Why We Need to Live a Better Story Offline

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The Article??

It's time to start living a better story. Sadly, many of us are intoxicated by the atmosphere online. Online we can say things we would never say in real life with limited to no consequences.

The problem is, that's not real life.?

In this article, I will look at why we obsess over the digital representation of our lives, how we got here, and provide a path forward.

If we keep it real with ourselves, when we post on social media are we posting as a scrapbook for ourselves or for validation from others? Maybe both?

As a whole, we've swung too far toward posting for validation, posturing, and showing our perceived importance at every step. You may have signed up for Twitter with the intent of putting your thoughts on paper, but now you're arguing with another industry professional in a heated exchange.

Those types of interactions don't happen at the same frequency in real life.

But why? Why do people feel it's acceptable (borderline celebrated) to be inconsiderate to each other online??

Has American culture drifted too far down the stream of individualism? I believe so. It's easy to think our own opinions are superior, our political stances are more righteous, and our careers more dignifying than those around us––chances are they're not.

When we take a second, we can see our views are sometimes the result of naive realism, the idea that we see the world objectively, and those who disagree with us must be uninformed.?

So, what happened?

For one, our sense of community has faded. Digital access has been the main culprit, with COVID-19 accelerating the process. When you have 24/7 access to friends and family online, why would you give time to the community?

Why should you care about your community offline?

You should because it's part of living a better story, away from the keyboard. One we want to live.

We should strive to live a better story, something fulfilling and with a purpose behind it. I can guarantee living a better story is better than posting a curated one. Would the hero of a movie post curated travel photos to look cool/seek validation, or prank retail workers for 'likes'? Or would they volunteer, while leaving their phone at home?

When we live a better story, we have more meaningful moments with friends, give back to the community, and take on new adventures for the experience. It's real-life, not fueled by seeking validation.

You are responsible for your life's story. Make sure it's one you're proud to tell to yourself.

-Jordan