A few years ago I went out for coffee with my Mum and an old university friend of hers. As they were talking about what their children were up to, my Mum’s friend said that both her boys were in tech jobs that 5 years ago weren’t even recognised as potential career paths. This struck me.
But when is it enough? When can we stop and say we are good where we are?
How in the space of less than a decade can so many jobs be created? I suppose we are lucky to be living in an age where more jobs are being created, and lots of these jobs are more accessible for many more people. For women, for disabled people, for those with mental health problems, for those clinically vulnerable etc. All of these things are intrinsically good things, and as a society we must continue to progress and not stagnate. But when is it enough? When can we stop and say we are good where we are?
I watched a TED talk the other day and it said that tech giants like Apple have technology so advanced that they aren’t planning on releasing it for another few years to allow the world to catch up a bit.
The technology coming out today was conceived and brought into our world several years ago. So when we think we are already advanced enough with a masked face ID, we’re already three steps ahead of ourselves.
I suppose that notion of being three steps ahead of ourselves before we’re even ready is something that we are already doing both in life, and especially the social media space.
Now before I begin to rip social media to shreds like usual, I am going to list things that I am thankful for with social media/technology and the internet.
I am thankful for getting instantaneous news
I am thankful for communication with others
I am thankful for allowing important information to be spread and taught in all corners of the world
I am thankful for keeping up with my friends
I am thankful for being able to celebrate someone else’s success
I am thankful for finding cooking recipes
I am thankful for online food deliveries and gift deliveries for my Grandparents
I am thankful for funny, viral videos
There is much to be grateful for with this online world. But I need to remind myself that this shouldn’t come at the expense of living in the actual world.
I know, right now, it feels impossible to be taking your eyes away from a screen. Working from home, socialising on zoom and relaxing by watching TV is very much something we are all doing right now. And I’ve noticed myself disconnecting from the real world, not being able to do a task without a podcast or video in the background, not walking without listening to music and checking out in real life conversations.
This is something I need to work on, and I’m sure all of us will need to do a social media and tech uphaul once this whole pandemic blows over a bit, and a sense of normality returns.
I need to remind myself that living in a tech-driven world shouldn’t come at the expense of living in the actual world.
One thing I have done is bought some items that require no screens, no tech etc.:
I bought myself a puzzle book, a jigsaw, reading books and have given myself tasks to do each week like going on a walk by myself and collecting a free magazine or newspaper from somewhere and reading it when I get back home.
Little things at the moment to keep me ticking over.
However, I have also made a promise to myself to go on a self retreat in the countryside after I graduate from uni. I am going to spend dedicated time away from my phone, TV and laptop in my own company for an extended period of time. I want to get away, find a place in the middle of nowhere (preferably on the coast) and just live simply. Take my guitar, my walking boots, a book and a journal. It sounds idyllic. And that is my aim for this year.
Stay safe, stay well and be kind to yourselves,
LVS Creations x
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