Snapping the FOMO away

Out with the old and in with the new, isn’t that what they say? But Snapchat users were sent into a frenzy and left feeling overly paranoid and annoyed about the popular app’s new updates. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were soon flooded with statuses complaining about the disappearance of the ‘top best friends’ feature on Snapchat. First world problems you might say, but when did we become so dependent on social media?

People questioned whether Snapchat was just temporarily broken and assured each other the ‘top friends’ would return. Others wondered aloud about the possibility of increased cheating in relationships now that no one can see who’s snapping who the most. Then there were those who complained about those complaining. The whole thing was a bit of an unwarranted, unnecessary fiasco.

Are we really so dependent on social media now? Are friends seriously falling out and relationships actually breaking up over apps like Snapchat? The answer simply is yes. I have heard too many stories about couples tearing the head off each other or, in some cases actually breaking up, over their other halves best friends on Snapchat.

For those of you out there who were genuinely worried about the new Snapchat update and the idea

of not being able to creep on your other halves best friends then it’s time to take a step back and remember the days before social media took over our lives. Snapchat best friends, Facebook ‘likes’, or Instagram’s ‘love’ button should not define or dictate a friendship or a relationship.

In this day and age it is almost impossible not to be sucked in to

the world of social media but unfortunately for us, like the best friends on Snapchat, a lot of other apps can also cause users a headache.

One of the most common things people experience when scrolling through their news feed is FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. For anyone not aware of the word, FOMO is the feeling you get when you see a status, Snapchat or video of people you know having a good time and you’re not there. You hover over said picture wondering why you weren’t invited, how they could possibly be having such a good time without you and, eventually, telling yourself you never wanted to go anyway.

As well as FOMO, so-called ‘life envy’ is another common problem people witness as a result of browsing through social media. Seeing someone you know with something that you want/need/aspire for is a basic definition of life envy and has been known to cause a green-eyed monster to appear via the keyboard.

Now that there is an unprecedented number of apps to keep track of it’s no wonder social media has turned perfectly sane, reasonable, sensible individuals into green-eyed, paranoid, creepy people.

Things can get really crazy really quick. My advice? Take a step back and move away from the keyboard.

Varadkar opens up

Boko Haram kidnapped 60 people in Cameroon, 35 people were killed in a Syrian plane crash, while Cherif Kouachi, one of the brothers involved in the terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, was buried yesterday. Yet none of these made headline news. Instead, Leo Varadkar’s sexuality dominated the leading news headline on RTÉ’s 9 o’clock news last night and on front pages of Irish newspapers this morning.

Are there more blatantly obvious and serious issues in the world? Yes. Is the sexuality of a cabinet minister really worthy of front page news headlines all over the country? No. Yet, that’s what you’ll find if you happen to glance at any newspaper or online news website today.

If a politician is heterosexual the widely held view is that it is no one’s business except his or hers. So why do we, as a self-proclaimed liberal country, struggle so much to adopt the same attitude if a politician is homosexual?

The fact that the next potential leader of Fine Gael or indeed potential Taoiseach felt he even had to address his sexual orientation on national radio shows we are not as liberal a nation as we might like to think we are, nor have we progressed as much as we say we have.

It is not an ideal situation but, in a country like Ireland where homosexuality was deemed criminal less than a quarter of a century ago, Leo Varadkar coming out is not a small step but a giant leap for the Emerald Isle. The power of someone as high profile and well respected as the Health Minister openly coming out cannot be underestimated in a society where so many people feel they cannot come out and express who they really are.

Like Obama will always be known as the first African-American president of America, Varadkar will always be known as the first openly gay cabinet minister. However, speaking to Miriam O’Callaghan he said it will not define him, yet it may always be noted:

“It’s not something that defines me, I’m not a half-Indian politician or a doctor politician, I’m not a gay politician for that matter, it’s just part of who I am.”

To live in a society where coming out isn’t a momentous and difficult task for people is a society we can only hope for. Leo Varadkar must be commended for speaking out. His decision to freely discuss his sexuality will hopefully help pave the way for many people and can only be described as a positive and game-changing step for Ireland.

Leaving college for the real world

They say time flies when you’re having fun.

