‘Touch grass’ is a new saying that has been popularised by Gen Z and is used when someone is doing something stupid or weird. It’s essentially a plea for these weirdos to breathe in some fresh air and to touch some grass, in order to regain their grip on reality. And, if there is one thing that busy, tired, and overworked university students need, it’s some grounding.
I know, you were raised to believe that talking to strangers is dangerous and can only end with you unconscious in a van somewhere. I understand completely; as a child, my mum made my sisters and I watch The Lovely Bones so that we wouldn’t trust strange old men. Despite this, I have come to learn that interacting with people you don’t know can be good for you (within reason, don’t ask the shadowy figure following you down the street how their day is going).
Honestly, I have been wanting to take an internet break for a very long time, but scrolling works in a similar way to an addiction. You’re never really satisfied, but you find yourself always going back for more. This may be a little embarrassing to admit, but since I first joined Instagram at the young young age of 13, I don’t think a single day has passed that I have not scrolled.
People always say that we need to slow down, that our modern society moves too fast, and we are busier than we have ever been. And I’ve always been inclined to agree. But of course, putting it into practice isn’t as easy as it sounds.
When I first came across this philosophy, I immediately wanted to try it because it focuses on creating pleasure, connection or progress through free or cheap means, and encourages time spent in the real world rather than online.
