Photo credit: sarahsmilesawhile.com

It is one of the most used slangs in the social media world! And a prerequisite for being perceived as cool in this interesting generation. In the virtual communities and networks you are nobody if you ain’t got swag. Swag which is an abbreviation of the word swagger is all about style, coolness and confidence. It doesn’t hurt to possess swag especially in these times where virtually everything is based on the visual- physical appearance and fashion. I have no issues with swag except that more and more I see swag replace common sense. I see swag replace modesty. I see swag replace good morals and tact. I see swag replace substance! The truth is that many young people are all about the swag and have very little substance. Too many people are only concerned about being flashy in appearance and style with little or no depth to their character. For a lot of people between the ages of 18-35 it is all about the looks, the clothes and shoes, and of course social media validation based on the number of likes they can amass for a picture. It’s all about the swag!

It is not out of place in these times to see a 30 year old man wearing drooping pants all in the name of swag. Swag is now defined by getting weird piercings and tattoos in the strangest of body parts, wearing dog chains and jeans that almost drop to the knees, not forgetting a poor imitation of some foreign accent. The swag we know is ephemeral- a shallow facade. Many forget that swag isn’t going to pay the bills 20 years down the line. Ten years down the line, swag will no longer impress that lady who agreed to marry you even though she may have been attracted to you because of that at first. Substance on the other hand naturally commands the right kind of attention that isn’t forced. Unlike swag it brings about long lasting fulfillment that comforts and rewards. Ever wonder why some celebrities are considered vintage while others are seen as mere attention seekers at best and nuisances at worst? Well, apart from their professional skills, the classy celebs stay away from the bandwagon of their colleagues who showcase fake lives on social media. The resultant effect is that their fans appreciate them more for their rarity. When you possess substance you possess class.  You have the right kind of self confidence that doesn’t border on cockiness or arrogance. You command respect.

It is true that times have changed and are still changing. Gone are the days where just being a bookworm and getting the best result in school or bagging all the degrees available within a record time guaranteed success in life. Nowadays things are different and acquiring a multiplicity of skills and knowledge is more likely to ensure success than being the nerd that some of our parents wanted us to be. Indeed, some jobs require a bit of swag to pull off. And like I stated earlier, I have absolutely nothing against swag. However, the one who possesses a combination of substance and swag has plenty of edge over one whose only claim to fame is swag. There are too many vain people out there who lack true substance intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. They are only about the image and their mantra is “Fake it till you make it.” And that may turn out well for them as long as they make it eventually.

All I am saying is, as much as we are the cool generation who are very particular about our image, adding a little substance that will do us a whole lot of good as there is nothing attractive about a young man or woman who possesses all the swag in the world but has nothing else going for them. In the grand scheme of things, swag is nothing, substance is everything. Swag may give you the X- factor but substance is the real deal!