I’ve been noticing commentary lately about how what we share on social media is inaccurate of real life and only shows the brightest aspects of it. There are also studies, of course at this point hardly newsworthy, about how social media use affects our self-esteem. And then there are people who make snide remarks about what others post, those for whom it seems a downright atrocity to share fun goings-on of life and especially travel.
I’m not one of those people. I love being able to share my world via social media because it keeps me from being a complete hermit and keeps me connected near or far. I’d like to post on Facebook more photos from my travels, but I can’t help feeling like posting a bunch of pics is going to make some people angry or spiteful. Obviously, a solution is in the hands of the viewers. They can unfriend or unfollow if they never want to again be bothered by “look where I went this summer!” pics.
It has been a pleasant surprise to hear from many friends that you enjoy my travel photos and that you wish I’d post more. I’d love to share them with you! While some of them feature friends I made along the way, most of my travels have been alone, so it makes my adventures feel less “solo” to share them with friends and family across the miles that separate many of us. Plus, I greatly enjoy reliving my experiences by going through the photos.
Others may enjoy looking at travel photos for a variety of reasons, for example: to get inspiration about their own journeys, to help someone decide NOT to go to a specific place, to educate about geography or diversity, to help someone relive their own pleasant travel experiences.
I suppose looking at lots of travel photos might indeed make someone feel like they are missing out, but, well, you ARE missing out if you’re not traveling! But while I was traveling and taking these photos, I was missing out on having a steady job like the one from which I’d been laid off. I was missing out on having a house or bed or anywhere to sleep besides on a French garden-level floor beneath a crusty punching bag. I was missing out on spending holidays with my family and old friends. And I like seeing the photos that you post about all those aspects of life!
A dear woman and hometown friend recently said in response to one of my travel photos on Facebook something about how she was living vicariously through my travels. (Admittedly, I hear that a lot.) I pointed out how I get to live vicariously through seeing photos of sweet families like hers. We realized that together, we have it all! Isn’t that one of the best things we can get from social media? Getting to learn about different dimensions of each other’s lives, sharing the best parts of them, reaching out to eachother – I’m not sure how that’s gotten a bad reputation, but it’s time to see it in a new light for the new year.
I’m curious though, have you ever unfriended or unfollowed someone simply because you were tired of their travel photos? What about for conspicuous consumption (jewelry, vehicles, brand names)? How about for too many baby pics? Has looking at someone else’s photos ever made you really sad, or did you use it to inspire you?
Your voice matters!