Scroll through the social media feed of any given Millennial, and you could easily find Instagram pictures of people drinking a beer on a beach, sightseeing in Prague, or hiking in Yosemite. Travel is BIG right now and many Millennials crave the feeling of wanting to experience something different, almost to a fault. It’s one of the biggest qualities that divides us from previous generations, who more often prioritized settling down with a stable 9-5 job.
Incorporating a desire to push the boundaries of knowledge and exposure is something every person should always strive for. It can make people better citizens of the world, and to have an understanding of how to reach others, who may have nothing in common together. The intent and the reason to travel is inherently good. It’s like reading the newspaper from different countries instead of only reading the local paper.
Despite the intention, it is social media that deters from the travel experience. When people open Facebook or Instagram while waiting for a bus, that’s one thing. However, the most common complaint I hear from older generations is, “You can’t seem to get off your phone long enough to actually experience anything”. Though it may be annoying to hear from your relatives, there is some truth to that statement.
Too often nowadays, we are able to travel in extreme comfort and luxury. I don't refer to luxury and comfort as sitting in first class on a plane or staying in a nice hotel. Having a GPS to navigate anywhere, is a commodity older generations didn't have. Imagine having to locate yourself by asking locals or by using a regular map!
The amount of people who utilize maps are few and far between. 'Yelp' further isolates us from merging into the host country or city. It is so easy to open the app to find places to eat, but it doesn't give us an accurate read on the local hotspots. We want the ease of traveling, but don't want to sit in the discomfort or monotonous moments that travel usually expects.
Rather than taking your phone out for social media or for selfies, make the memory by being present in the moment instead. It’s difficult to imagine traveling without some good pictures to bring back, but make the challenge to enjoy the moment for what it is. It is too easy to pull out a phone and distract ourselves with it! Strive to watch the locals, ask for directions, and don’t be afraid to make an attempt at the local language! Accept the fact that you may not know everything, regardless of the many "how-to" articles you've extensively researched beforehand.
If people are constantly checking for notifications or taking pictures, it’s unlikely they would notice the small quirks or happenings of the present moment outside their phone. Watching the way locals experience their lives on a normal day to day basis is fascinating and refreshing.
Traveling is all about accepting discomfort and pushing your zone of limitations. Make sure to remind yourself that your relationship with your phone, isn’t shadowing the reason you came here in the first place.
Now go forth, and enjoy your trip to the fullest!
