Over the last few weeks, authenticity is certainly an issue that has been playing a more prevalent role in my mind as I come to grips with how to be a more “real” version of myself. Before coming to Detroit, I told myself that I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity I have this summer and really discover a place by myself without my parents telling us which places we should visit. I wanted to discover Detroit on my agenda and really understand the city my own way. However, one week into the program, I felt I had not achieved that yet. Yes I was learning to cook, eating healthier and getting to know the people I’m living with, but I was not really exploring the city. Rather I was using my downtime after work just relaxing in the comfort of my own room, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook just like every other teenager. Midst that endless scrolling, I came across a video that really altered how I’ve approached the rest of my time here in Detroit. It was a video of a young guy who deleted his social media for 30 days after seeing how much time he was wasting on his phone each day. After looking at my screen time for a week on my phone, a number I am not willing to disclose, I decided to delete social media and give this a go.
Since then I have seen myself far more open to trying and exploring new things. Admittedly I still sleep in a ridiculous amount on the weekends, a trait I have no intention of letting go off, but when I am active, I want to spend my day exploring rather than scrolling. Perhaps the best example of that was the decision to go to the Detroit City FC match this Saturday. I had just returned from the gym when Saagar proposed the idea of going and initially, I told myself I am far too tired to go and watch a soccer game in the heat. However, being a huge soccer fan who loves experiencing different soccer atmospheres around England and the world, I knew it would be foolish to let this experience go, especially when DCFC are known to have the best soccer atmosphere in America. The experience was worth it and totally fulfilling. We were right in the middle of the most fanatic DCFC fans, taking part in their soccer chants as flares were lit all around us making the pitch near invisible. In that moment, I was so glad I had gone. Rather than stay in my room and kill time on my phone, the removal of social media reduced that incentive to me and I ended up experiencing one of the best soccer atmospheres I’ve been in. I hope to continue this form of exploration for the remainder of our time here.
Since then I have seen myself far more open to trying and exploring new things. Admittedly I still sleep in a ridiculous amount on the weekends, a trait I have no intention of letting go off, but when I am active, I want to spend my day exploring rather than scrolling. Perhaps the best example of that was the decision to go to the Detroit City FC match this Saturday. I had just returned from the gym when Saagar proposed the idea of going and initially, I told myself I am far too tired to go and watch a soccer game in the heat. However, being a huge soccer fan who loves experiencing different soccer atmospheres around England and the world, I knew it would be foolish to let this experience go, especially when DCFC are known to have the best soccer atmosphere in America. The experience was worth it and totally fulfilling. We were right in the middle of the most fanatic DCFC fans, taking part in their soccer chants as flares were lit all around us making the pitch near invisible. In that moment, I was so glad I had gone. Rather than stay in my room and kill time on my phone, the removal of social media reduced that incentive to me and I ended up experiencing one of the best soccer atmospheres I’ve been in. I hope to continue this form of exploration for the remainder of our time here.
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