As my final semester as a third level student fast approaches I find myself increasingly worried about things I never even had to consider before; preparing CV’s, applying for jobs, my FYP and the gut-wrenching thought of my college life soon becoming nothing but a distant memory.

The dreaded question seemingly on the tip of everyone’s tongue ‘So, what exactly are you going to be doing after college?” instils the fear of God in me and the perplexed look on people’s faces when I tell them I’m not entirely sure is enough to almost send me over the edge.

 My ever-changing emotions about leaving the comfort zone of uni life and going out into the big bad world is giving me whiplash. One minute I’m excited about what the future holds and the opportunities and prospects it undoubtedly has in store for me, both personally and professionally. The next minute I’m genuinely wondering how I will function as a fully “growed up” human being in the real world with a real job. It’s all oh so confusing. I’m sad that I’m finishing. I’m happy that I’m finishing. How can one be so happy and yet so sad at the same time? That bittersweet emotion tastes so strange.

Here are the five things I’m feeling as the final semester edges closer:

1.   A burning desire to never have to complete a college assignment again

This all too common thought is repeated again and again throughout final year. Now that I’m half way there and one semester away from completing essays, final year projects, presentations and all nighters I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

2. The motivation to apply for every single job going

 

The sheer panic and fear that you might not get a job after four years of hard work is enough to make you apply for every single job you come across. Sure a degree in journalism might not be equivalent to a degree in engineering but what’s the harm in applying…

3.   The temptation to punch anyone who asks you about your future 

Jobs, masters, post-grad programmes…if one more person asks me what I’m planning on doing once I leave college I may not be held responsible for my actions.

4.     The idea of hiding under my duvet and never surfacing again seems more appealing every day

The thought of getting a real life proper job is overwhelming at the best of times and some days staying in bed in my own little bubble and never ever ever ever leaving it seems like a good plan.

5.    Shock that this is my life

Sometimes it's all a bit much to take in; I’m about to graduate, with an actual degree. Life is about to start happening. I’m just going to let that sink in.  

Making changes

As Little Women’s Christmas approaches tomorrow the last of the Christmas trees will be taken down and the decorations put back up in the attic for another year. Christmas cards will be swiped from the mantelpiece leaving it looking rather bare. The fairy lights, dancing Santas, singing snowmen and the crib will all be put back in their boxes, now that their job is finished for another year.

Reality has returned with a bang as the first working week of the year officially kicks in. Those of us who over-indulged during the festive season are probably feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves. Too much food and too much alcohol have left many of us feeling lazy, sluggish and less than motivated.

But January brings with it good intentions and resolutions for the coming year. ‘Dry January’, a 31-day challenge to give up alcohol after the booze fuelled festive season, is a common trend many people undertake after Christmas. However, like new year’s resolutions, sticking to a strict no alcohol regime can be difficult, especially in the cold, dark Irish winter when a hot whiskey never seemed so tempting.

If you’re considering saying goodbye to Jägerbombs, shots and the famous pints of black stuff for the next few weeks then here are a few tips to help you in your cold turkey state.

• 1    Avoid the pub

It might seem like an obvious thing to do but avoiding the scene of the crime is a fool-proof way to keep any temptations you may have at bay.

• 2.       Two’s company

Going cold turkey on alcohol is zero craic. It’s minus craic if you’re the only one out of your group doing it. Persuading a friend to avoid the booze for a few weeks too will make missing out on nights at the pub a little bit easier. He or she might even thank you!

• 3.       Bye bye turkey tummy

Saying see-ya to alcohol can mean great news for your waist line. As alcohol contains a significant amount of calories, not consuming it can only be good for you and your body.

Adopting ‘Dry January’ to the rest of your lifestyle and diet can also have significant benefits. Replacing fizzy drinks with water, chocolate with fruit and takeaways with a properly cooked nutritious meal will all have positive benefits on you, your energy levels and your body. Over-eating and drinking at Christmas time can make it hard to cut out all the bad stuff when we’re used to it. But it can also make us motivated and determined to see change within ourselves; both physically and mentally.

With Operation Transformation also returning to our screens this week, will this year’s leaders inspire you to make any changes this year?