Thumbs-up way of living

We are the ‘fortunate ones’ to be born in this era, where most of the world is almost attaining peace (hopefully), where we are not expected to wait for days together for something to materialise, things get instantly gratified to our benefit and where we are not expected to be a lot emotional but to maintain enough distance yet fake tad bit concern.

We as a generation seek approval for whatever we do. It is essential for an external to be convinced about our state of mind and if not, we are ought to manipulate it. With the introduction of innumerable digital platforms, it has just gotten easier for us to feel better about ourselves, rather sculpt ourselves better. Seeking approval is an age old concept. Right from the potential groom’s entire family visiting to check out the potential bride, to the “I have something to say about your career choice” session during every family get together, our culture has legitimised the concept of seeking approval for every milestone activity. All of this was limited to a specific geography until the digital world took over organic, face-face conversations. Now, approval lives in the form of Facebook, Instagram, matrimonial websites and every other round table conference equivalent digital platform that is accessible to human kind.

It’s funny how we show 10 different filter edits to a friend for him/her to approve one. “It’s cool to be sharing deep life quotes”, they said and here I am, scrolling through my newsfeed frantically to find the post which might fetch me the most number of likes. The current generation is accustomed to living in denial. We have always been influenced to live in our own illusionary world, which does no good to us. Right from juggling around our personal emotions to polishing our social image, we do it all perfectly well. All this duality/multiplicity for what? This conflict gets real when one swipes right and sets a date with his/her Tinder crush. This is exactly what makes it difficult for us to be ourselves. There is a constant pressure to be flawless, it’s a must to be a part of the crowd yet dream of being unique. We are obliged to stand for something that we might not believe in as much but societal approval and acceptance is the 4th necessity for survival. The duality arises when we want to feel belonged yet want to be a creator of new ideas and look all fancy. “I want to start up” has become the most essential criteria for being a part of the cool crowd. The horde tends to look down upon the ones who wish to settle down for being an employee and not aspire to be an employer. Who writes down these rules? Its assumed that being an employer is not being a part of the crowd, whatever happened to ‘free will’.

We are living in a frenzy set up where owning a pair of white sneakers and a pair of ripped boy friend jeans decides our cool quotient or belongingness. Not everyone is a part of this crazy mob that is trying to find a dock but is not really willing to anchor his/her boat but everyone sure is enticed by the glamour around it.

PS: I could pretty much be a part of this bunch so no offence intended.

Hope you have a good read. Thank you :)