Sunday, November 1, 2020

Attention attention attention

 Just as the title suggests, the majority of people in society today have this ingrained desire to obtain attention. Attention that in a sense becomes like a drug of choice in a junky world. People crave attention. They simply have to have it. They feel at an absolute loss when they are not receiving it. Does this stem from not receiving enough or maybe even too much attention from parental figures? Perhaps it has arisen from the fact that not everyone can be a winner at all of the races they enter, yet we are told that everyone is a winner for simply showing up. Society did us zero favors when they began to hand out participation trophy " feel goods". Certainty is knowing realistically that you will not win every race, contest etc. You will not always be THE best at everything. You will fail, you will lose. You will not reign as the center of attention upon a world-wide dais. Stop putting that weight upon your shoulders.


 

Human beings will plumb to unbelievable depths to achieve notice. They will take risks with disastrous consequences for a single ounce of notoriety. I am talking way beyond the John Cusack  "say anything" ploy. I mean, have you read any of the stories where instagram influencers died while attempting to take or feature in dangerous photo shoots? Why would they opt in to such situations? Attention. They wanted, needed, had to have the dopamine rush of likes, loves, follows, retweets. The notification button lighting up like a Christmas tree was their high. Even if in an insignificant way, aren't we all like that?

 

Think about it. If you create a post on social media which receives no loves or likes, are you not then disappointed, and wondering why no one likes you? Does it depress you to see others with ten times the followers you have? Do you feel like an utter loser in life for not receiving the attention you believe yourself entitled to? The attention that so many others are "blessed" with.

 

Is social media attention really a blessing? I believe that in many ways, it can be more of a curse. It becomes pretty much a full time job trying to keep it once you secure it. You will have expectations, and labels attached to yourself. Expectations which become quite difficult to meet. No one person I have ever known in life is happy, upbeat, epitomizing joie de vie twenty-four seven. Human beings have episodes of happiness, moments of despair, unbelievable highs, and desolate lows. Such is life. Life becomes a study in anxiety and misery though when you are constantly playing a role which does not suit every facet of your personality. Attempts to achieve social media "celebrity" status most often parlays itself into a downward spiral of depression. Is that how you want to live your life? Does it sound glamorous? Does it appear fulfilling?

 

Of course for those looking in through the window, it can seem like the world would be a dream come true to live if only you could get those likes, those all important loves, but I am here to tell you, that life without the frenzied activity of seeking attention is a good life on its own.

 

You are good enough. Your life does matter. Liking, and loving yourself far exceeds what utter strangers think of your life. This is what you need to learn. The strong do not sit and worry about what other people think of them, nor do they fixate upon the judgement of those who have not walked in their shoes. Cease allowing those unknown to dictate your behavior, your mindset, your very course in life. Start seeing that your approval, and your acceptance is ALL you need.

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