Fishing for Affirmation

Got a cut this weekend, beard and hair :) Texas weather = crazy, 77 degrees in March? Back home in Minnesota we call this summer.

But hey, hip-hip-hooray for air conditioning and lazy days.

Overall, people today are unsatisfied with their life. I too have moments when I wish things may be different: more money, more free time, more kittens etc.

One of the biggest things that stunts people from achieving happiness is, not so surprisingly, social media.

I of all people am guilty of this, being affirmed online with likes and comments from friends can do a positive number on overall satisfaction. But are the thumbs up really that valuable?

Considering celebrities are just as likely to commit suicide as normal people, fame and fortune isn't the cure for daily doldrums. So what is?

As I take-on the late hours of the evening, mulling over existence and other deep things, I began to realize something...

Joy comes from doing things for others, that's what truly brings those vibes everyone searches for.

Whenever I did something for myself, the entertainment factor lasted only as long as... it doesn't really last. But then! When I helped a friend or supported someone who was feeling down, I felt a different kind of satisfaction.

So maybe we're fishing with the wrong type of bait.

Instead of searching for likes and comments, maybe we should be looking for those people stuck in the cracks. Some people are in a tough spot; socially, financially, emotionally (they could really use a helping hand!)

As I drink a sugary beverage while listening to k-pop and blogging on this sunny Sunday afternoon, my cares/worries are at an all-time low, yet I find that anxiety still knocks on the door of my brain.

For one, I'm not alone (1 out of 5 people have Anxiety/Depression) and two, it doesn't have to be a lifelong experience. By focusing on others there has been a huge difference in my overall self-image. You see... when you focus on others and what they bring to the table, there's less time for you to worry about your own presentation.

But back to the social media topic.

I used to spend SOOO many hours on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. And then I stopped... wow... did things change.

(I'm still on Facebook to stay in touch with distant friends and post life updates, but sparingly.)

When I wasn't concerned with creating the perfect self-image my anxiety began to ebb away. And!!! When I had less to compare myself to, well, I had less to compare myself to.

Things out there on the web will always be more appealing than what you have in front of you. This principle goes with your house, car, and signification other. We wonder why people breakup so often (even after marriage) and yet the answer is RIGHT THERE. An attitude of comparison.

I'm gonna get back to work on my presentation for Thursday and then practice for tomorrow's SBBU tournament, hype!