In the grand scheme of evolution, even travel has not been spared. Once, travellers meticulously accounted their daring feats, penning down the smallest details in their dairies that held the essence of their experiences.
From the feel of the sand under their feet to the chaos at the marketplace, they painted a picture that teleported readers to distant lands, even years later. But today, there’s a stark contrast to how we document our journeys.
A few days ago, while traveling in South Goa, I overheard a fellow bus passenger exclaim, “I've never seen this side of Goa before!” Her voice was filled with awe as she gazed at the misty hills kissed by the gentle rain.
Having visited North Goa multiple times, but residing in Mumbai, she was unfamiliar with this enchanting landscape in the State’s south. Yet, instead of fully immersing herself in the moment, she instinctively reached for her phone to capture a video, sharing the breathtaking scenery and her excitement on social media.
Witnessing this moment first-hand of ‘capturing for digital consumption’, the realisation came in that although she was moved, her immediate reaction to document it for social media is quite a common practice among many in this digital age.
With more tools than ever, today, especially smartphones and the ease to photograph at our fingertips, there’s a constant need to archive everything on our digital albums. Yet, this convenience seems to have come with a price.
On one hand, we end up with a lot of visual memories to hold on to, but the main setback remains the dilution of a quality travel experience with the constant need to capture.
Imagine a stunning sunset at Goa’s beach casting a magical glow on its waters, and you are preoccupied trying to find the perfect composition to capture the scene, or a Goan thali just served at your table, and instead of diving into the flavours, you let your camera savour it first.
The relentless pursuit of the perfect shot can overshadow the present moment, leaving us with a sense of disappointment. Therefore, to fully enjoy the adventure without sacrificing the capturing of its essence, a delicate balance must be struck when we head out to travel.
It's essential to set boundaries. Unplugging from technology allows for deeper connections with the world around us. Although devices have an incredibly large storage, it’s best to slow down, assign some device-free time to allow yourself to really take in the moment.
Another thing is to be mindful of the consequences of your content. The beauty of a place is best left unspoiled. Over-commercialisation and revealing hidden gems, can sometimes harm delicate environments, strain existing resources and create unsustainable tourism.
Our world is inherently imperfect, and so too are the moments we experience. Let go of the pressure to capture perfection. Instead of meticulously staging photographs, embrace the authenticity of the fleeting moment and portray an honest reflection of your travel escapades.
To be honest, social media can wait. There’s no deadline you need to catch up with; immerse yourself in the adventure as it unfolds. Your followers can anticipate your stories as, and when, you return from your trip with tales to share.
The relentless pursuit of the perfect shot can overshadow the present moment, leaving us with a sense of disappointment. Therefore, to fully enjoy the adventure without sacrificing the capturing of its essence, a delicate balance must be struck when we head out to travel.
Moreover, while many of us often plan trips after being lured by the amazing travel content shared across online, let’s not forget there’s something special in venturing out with no plan at all. It’s almost like a surprise is awaiting you.
Getting into conversations with locals about directions, or their recommendations about things to do around is, in fact, an incredible part of setting out to new places that must not be ruined with overexposure of content and excessive research.
Nevertheless, if you are among those who find solace in capturing every moment, whether through the written word or digital imagery, remember cherishing memories is one thing, but fully living in the present is another.
The next time you reach for your phone, maybe you should pause and re-consider.