"You're just seeking attention, stop it."

Here I am, going about my day being lazy as usual, but suddenly recalling something an acquaintance once said:

"You're just seeking attention, stop it."

So I decided to rant a little about it. It's nothing much but once in a while the sentence will pop up in my head - it's hella annoying so let's get it out here. UGH. (in fact, a lot of things they said pissed me off but that's another story🤦🏻)

Well, in context, that was what they said in response to people sharing stuff about their lives on social media. If you're one of those sharing your emotions on the Internet through posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., chances are that they meant you too. Sorry. Eh I'm pretty sure in 2017, most of us do share bits and pieces about ourselves on social media, to varying extents.

What they said was so dumb that it still dwells me in today because I wish I had the guts to tell them to shut up back then.

So what if you like to share about your grades/achievements on Facebook? So what if you wish to share about a good meal you just had on Instagram Stories? So what if you want to tweet about your recent visit to the doctor for flu?

According to that acquaintance, those are acts of attention-seeking. They think that there is absolutely no point in making that kind of posts to "wayang" (trans: putting on an act when nothing is being done), that those kind of posts are dumb and nobody cares.

LIKE, OMG, SO WHAT.

If you want to show off and feel proud of your achievements, go ahead! If you want everyone to know what you just ate, whether you cooked it or paid for it, whether you enjoyed it or hated it, go ahead! If you want your friends to know that you have fallen sick and need some support from friends over social media, GO AHEAD!

We, humans, have a certain level of belonging and ego needs to fulfil man. GO FULFIL YOUR NEEDS. Or maybe you just need an outlet to vent. Maybe you don't have a best friend to tell everything to and it's cool to share with everyone what you do, on the social media.

Whichever it is, don't listen to people who just love to 泼冷水 (trans: literally "pour cold water", meaning being a wet blanket - someone who ruins others' fun) all the time.

I hate how what they said makes me feel guilty whenever I overshare on social media. (Yes I know I'm sensitive but whatever). Okay so now I'm just gonna tell myself this: they are entitled to their narrow opinions and shitty comments that often make people feel bad, which I should just ignore already and do whatever I want.

As long as you're not hurting anyone when sharing about your life on social media, there's definitely nothing wrong with doing so! *cough* Use social media responsibly! *cough*

In fact, most of us lurking on the Internet are such busybodies that we simply love knowing more about other people's lives. Haha this is kind of like economics - since there are demands, obviously we need enough supply to feed the busybodies, simple as that.

So, who cares if we're asking for attention or not?🤷🏻

The woes of online shopping

As I add yet another item to my virtual shopping cart, I realised something a tad bit too late. All my purchases over the Internet has always been driven by "Why not?" instead of wants, much less needs.

It's really bad. I could be adding a leather dress to my cart when it isn't even my style.

Do I have a problem? Well, maybe.

But then again, with the massive amount of goods that can be easily ordered over the bits and bytes - that know our online behaviour so well - it's kind of hard to resist any "Why not?" that pops up in my head as I get sidetracked while searching for a product I wish to buy.

This may sound similar to point-of-purchase displays in retail marketing, in which strategies in stores attempt to influence purchase decisions at the last minute for shoppers ready to pay for their items. Typically, this is done in your brick and mortars for areas near the cashier. Remember on those display shelves beside the counter, those $2 chocolate bars selling at $3 for 2 that you bought because "why not"? Damn. I know I did. I always fall for marketing tricks. *facepalms*

Well, in a way, it's way worse when you shop online (special shoutout: curse you Taobao! *coughs*). These surprise attacks don't only get launched on you as you approach the cashier - or in this case, the checkout button I suppose? THEY RAID YOU EVERYWHERE.

With every click, the e-commerce trash follows you, ready to pounce any second. All their "suggested for you", "items we know you would like *smirk face*", "trending items", "suggested search options" section hanging on the sidebars, sitting at the bottom of the page, etc.

Ahhh, these algorithms. They think they are so clever. Okay, um, I guess they are. Eh, not discrediting anyone here.

Between you and me, I am actually really delighted with Taobao's recommendation system. On their mobile app's home screen, they always make FANTASTIC suggestions to me, especially when they step on their own feet recommending items I have already saved, but sold by another seller at a way cheaper price (lmao).

But who is suffering at the end of the day?

No, definitely not just me. It would be unjust to put myself forward as the mere victim of this mess. My heart is simply collateral damage in situations like this.

You know who the biggest victim is? MY WALLET. Rumour has it that it has been weeping since I learned what online shopping it :'(

This is kinda a weird thing for me to talk about actually. Being someone who yawns within seconds of stepping into a fashion retail store, I don't know why I get caught up with Taobao so easily (other than it being significantly cheaper and I don't actually see my money going away physically when shopping online haha). It's a vicious cycle - I buy something, that something arrives, then I go back to the platform to look for more... rinse and repeat. Not even getting shitty products can stop me from going back.

Sigh.

Cheers to my wallet for braving all my stormy "Why not?" all these times. You have been a survivor, you adorable little Gryffindor. 

...and here's to hoping that the leather dress fits when it arrives. Hah.

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Why am I writing about online shopping at midnight? I have no idea man, I do things on a whim. I came here to complain about my bad habit shopping on the Internet but it turned into a full-length blog post lol. I'm so sleepy now and yes, I know I'm wasting my time but at the same time I'm pretty proud I finally made a proper post on this blog!

It has been a long time since I last typed so much about shits. Feels great :)