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If an anonymous comment or a not so perfect picture can take you on an emotional roller coaster for days altogether, is it worth the time and effort?
During this lockdown, social media, for me, became the elephant in the room. The pandemic sealed its fate. Let’s say social media got the validation from TIME itself. Now, whether or not, I am a fan of social media has become irrelevant. It has a vast influence, gigantic reach and enormous power over us.
Though social media provides a great networking platform for almost everyone and everything, its negatives outweigh the constructive uses. We see several social media influencers taking a break from it. Depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying, are some of the clinically diagnosed syndromes associated with excessive use of social media. Meanwhile, FOMO (Fear of missing out) is yet another aspect of it that a number of people go through.
Sharing every detail of our lives, constantly following trends and craving validation from anonymous people, is how social media adds fuel to fire. We have become a generation where likes and comments of people on social media make or mar our day. It shocks me, to even imagine the kind of power social media holds over us.
The system has, somewhere, failed our young adults by letting them fall into this trap. They are constantly judged for their looks, lifestyle choices and for who they are.
Someone who is not active on social media is not cool enough to hang out with. There is an incessant pressure to be visible. The havoc this creates with their self-esteem at such a young age is unequivocal. Body shaming is one of the major issues to deal with.
The unrealistic standards set on every aspect of life is not only an illusion but a difficult one to break. Growing up, teenagers and young adults are dealing with numerous questions as it is.
Trying to find their foothold in life, they are already dabbling with the world around with uncertainty. All social media does is add to their woes. Conforming to social media standards to lead your life is an unimaginable task.
One picture never tells a full story. It might be a perfect moment captured but it is not the authentication for the perfect life. Social media is the false world of perfection. The actual life unfolds behind that perfect picture.
In the past few weeks, I observed an interesting phenomenon. During the lockdown, people are equating their self-worth with productivity online. Using lockdown productively and learn new skills seemed to be the new trend. But did anyone define productivity?
For me it could be going through the day smilingly, for you it could be going an extra step and click a picture of cake baked and post it on social media. And for someone out in the world, it could be simply earning two meals a day.
Your self-worth has nothing to do with productivity dished online.
Do not let it judge you. It’s a downward spiral. The more you give in, the more it demands. It’s addictive. And harbours on your insecurities.
The social media platforms (like the machines on which it is supposed to operate) were expected to make our life easier. Did we stop to ask what happened? Have our lives become easier or more anxious?
Why did we let the technology take charge of our lives? It was supposed to enhance our life experiences, now there are all sorts of laws being enacted for our safety.
The lack of clarity of thought, life and perspective, leads to this undeniable dependency on technology where you need constant endorsement from others.
During the lockdown, the role of social media was commendable. From keeping us connected to new business models emerging, it evolved at a tremendous speed and we adapted even faster. Kudos to that!
The trick is to use it logically, judiciously and prudently.
I will leave you with one thought – if an anonymous comment or a not so perfect picture can take you on an emotional roller coaster for days altogether, is it worth the time and effort?
Picture credits: Pexels
Dentist by profession, Home maker, Blogger, Runner. read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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