Reclaiming Your Time and Dreams

"Lost in virtual pleasure"

In today’s world, social media has become an inescapable force. Whether willingly or unwillingly, we find ourselves engulfed in its grasp. For many, it’s an integral part of daily life, reshaping how we connect, communicate, and even dream.

Social media platforms, with their wide-reaching influence, have the power to change lives—for better or for worse. And while it has undoubtedly opened doors for some, particularly content creators and entrepreneurs who leverage it to build careers, for the vast majority, social media is an insidious trap, silently eroding the potential of young minds.

The illusion of connection, coupled with endless streams of curated content, has created a digital vortex that consumes hours of time—time that could otherwise be spent on meaningful pursuits. The irony is stark: in an age where we are more connected than ever, we often feel more disconnected from reality, from our responsibilities, and from ourselves.


"Observing our true selves"

The young generation, in particular, is caught in this cycle of distraction. We tell ourselves that a day without social media will help us focus on our goals, but a brief glance turns into hours of scrolling through content that often serves no real purpose.

It’s easy to justify this distraction as harmless entertainment, but behind every hour lost to mindless consumption lies the guilt of neglecting what truly matters—our dreams, our goals, our families.

Social media cleverly taps into our deepest insecurities, offering a temporary escape from the struggles of daily life. It feeds our curiosity, drawing us into content that has no real value to our personal growth. Whether it's watching a video about something we will never need or falling into the trap of constantly comparing ourselves to others, we become victims of our own consumption habits.

For many, the addiction to social media is rooted in escapism. We fantasize about the life we want, the dreams we aspire to achieve, and the success we imagine for ourselves.

But, instead of working towards these dreams in the real world, we retreat into the virtual one, where the effort is minimal, and the rewards are instant, even if they are only fleeting. The danger here is not just in wasted time, but in the growing gap between what we fantasize about and what we actually achieve. This gap breeds feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and regret—leading us to question our own worth and competence.

"Experiencing our dreams within dreams"

This cycle, once established, is difficult to break. Every night, we reflect on how we spent our day and wonder why we didn’t make any real progress. “Why am I like this? Why do I keep wasting time? Am I incapable of change? Am I insensitive to the sacrifices my family makes for me?” These are the questions we ask ourselves, and yet, despite knowing the answers, we continue to indulge in the same patterns of distraction.

The psychological toll is immense. Social media warps our perception of time, success, and happiness. We see others living lives of wealth and glamour, while we ourselves are barely managing. It’s easy to feel left behind, especially when our own financial and emotional burdens are heavy.

Parents who sacrifice for their children’s future go unnoticed, as we instead spend hours lost in a world of virtual pleasure. The weight of this guilt is overwhelming. We know we are wasting time, but the cycle of procrastination continues, fueled by the same technology that promises connection and fulfillment.

For many young people, social media has become more than a distraction—it’s a hindrance to achieving their true potential. It pulls them away from their goals and reinforces a culture of immediate gratification. It offers temporary pleasure at the expense of long-term fulfillment, eroding discipline, self-esteem, and ambition.

Even though social media is not inherently evil, it has become a curse for those who prioritize it over their real-life aspirations. The key lies in discipline and self-awareness. If we continue to give it more importance than our careers, our families, and our futures, we risk living in a state of perpetual regret—forever chasing the dream of a life that could have been. The challenge, then, is to reclaim our time, our attention, and our lives from the seductive pull of the virtual world, and to focus on building the future we truly want.

By: Robrayl (AJ)

Writer's note:

Every rose has its thorns. Social media can enhance the lives of thousands. It can also ruin the lives of millions. "Discipline' is key.