Learn from experiences...

"PARENTS NOTICE YOUR FAKE FRIENDS BEFORE YOU DO."

Hello. Today's date is 23rd May, 2017. I'm sitting in a room, typing on my laptop.Its 21:14, dinner time. Its the 4th day I am away from my parents living in a different area in the same city. Its a 45 min drive from my house to here. I am missing them a lot. Missing them not because I don't have my iPod and my virtual "friends" with me, missing them after I listen to Rockabye song by Clean Bandit. The song reminds me of them everytime. Missing them cause I regret now. So why am I typing my sad, little, regretful story? Well, I've been writing blogs about Teenagers and Social Media a lot these days and how teenagers are those unaware people and how parents shouldn't restrict them and feel them and all the crap. But, what about parents? do we, THE TEENAGERS, try and feel our parents? 95% of the teens would answer NO definitely. Me being one of them.

So, the simple logic is, I am going to share one of my experiences and how it changed the good, gullible, and innocent Mahek to a fierce, rebellious and argumentative one. 

(The story starts from "Once upon a time" as usual)

Once upon a time, in 2003, a girl named Mahek was born to a loving and caring family. Fortunate as she was, she was born in a family, where there were no restrictions and no partiality among the genders. She was the first girl child that was born in the joint family of 7 (Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunt, Grandpa, Grandma, Great-grandma) and now that she was born, it was a family of 8. She was everyone's favorite, From her Masi's to her Nani's to her Dad to her Mom and to everyone. She was just that one little girl her parents and grandparents dreamt of. (Now lets skip on some part) Just after 2 years, Her Aunt gave birth to this mischievous and cute little cousin named Krish. They both played together and had fun. After 3 years, in 2008, Jal, Mahek's first real sibling was born. 4th March 2008. She was over-excited for her new brother. When he arrived, he was as small as my Mama's hand and the most cutest boy I've ever seen.We were the Fourever family now. Dad, being the best superhero and the most amazing person I could crack jokes with. My Mom, being the ultimate multi-tasker. I remember, once my mom asked me randomly, " Who's your idol?" Now, I can confidently say, its YOU. You're my idol. Now, why? Because you're brave, you think quickly and you never lose hope from me. You and Dad are my pillars. Strong ones. If I fall, I know you'll be there. Even though I may behave like an idiot, an immature girl, a brat, a spoiled kid, an argumentative and a rebellious person, even though with all my flaws, you accept me. I know one thing for sure, There's enough love in the world, but the most special one will always be for you two and my naughty brother. Now, coming to my brother, he's the most yikes and at the same time the most adorable person on this planet for me. (Now, lets skip some parts, its getting emotional) 

Now coming to 2014, when I was going in 6th, I shifted to a new school. A better school. Well, I was a normal girl, transferring from state board to Cambridge International Education Board, Also known as CIE. Well, I had to cope up. A lot. (Now lets fast-forward this) I came in. I had to adjust. I made a best friend named Urja. Everything was fine except, me being bullied. Well, no no, that's a strong word. Lets say, me getting teased cause of my height (I am now 5 Foot 7 Inches and I am now proud), cause of my external factors, cause of my English ( oh I sucked at it) and the main reason, cause I was simply being myself and who I was. Well, over here no one is to be blamed. The circumstances I faced was what made me who I am today. And oh, The best part! I had officially joined Instagram, Blog spot, Twitter, Hike, Line, Pinterest and all social medias you can think of in a tender age of 11. Too young. Well I did leave a lot of them in 6th and 7th. but not all. In 7th, I joined Snapchat. Why I joined them? simply cause that's a trend now a days, isn't it? having more followers, more likes, more comments. Now a days people don't get judged on basis of their gender, their social status whether they're rich or poor, they get judged on the basis of their Social Media (With a Capital S and a Capital M) So, I already sucked in a lot of things, I then reassured that at least I could be "known" on social media, you know how any normal person would do. (Now lets skip on some more) On 14/4/2016 I left that "better school" (cause of various reasons).

