By Chelbie Smith
Photo from Unsplash
Social media is probably one of my favourite outlets for not only communication, but also to platform my thoughts and creativity. I mean how amazing is it that I can connect to family who are thousands of miles away just by a few clicks? They can stay updated on what I am doing in all of my posts appreciating the charming, Firenze. But now that I am living in a town during tourists’ peak, it has made me question my treasured social media.
As I weaved through the crowded streets surrounding the Duomo, I grew agitated while bumping into the tourists who stopped directly in path to take pictures. I quickly learned in my month of living in Florence that it is inevitable for this to happen. Every day I walk into a photo or run into someone who has stopped to take a picture or even be asked to take a picture of tourists themselves. I looked around to see a world of people not really taking in or appreciating the majesty of the beautiful architecture that stood in front of us. It was all about taking pictures, not living in the moment.
Then I thought to myself about all of the times that I myself did not pay attention to what was surrounding me, instead I wanted to show off what was in front of me on social media. This self-reflection put me in a bit of a frenzy and I wanted to challenge myself. That evening I headed to Piazzale Michelangelo without my phone. That’s right. No phone to snap a sunset picture. No proof for my followers to reply with heart eyes or approval. Today I wanted to just take it all in, without wondering about what everyone back home was thinking of the little glimpse into my life while living here.
On the walk there it felt a little strange, I kept patting my pockets thinking that I lost my phone and then laughing at myself when remembering it is at home. In that moment I realised how truly attached I am to it and that itself was pretty scary. But nevertheless I continued walking alone. No music, no friends, just me and the sounds of the mopeds, street vendors, and the breeze of the coming of fall. I finally arrived.
As I stood in the Piazzale Michelangelo I stared at the bright orange, red, pink, purple, and blue hues that painted the sky over the Chianti mountains. I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite as beautiful as this particular sunset. I looked over the city and in that moment I just felt content. No need to post or to take a picture. My memory of that night will do just fine. The sunset that night brought more than just a scenic view, but clarity that I need to be away from my cellphone more often. While I was away from it I had no thoughts or questions of what was going on at home or no need to worry and I especially did not feel like the tourists I had seen earlier that day.
I want to utilise these two and a half months left in Florence by stopping to smell the roses, in any aspect that can be applied to. The delicious food, the calmness but also high energy of the main points in the city, watching the native Florentines communicate so passionately, and the strange feeling of comfort in the city, even as being a foreigner. Challenging myself with leaving my phone at home sometimes and decreasing the time I spend on social media will impact me in the long run, even after I leave the beautiful Florence.