Instagram. Twitter. Snapchat. Facebook. The most popular forms of social media today, and those are only to name a few. In this day and age, our generation and even those older than us (my mom has recently become Facebook's biggest fan) are obsessed with sharing and posting. What did you eat for lunch? Don't worry, I already know you had a chicken salad because I saw your latest tweet (it was like, SO good) or Instagram post. You're on vacation? I know, because I saw you uploaded 20 ~filtered~ photos of you and your girls in Cancun.
Every second of every day we know what everyone and their mother is up to. While modern technology is a blessing, it's a curse as well. People these days believe that if you aren't posting or documenting your life by the minute you aren't doing anything with it. We all know how untrue that is, but that's the modern culture we live in. When was the last time you decided to explore the great outdoors sans technology? I mean, take a hike in the woods, kayak or canoe, bike ride, walk on the beach, go fishing, etc. without your phone? Most of us can probably admit we've never done it. Our phones are glued to our hands 24/7; the world is at our finger tips. We feel naked without them. I am just as guilty of this. The second I'm even slightly bored, I whip out my phone to see what is going in the world through my various apps. There's always a Snapchat with a puppy filter or flower crown waiting to be sent out and a thought to tweet.
However, I am encouraging you, no wait, PLEADING for you to get out there and explore Mother Nature without technology. You probably think I'm crazy right? "How will anyone know I took a hike if I don't Instagram it?" Well, that's the point. Not everything needs to be shared. We live on a beautiful planet with so much to offer. Go adventure into Mother Nature's waterfalls, hills, valleys, canyons, forests, lakes, oceans, whatever! And leave your phone at home, or at least put it away for the time being. You'll find inner peace and realize what incredible beauty the Earth holds once you truly pay attention without distractions. Smell flowers, plant trees, watch the sun rise or set! Share something with yourself and yourself only, or another special person if you decide to have a friend tag along. Even if you aren't the outdoorsy type go do your favorite activity off the grid. Not everything needs to be posted to your social media accounts for 200 likes. Not everything needs to be a photo op. I'm not saying I'm not guilty of posting and sharing, hey we all love a little attention now and then. I'm just saying that sometimes the world doesn't need to know what you're up to. Put the phone away for a bit. I promise, you and your new found hippie soul will thank me later.
