Sometimes, Why Try?

Inspired from a solo-lunch at Café Coffee Day last week, I thought of writing a piece in a second-person perspective, which attempted to question the constant compulsion of posting stuff on social media... something that I personally have struggled with! 

When you’re a part of a city that never sleeps, it’s easy to feel disoriented at first. 

From stepping out of your house to rushing on the platform like a Marathon runner to catch a crowded train, from getting into that crowded train to getting constantly elbowed by aunties and collegiate students, who are all in a rush to reach their destination stations, from finally pushing your way through to get down at the station you want – all of that at first seems like a daunting task. 

At first, you feel dizzy. As you’re trying to compose yourself, there’s this huge ecosystem comprising of beings who are constantly moving, constantly hustling and constantly not caring about how you’re here, trying to catch a grip. If you think about it, it is a bit disconcerting to note that you’re not the star of this cluttered universe that is the concrete jungle. 

Yet slowly, steadily, as you change trains after trains, meet people from all corners of the country world and come to terms with the round-the-clock work culture, the intensity and the speed of this city starts seeping into you.

Before you know it, you are a part of this huge ecosystem comprising of beings who are constantly moving, constantly hustling and constantly not caring about those newly arrived people who are trying to catch a grip.

You now wake up every day at the crack of dawn. Without even zoning out, you effortlessly get ready, get dressed in the corporate workwear and get out into the organized chaos that is your life at the city. Every morning, you run like a road runner to squeeze yourself into a train filled with way more people that it can actually afford. Then you get out, completely soaked in sweat that probably isn’t yours. Undaunted, you take the bus to your office building – a large expanse of corporate sophistication which screams blandness and no grandeur of the monuments past. 

Once you’re in the office, you are quickly absorbed by the amount of responsibilities that you’re hurtled at. Some are menial, some are intense but most involve a lot more politics than actual implementation. But by now, I guess you’re used to it. 

Finally, one fine day, after you’ve spent the entire morning slogging, lunchtime rolls in. Feeling thankful that you’ve finally gotten some respite, you step out of your office, into the large lift and once you reach downstairs, you get out of the building and enter a café nearby to have a steaming hot cup of coffee, some snacks and some peace. 

After ordering, as you sit down on the soft comfy chairs, surrounded by corporate beasts like you and carefree students, you savour the respite you’re getting. You finally pull out your phone, which has been silent for quite a while. 

Before you know it, you’re completely taken by the storm that is social media. You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, gawping at countless pictures of the ones you’re following. From the glittery lives of the celebrities you like (or love to hate) to the soaked-in-sunshine-esque bliss of people in your circles, you can’t help but be amazed at how perfect everyone’s lives are…

… In comparison to yours. Instead of jet-setting off to some foreign location, you’re stuck here, working fourteen-hours daily like a hamster on a wheel. Instead of slapping a thousand filters and trying to flaunt your looks, you’re here trying not to touch the zit that’s popped on your nose. Instead of documenting every single tiny thing you notice, you’re here trying to catch a moment’s breath. 

All of a sudden, you’re shaken out of your reverie when your order arrives – a steaming cup of cappuccino in a bright mug, placed next to a scrumptious plate of veggie sandwiches and a blueberry cake. 

You give a faint ghost of a smile to the waitress, who hastily leaves, trying to manage her life as another hamster on a wheel… a wheel that is so completely different from yours. 

Then, your eyes fall back on the tray that’s placed in front of you. Everything looks so well-organized and so aesthetically pleasing – it’s as if a Pinterest picture has popped in front of you. 

Your hands are itching, one can clearly see. They are itching to tap open your phone’s camera, click a picture, slap half-a-dozen filters and post it on your Instagram story. The thought is tempting… especially because you feel that, by posting this picture, you might, in some way, have a sense of belonging. 

But is it really worth it? Is it really worth it to flaunt in front of your followers? Is this picture going to make a point that goes, Hey! I’m just as cool as all of you, if not cooler? Or is it just a sham to fit into the puzzle that’s social media?

Finally, after debating for what it seems like ages, you keep your phone aside and pick up the veggie sandwich. Without thinking any further, you take a bite. 

It tastes so delicious, doesn’t it? And you didn't even have to go through the ritual of posting it on Instagram! 

As tempting as capturing every single moment of your life and posting it on your Instagram stories may sound, it is a thousand times better when you’re here trying to live it, no?

Do let me know what your thoughts are! 

Stay awesome as ever,

Much love,

Archie <3