Realization101: Real-World Still Matters

April 15, 2021

It's been nine months now since I converged into this digital world for real. Consistently connecting to virtual friends, working with this virtual job, exploring this digital crypto space. I spent more time connecting the chains of blocks, discovering new things about this digital space, learning how to decipher this complicated world, taking every opportunity that floats on the crypto space.

It's fun, exciting, entertaining, and I'm earning. At first, I said it was cool and I want to say longer. Then when I stayed longer, indeed it's cool and every day I seek for more fun and excitement. I became busier, both at work and in my digital world. Handling these two worlds is somewhat tough, but I became used to it and some things have changed.

Before I entered this world, my routine orbits around my work, family, self, and entertainment.

Working time was working time, no procrastination, no connection to the digital world. I was so hardworking and dedicated to every task thrown at me, a literal working woman I should say. My life was productive but tedious as it was only focused on few facets. But that's what I need to do, to be productive to survive this arduous ride.

The hours before sending my eyes to sleep, I tap my phone and connect directly to my family at home. No side jobs for extra income, as I was only relying on the benefits the real world gave me. I was contented and I had more time to spare for myself.

The holidays were spent for relaxation and entertainment. Still using technology though but all for entertainment, listening to music, binge-watching, fangirling, loving Oppas, Kdramas, Kpops, and roaming around the city. I never think of other things except with myself, family and career.

But all of a sudden, when I was hooked by the big green-colored letter B tailed with "cash," my world transformed into a digital one. It has so much potential that I can't just let it go, and the space where I transitted, was full of jewels and gold coins that you can just grab it anytime, anywhere, and collecting those coins has been part of my daily life.

The ADLs have started to change, and the interaction with the real world started to decrease.

Even during my holidays, my mind is always floating in this space. And instead of connecting to my real world, my fingers are busy tapping my digital device. I wasn't aware that I was already disconnecting myself from the world where I should be connected, and from the people that I should interact with.

Until realization hits me when one of my friends suddenly knocked my head out that waken my senses. She was mad, and I know it's all my fault. I don't interact with them that much and she said that I'm only up to "seen" which was true. I thought just reading their convo wasn't bad, but I only made them mad.

She threw a sullen attitude and I just threw her back an explanation. From all people, she knew me more and she knows that all I am doing is for my family and future. But what she thought was I changed because I have new friends. I may have new friends but I'm still lonely. And it was my fault not to mind them because I was more busy dealing with my virtual world.

I was unaware that I am already removing blocks from the tower of friendship we had built.

We started as being classmates in our Caregiving class (except with Mitch, the smallest lady in the group as I met her in my first job), then friendship was built. They were there when I needed company, they comforted me every time I was sad. The time when I don't know where to go when I eloped from my father, Ate Jel (the lesbian) offered me a roof to stay. If the couples are busy (Mitch and Ate Jel), Mafe (the one who's always next to me) was always there to entertain me. Her sense of humor and kindness made me liked her much and I treated her as a sister.

They were there when I need them, but I was away when they need me.

They were my friends I can count on wholeheartedly, whom I can tell my deepest secrets. When I have chosen this decision to work abroad, they have supported me even if they don't agree with it. They are also my bullies, a group of friends that can get on my nerves. But that's what the real friends are, not fakes, not plastics. And despite bullying and misunderstanding, at the end of the day, I knew who really has my back and my best interest at heart.

It isn't too late yet, now is the time to regain what I have lost. The time for my real friends as well as for my family in the real world. I don't want the time to come that I will regret everything, and they are my only real friends so I don't want to lose them.

The digital world is fun, but there is no place like the real world where your real family and friends reside.

Lead image from https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/536702480599023744/