Smiling is one of those things that we all do, even if some smile too much and others too infrequently for their own good. As our society has progressed, though, there seems to be fewer and fewer genuine smiles. Technology, I can honestly say, is directly responsible for this. For one, too many people are looking down at their phones instead of ahead at passersby. And just as bad, social media has promoted the fake smile, posing for cameras to have the “perfect smile” instead of a genuine smile. I realize a decent chunk of people don’t really care about this. I mean, the ones that don’t care are typically those who are engrossed in their own world. But it’s still one of those things that I think people should realize is changing them for the worse. I say this because smiling is a huge mood booster when you properly register someone else smiling. It’s chemically designed to increase the flow of endorphins within your brain, making you feel happier when you smile and someone smiles back. That’s why human contact shouldn’t be neglected on the daily. Obviously, we have our family and close friends to talk to and see everyday. But sometimes that’s not enough. Interacting with a stranger can make us feel adventurous, unique, and confident in ourselves, even if it’s just a simple smile with someone passing by. Think about the branding opportunities that have been seized by companies who plastered a type of smile on their cardboard boxes within stores or shipping on the go. It’s a recognizable symbol of happiness. And ultimately, people want to buy things that make them feel happy. So, whether or not it’s on cardboard boxes or your face, a smile is contagious and super beneficial to humanity. The next time you’re walking along downtown, try to keep your phone away from your hands and just observe people. Observe the buildings and trees. Take it in and just smile. You’ll feel much better about where you live or work. Others will likely notice you and smile too. For the betterment of our own tech-obsessed culture, try to be the model that many people fail to truly see. A genuine smile, confident air, and open and observant nature may just land you a date with your future spouse or a meeting with the dream job you always wish you had. Just keep your eyes forward and take in everything.
0 Comments
Around this time of year, full lineups of all American festivals are starting to finalize. People everywhere are hyped about their favorite festivals (or sorely disappointed in some) and begin dropping money on tickets, lodging arrangements, and making sure their closest friends are actually in on the trip this year. This phase is in full swing. And that phase is the hype build up. By releasing lineups, festival organizers ensure that fans everywhere get absolutely ecstatic and are willing to throw their money at whatever is needed. Whether those fans are discovering new events and artists in the undercard or raging because of their actors being named a headliner, everyone is excited and ready for the weather to warm up and the festival circuit to kick off. What a lot of people don’t talk about when they mention their last trip to a festival, though, is the actual trip there. All the tasks required in planning, packing, traveling, unloading, setting up, repacking, and driving back home can be taxing and even something that a lot of people are unprepared for. Sometimes, these things can be a blast and a breeze (if you plan ahead especially). Other times, they can be a huge pain to handle. Find lists of essential items online Reddit and other outlets like Facebook and Instagram have exactly what you’re looking for. From bands you must see to checklists for things to pack, the online festival community has your back. Check around to see what other festival goers recommend bringing and make your own tailored checklist to mark off items as you pack. Bring containers Whether you’re using toes or cardboard boxes, fill your containers with different things and label them. This will make it easier to pack and plan ahead, first off, because you can put festival things in your cardboard boxes months before the actual festival without losing those things. Also, it allows you to pack things in your vehicle easier since everything isn’t strewn about haphazardly. Drive down in a truck, SUV, or van
Surely someone in your family or friend group has any of these to borrow so that you can have as much room as needed for packing. Obviously if the festival is farther away, it’s tougher to convince someone you know to allow you to put a lot of miles on their vehicle, but still, having any of these vehicles is an absolute godsend because of how much extra room you’ll have and how much easier it is to pack it to the brim. (Having a bed on the truck is definitely preferred to ward off rain when traveling down and staying.) If you’re unable to secure a vehicle from a family member or friend, though, think about renting! You just need someone who is 25 or older in your party. |