I was okay.

I thought that I would feel disconnected. I thought I'd be judged. I thought I'd be missing out. But in reality, I was okay.

Yes, at first, it felt like I was disconnected. No longer was I spending my free time scrolling through the pictures of other people's lives. Do we really need to be constantly watching the lives of others while simultaneously letting ours pass before our eyes?

I know it's silly to think that I'd be judged, but it's more "normal" to be connected than to not be. I wasn't judged, but it is still kinda funny to see the reactions of people's faces when I say I don't have one. It's almost as if they're offended... but why?

I'm not really missing out either. It's been almost a year (maybe more?) without one, and in a way, it kinda feels empowering. I no longer base my happiness on the amount of likes I get on a picture. I no longer find the need to post a picture of an event to prove that I am having fun. I no longer compare my life to the lives of others.

I'm not saying you need to delete Instagram, Twitter, or anything for that matter. Sharing pictures and memories is great, and what better way to do it than social media? I just want you to remember that you don't have to define your life based on the amount of followers or likes that you have. Don't let this idea that you're only pretty if people comment on your photo with the heart eyes emoji. You don't need a caption to prove that you're happy, especially if you're not. Post things that are real. Post things that mean something to you, not your followers.

And when this phase of our lives dies down, you'll see that you can love yourself and love your life without the approval of others.