Now, 2017. I am a different person. Its 23/5/2017 and its 22:32. I have a lot of regrets and a lot of achievements. I have a lot of friends who actually care and a lot of fake, virtual friends too (but not anymore) Technology has stolen us from ourselves. But we're too jaded, too pop-culture drunk to notice. Recently, I had a bet with my friends that I wont open any social media (except for gmail, YouTube and messenger) for a year and a half. I will get over my addiction, and hope it proves into a strong bonding in my REAL family and friends. ( BTW, a must read for this topic - http://amazingmahek.blogspot.in/2017/04/pay-attention.html ) I hope things get better and I gain the trust, love, and care that I've lost while searching it virtually. 

Signing Off, 
Mahek Bajaj
23/05/2017
22:38

PAY ATTENTION.

Pay Attention
What are you looking at?

Screen on, stare, screen off.

Screen on, tap, tap, screen off.

Seconds of "I just want to check my notifications" become minutes of "Just one more tweet," minutes become hours of addiction and hours become bits and pieces of life missed out on. And we cannot get them back.

We are trapped, lost within infinitely-scrolling updates of 'news' that is profoundly unimportant.

The feed is a leash, the dashboard is a cage, and life is everywhere but here.

Technology has stolen us from ourselves but we are too jaded, too pop culture-drunk, to notice.

How long before we realise that the things that should connect us are pushing us apart and robbing us of depth of feeling and the pleasure of each other?

Attention spans have become briefer than the flutter of a butterfly's wings and focus is now defined as the intermission between beeps. We skim, more than we read, chunks of information barely glanced at talk less of assimilated and contemplated.

We pick the instant gratification of an Instagram 'like' over the rest of the moment we are too busy capturing, filtering and posting to be present in.

Here’s a medal for looking up long enough to notice that your date has been there all along, waiting for you to snap out of your Snapchat binge.

We are tolerating the worst of ourselves, these unnatural beings trapped in an artificial world that is a poor substitute for human warmth and physical presence.

Clap for the ones who can 'multitask', juggling analogue dialogue with digital dialogue and a cup of coffee, tasting all but savouring none.

If life is meant to be enjoyed, and I believe it is, we will need to disconnect to find the connections which will bring us joy.

Or Heaven forbid, we will become shells, just forms hiding cavities that echo with the depressing sounds of shallowness, loneliness and an acute lack of fulfillment.

A Inspiring article taken from -

https://medium.com/personal-growth/pay-attention-944ccf6c2f32

Perks of being a teenager in the 21st century

One cold evening,my friends and i go to a shop to buy a drink for the party we'll be attending. I look back to the store manager staring at me and my friends with every step we take.This is nothing new.I walk through the store looking for more items i had to buy, with the man still gazing at me with his eyes blank. I approach the counter, gave $20 and left like any noble citizen would've done. My friends popped the Monster drink can open and started drinking, while i was still in the thoughts. And yet again, this was nothing new. The thoughts keep flowing like a mighty stream not knowing where the path will lead the water. What could have possibly happened in the earlier generations which led to that "man" to think that all teenagers are the same; we steal stuff. again, nothing new. Now I have heard it all,  I know all the stereotypes my generation faces. Apparently, we are rebellious, lazy, egocentric, irresponsible, and totally focused on fashion, socializing and the internet (hehe, especially "social media, the MONSTER"). We spend more time at the mall then at home,  and everyone drives a sports car and drives around with that loud bass sound you can hear for miles. Many of us have our own degree in spray painting and we are rude to the less fortunate. We give in to peer pressure and all want to look and dress alike. We rely on groups of friends and are cruel kids who disrespect authority and make fun of the less popular kids. Despite some of this being true, i still believe the vast majority of teenagers are upstanding and noble citizens.

