You might be wondering (I told myself) what life beyond instagram is like. Well, it is real. It is real in all the ways.
At first, it was a jolt. It felt like I was suddenly left behind. Everyone (all 6000 plus of them) was smiling, dancing to the music, and driving away on a party bus, while I stood there noticing how they shrunk, faded to silence, and finally disappeared over the horizon. A breeze blew their tossed trash around my feet
But a handful reached out to me in other ways. Beyond the party bus, a few individuals showed personal connection the only way it really works, personally. It touched me so deeply, I wondered why these infinitely public exchanges, and so much self promotion, ever drew me in to begin with. Well, I guess I love a little ego stroke as much as anyone. Anyway, of that handful of people that reached out, only two were connections made through instagram and only one of those was someone I haven’t met, and spent time with, in person. All others are from connections made before instagram.
It probably tells us more about my personality than anything, but it seems now that instagram is so superficial it might be a mirage. I tramped to it thirsting for something like all the rest. Perhaps many are quenched, but for me looking back, it’s more like dry sand slipping through fingers.
Oh, and one more thing. Beyond instagram, there are books. They’re amazing because they have no ads and, the entire time I look at them, I only see the content I wanted. Finally, beyond instagram there are more face-to-face connections, meaningful conversations, and earthy realness. Out here, friendships require an investment. Out here beyond instagram, on the far fringes of society, there is a sweet satisfaction.
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