is today, I feel like we are more online than offline. Every day it becomes harder to keep up with the trends and the pressure of being liked based on your followers becomes bigger and bigger. Becoming an influencer, instafamous or a vlogger is a serious trend.
I do believe that this social movement brings us benefits, but for me, the real question is if the importance of being liked online expands beyond real human relationships?
Yes, I agree that we are so much more connected with each other, we can know what is going on on the other side of the world. For myself, for example, Facetime makes it possible to see my dad even though I study more than 4000 miles away from home. Back in the days, when my dad was a teenager and working on the other side of the world, he disappeared for a couple of months. Having a phone call cost a lot of money and there was no wifi to send a quick text. But even though I have so many possibilities to connect with my family and friends while being overseas, nothing compares to a hug in person, and a conversation where you feel the interaction.
The truth is, that living in 2020 we can’t live without our technology anymore, even though you want to. Our Agenda’s, contacts and how we find the route to an event are all centered on our phone, but I believe that the phone is not a tool anymore, but a need. It doesn’t matter where we are anymore, whether we stand in line at the grocery store, waiting for the bus, waking up or eating at the ding table, it has to be one minute and most people grab their phone already. I don’t know if it’s because it easily entertains yourself when you are bored or that you are afraid of missing out? We are either sharing something of our lives or looking at others.
“We are living for the screen and through the screen, rather than for and through each other”
Silicon Snake Oil
I believe it all has to do with attention. When do you decide to look on your phone, and when to put it away. The time you are in the present, that’s when you are building relationships. Having a lot of followers is fun, but will not help you overcome your struggles. Being not on your phone while having a conversation, is not only a form of respect but gives you also the opportunity to listen. The benefits of being a great listener are bigger than you can imagine but are only possible when you are not distracted by something else.
And I know, it’s really easy to hide behind a screen, but I would like you to challenge you, that the next time you grab your phone out of boredness, put it away and observe what is happing around you, listen to the conversations others have, or start one by yourself.
~ Daphne Nierop, DFreshWriting
Daphne Nierop 