Being a teenager in today's society is really not like Glee makes it ought to be. But have you ever been in a fight with your girlfriend, running on no sleep because your midterm paper is due and your entire future rides on what kind of mood your teacher is in?  Plus you need money for your car and your fighting with your best friend because frankly, you kinda like drama. Meanwhile this whole time you have an enormous zit on your face? Now thats rough. Being a teenager in a society the generation before us created is hard enough, last thing we need is criticism from the same people who will rely on us to keep them alive one day. Sure, maybe most of the teens of today have their heads to far up in cyber space. Many of us are either on the phone, and if we're not on the phone we are texting or thinking about the phone.  Most of us get a pretty bum rep from the adult and media alike who think our generation is full of a bunch of punks that are constantly up to no good. I don't know so many teenagers who have killed someone, or been arrested for fraud, or even stolen something worth more then a couple bucks. I'm not a bad person because i use LOL as a complete sentence. Granted, some teenagers do commit crimes and steal. But thats not a generation crime labeled on a certain age, that happens regardless of the number of birthdays you have had. All the problems we face as a generation were created by the ones before us. Adults try and explain how the youth of today are being over come by addictions, video games, cell phones, computers and "social media", meanwhile defending the adults who made it that way.

The problems teenagers face are nothing but stepping stones to a life full of disappointments. We all need to realize that the weaker you are as a teenager, the stronger you will be as an adult. We all go through drama, fights, rough times and heavy lapses in our lives that truly reveal our colours and show our true selves to the world right in front of us. At this age there will never be an un-meaningful moment. Because this world is something that is new to us and the problems we face are nothing but an unexplored adventure that eventually will lead into something positive. No matter what we may go through as a teen, time will fix everything and we will be left with the conclusion that this time of your life has no flaws. Everything you do, and everything you go through as a teen is so much greater than the goal at hand. All the drama that seems to bring you down now will one day benefit you when your ready to face the world and realize your true potential. Everyone of us, we're not perfect. But our experiences go very far in a life where only the strong survive. No matter how much you try there will always be somebody thinner, taller, blonder, prettier, tanner, stronger and have more instagram friends. The day you start dying is the day you stop believing you do not offer the world anything good. You were born and original so do not get sucked up in the media fire and die a copy. You learn so much as a teenager some of us do not realize until we are the ones in rocking chairs complaining about the youth. As much as most may not want to admit it, the teenage years are the most important of your life. You spend these years establishing who you are as a person and who you want to be in life so much to the point that these character traits often stick with you for the rest of your life. 

This is for the close minded and the misunderstanding, this is for the store clerk who has a sign that reads " Only 3 Teenagers Allowed in at a time" Listen Close; Teenagers will always smoke. They will always drink, they will always have sex despite knowing nothing about it, and they will always rebel to the things that bother them the most. We are teenagers. We're not broken humans, we are normal everyday citizens trying to cope in the world you made for us. We having a burning desire to be different, but the truth is we are all alike in many ways. I personally rebel against the things that matter to me.I rebel for a lot of things; including my iPod, which matters to me a lot, but restricting your teenagers, will do no good to you neither your teen. Let your teen make his/her own identity in the real world out there; let your teen learn from his/hers own mistake without you restricting them, they're 13 now. they want to create their own identity,they will rebel more, if you get restrictions in between. Let them make their own choices and let them learn from their choices. they wont listen to you, believe me, i know well.  I don't keep my mouth shut, and i'm not a "victim" of authority. I know i'm not the smartest kid out there, as like most teenagers i think i know more then i actually do. But somethings i know for sure. I don't deserve to have the swat team called on me every time i walk into a corner store, a texting plan does not define who i am as a person, and i know i will face bigger problems in life then that of algebra and high school drama.  No matter what you do, there will always be somebody trying to bring you down. Forget that nursery rhythm, words can bring you down. It's up to you to try and rise back more successful then before.  Point is, Being a teenager is hard, so enjoy today, but enjoy tomorrow even more because these days only come once in your life. Don't listen to the opinions of those who are lost in the ignorance of their own words. You are a teenager in the 21st century, it only gets harder from here. Might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts...

A teen from the 21st century,

Mahek,13