Dear Internet,
I have decided to make this life-changing step with you formally. This letter is to say our attachment comes to an end at this moment. For sure, you have been a great and an ever-available companion all my life. You came in my life during a period I was still finding my true self. In my teenage, with all the societal pressures and continuous family moving, you were the only constant in my life. Everywhere I went, the people expected me to behave, dress, and live in a certain way. Every school had different expectations of me; to get specific grades, join that club, play the other sport, but you always accepted me with all my flaws.
You allowed me to mold my world, live a parallel existence, and change my virtual persona as the world desired. In Tumblr, Facebook, Reddit, and online games, I felt desirable and perfect. With you, I was not required to invest real-feelings, and knock-backs from the social interactions did not hurt as much as in my real world. In grief, there you were, always with the right content to cheer me up. My online character has been enviable, rewarding me with joy and respect from my peers. In all aspects, you were my haven.
However, and this is huge but, looking back has established, you have taken more than you have given. Everything I received from you has come with a price. You encouraged me to isolate myself at the expense of my self-esteem and meaningful relationships. Over the years, you helped me add stones to heighten my wall of fear of resentment and rejection. Now there’s nothing like social support in my life. Leave alone; looking within me, I do not believe I have the social cues to start creating relationships.
The last month has certainly opened my perspective to what you are, a pest. You thrive on me being alone, bounded, and behind closed doors with you. I have been deteriorating socially and financially on virtual investments, but it is now going to change. I could not understand how every time I was looking forward to the next break to go online or how anxious and depressed I felt when my battery died. To my surprise, you have been scheming behind my back, giving me a virtual peace and securities. I can now see through the fog, all those rewards remain just that, virtual.
I have been truanting, unproductive, and a shell of my true self, but now I am taking control. It is I who gave you power, and I who will retrieve it back. I know I will see you frequently, but my compulsions will not lead me back to you. I want normal. Actually, I need normal, to grief, to be rejected, to enjoy customary fun activities, and real relationships. Today I declare war, equipped with my relentless willpower, am going to defeat you. I pledge to create awareness and help other vulnerable youths who you have gripped by their throats to suffocation. I can feel the smirk on your face as you read this letter, but trust me, you are not getting in again. I changed the locks.
Yours Sincerely,
Student’s Name