Identifying the appreciations and love outside of an online world
I started blogging a couple of years back and published my first blog on the occasion of my father's 70th birthday. From then, the journey has been immensely satisfying.
Primarily because it keeps my mind calm and occupied outside of the daily routine. Facebook and other social media platforms is the medium where I post about the new blogs.
And it feels good when people you know read the blogs, leave their appreciations and comments. Sometimes in Facebook, sometimes on the blog post itself.
While I was drooling over the likes and comments I was receiving on my facebook post about the blog, something else started happening which drew my attention.
The direct messages
There was a small get together in office on account of Diwali in October 2021. I was meeting the folks from work for the first time after the lockdown in Feb 2020. There was a lot of catching up. People sharing their stories, the snacks counter was bustling with sweets again!
A group of us were having a general conversation, when suddenly a guy I work with highlighted my blogs and how he was able to connect with the topics.
He added - "The topics that you write on are so simple, and yet you express them in a way that I am able to easily relate them with my life."
I know I have only started blogging recently, but I knew this compliment came straight from the heart. And I am super awkward with handling public appreciations (not that I get plenty!)
This was the first time anyone had appreciated my blogs publicly. I was delighted. And moreover, there was an immense sense of satisfaction that he could connect with the writings - that's the whole point of writing!
On an another occasion, I was visiting my uncle who is 75+. He and I are connected in facebook, which he frequently browses. After a general chit-chat, he mentioned about my blog and how he enjoys reading it.
"Unfortunately, I am unable to leave any comments, as my hands are quite shaky these days. But please do keep writing." - he said.
A few other similar experiences happened later, where people mentioned the blogs when they met me.
---
Over a period of time, I have also received some really from-the-heart comments as direct messages.
These are the comments that do not appear on social media for everyone to notice/read. But trust me, there is an immense warmth in receiving those.
Social Media is a mess
Remember - social media is just your online presence. A presence where only "good" things get shared all the time, and hence equally deceptive of our lives. So do not only rely on the appreciations that are emitted from an online world.
Appreciations are not just the thumbs-up that are sought after. They are everywhere around us.
They are in a thank you that you may get, or maybe some kindness you may experience out of surprise.
It may also be in a kid smiling back at you, or a dog wagging its tail seeing you around.
I once complimented my Ajji (grandmother in Marathi) for the laddos she made, while gulping down a second one. The look on her face was priceless!
Social media is a complicated mess, please do not judge your life's worth based on it.
The message I am trying to convey is this - there is happiness in receiving appreciations on the social media. But there is a different energy in the appreciations in an offline world. And you do not even have to be a creator or an artist, being a good human that you are is more than enough.
So what are some kind of likes in an offline world?
You know this already, but here is a brief list -
someone willingly giving you way on the road while driving (quite a big one for Indian roads)
someone cooking your favourite dish
an act of selfless help, where the person goes out of their way to help you with which they have no particular benefit for themselves
a friend of yours making amendments to their plans, just to meet you
a big tight hug
a pat on the back
or someone listening to you with all their heart
The list is endless, but this should be enough for a kickstart.
Try This
Outside of the social media, try documenting or remembering the likes that you received during the day/week.
Appreciate these moments, and try giving these likes back to someone else!
Thank you for reading. If you liked this one, you can sign-up to my website to get the updates on all new blogs in your inbox.
Offline likes and appreciations are the real 'Life'.
Social media has wired our perception in the wrong way!!!
This blog is a breath of fresh air.
Thanks:-)