The fake generation: Does social media tell you everything about my life?

by Guest blogger: Matshilele Nemakanga Sithole

Last week I was had a conversation with a close friend I made through Facebook about a year and half ago. She was grumbling at how her life sucks and she wishes she could have a perfect life like mine or another girl’s.

 I had to humble myself and reveal some of the astonishing daily life experiences that my Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account doesn’t tell the world, but in a world dominated by social media I can understand how one could easily be fooled into thinking everyone else in the world but them, is living a fairy-tale. My life is far from perfect. If anything, I, like my friend also tend to idolise other people’s lives that seem perfect on social networks.

  

Don’t get me wrong, I am happily married to one of the most amazing guys in the world and I am a mother to three cute girls but my life is not close to perfect (anyone who says theirs is probably lying), not all our Facebook statuses and pictures can document everything that we experience as a family- from our daily struggles as a couple, our arguments, toddler meltdowns, troubles caring for three kids (all younger than 2) to our messy family dates, devotions, travels, dinners, etc.

 My husband and I often laugh at how we both only pick the best moments of our days, months or years to share with Facebook, that if only we could tell Facebook when one of us woke up grumpy (its mostly me, thanks to him for putting up with me) or when things are just not going well with the kids or our parents, then social networks would have some element of truth and reality.

You would be so surprised how average people’s lives are (including mine) in reality. This is not meant to discourage those who post updates about their real lives for the sole purpose of encouraging and being role models to others but rather to encourage those who feel like everyone else is living in a fairy-tale but them. 

Life is made up of both the good and the bad, but since the bad can often be embarrassing, most people’s posts are carefully curated to depict a good appearance. One amazing thing about Social Networks is that they afford people from all walks of life to flaunt their stuff and brag about how much they love their lives, the best part: you can be one person online, another in your walking life and it seems like everyone is very good at inventing themselves.

 Next time if you look at someone’s Instagram/Facebook pictures and start feeling discontent and unhappy with your life, remember it’s mostly all about who can tell their story better. 

"For most people, what you see on social media is not what you get in real life. It is a constructed utopia of extravagant vacations juxtaposed with airbrushed photos of friends at parties or nice dinners. It serves as a virtual glass case of our joys and successes while our failures and troubles remain hidden from public view."-Briana Rifkin

A poor girl's travel plan: Why i hate flying, Why busses are underrated

DISCLAIMER: this applies only on domestic flights not international

Let me start of by saying: "i hate flying! ", to those who enjoy being in planes that statement might sound absurd but those who have been in bad flights are probably going "me too, me too".

I had my first flight was with Mango airlines from OR Tambo international airport to Port Elizabeth airport in January 2015

, it was an enjoyable ride yet scary at the same time. In my teens I'd watched a lot of Flight crash investigations on Dstv. That, coupled with the knowledge that anything man-made is not perfect, made me so scared to fly.

I travelled on the road to varsity. The buses from Pretoria to Port Elizabeth made me feel safer despite the fact that there are more reported road accidents than there are plane crashes in South Africa.

my hatred of flying is not merely the result of FEAR...yes I admit that airplanes terrify me, but the aversion is not coming from getting that funny drop feeling in my stomach right after take off or feeling like the plane is going to fall during turbulence. Its the logistics that are involved in the flying experience [which starts right the moment one books the ticket to landing safely at a desired destination] that makes me dread taking a flight.

While flying might be a wonderful experience for the 'bourgeois' or a quicker way to get to a place for the impatient ......Here are 3 reasons why flying is my least favorite option:

1. Cost: Its usually expensive

 Although there are often specials on airlines like Mango, flySAfair, Kulula, etc. I ,personally find flying to be an expensive way to travel. Some airlines whose names I won't mention lure you with a small airfare but will charge you for checked baggage, airport taxes, extra legroom and whatnot, you will end up paying more than what they advertised whereas with a bus, what you see is what you pay for!

Since some South African airports are situated in secluded areas, getting there requires a Gautrain, shuttle or lift which is an added cost. Getting someone to pick me up from the destination airport is a cost either for me or the other person. I hardly experience the same hassle while taking a bus because bus stations are often situated at central business districts where the public transport system is.

2. Process: Booking, Paying, Check-in, bag drop-off, boarding, etc

The thought that being in something that creatively designed is thrilling yet anyone rarely mentions the process one has to go through to finally sit inside the airplane.

When I travel by bus, all I do is- get to the bus station, take my bag to the baggage compartment, then sign in with my ticket through the bus attendant, takes a minute or so. Its a different experience with flying where I have to book the ticket, sign in and drop my luggage 1h30m and 45mins before the flight takes off. Then I have to board the gate usually 30 mins before take off. The endless security lines are stressful and tedious.

Then upon landing I still have to walk into the airport and wait for my luggage by the baggage carousel at the same time, pray that none of my bags with important personal goods go missing

3. Experience: Time and convenience

While flying saves time, bus travels are for the adventurous at heart- a domestic flight will take you from point A to B without a layover, while the clouds up there makes you see the greatness of God in his creative genius, busses also offer the same, you get to see God at work as you pass towns, houses of all kinds and cities with history, people, culture and so much life!