DATA-based life #alwaysconnected

When you open your mobile phones what do you first do? Some people loves talking to Siri first, some loves to open the camera and check the current condition of their look and others simply check if they have messages from friends or maybe from a special someone. Well me? What I do is: first, type my passcode to unlock my phone then second, I activate the cellular data. After that, I check the long list of apps that I am logged in. I check the chats on messenger, how many hearts to I get on my new instagram post, retweets and favorites on twitter, browse memes and other stuff on facebook, tune in to new videos in youtube and more activities that engages me in the social world and keeps me busy. But then I can’t do all those if I don’t have load to activate my cellular data. So if these activities keeps me alive then I should keep my cellular data alive – even if it makes my wallet dead.

My mom would once rant about how I spend my money on unnecessary things that only feeds my ego but surprisingly she also became part of the online community who spends a lot just to keep their “data” alive. It seems like everybody is doing it, whenever I walk on the streets people just keep on looking at their phones, even when I’m on a jeepney some people would actually watch youtube or browse facebook during the whole ride so if I’m not being like them, it would really feel awkward looking at them until I get home. So sometimes I feel the need to have internet on my phone so I won’t have the awkward moments, to be entertained, to connect or just to fit in.

            There was a time when we had a family trip to Boracay. I didn’t have internet on phone because I’m saving my money for souvenirs and other important stuff. So I decided to just let it, enjoy the view and make most of the moments. I did, actually we had a lot of fun, and I was fine with just taking beautiful pictures and chatting to everyone until the night came and I felt the urgent need to share the refreshing view and the wonderful moments to everyone. It was actually the Instagram’s fault — partly. If instagram story wasn’t a trend I would not be influenced by it and I would have finished my day “data” free. But then I just can’t, sharing those photos feels fun, it made me feel connected in the world outside the island and I was happy with that. The same day I realized that having data became one of my needs.

 But then data isn’t as unnecessary as how my mom would describe it to me, actually it connects me to my family, who now lives far away from me, my friends, classmates and teachers. My internet usage is now not limited for entertainment purposes only because all the important information, readings, and homeworks can only be accessible if I have data, and it is enough reason to make me anxious if I don’t turn on my cellular data even just for a day.

It is good thing to be connected to people whenever and wherever you are. That is one advantage of having internet since it makes a lot of things easier for us. But we also have to remember that internet does not always entertain you or make you happy. Online friendships and active chats does not always make you feel connected. My morning routine of opening my phone after I wake up and closing my phone before I sleep does not really complete my day.  What’s better than having a “data” based life is having real people to chat with, having a real view to appreciate, sharing stories face to face, seeing how people react on you in person, and experiencing life outside the screens of your mobile phones.