I went on a trip last week. It was a long overdue getaway with my husband, something that we had promised to do frequently when we got married. We know how important one on one time is, how beneficial it is to get away with your partner, even for one evening. But guess what? Life is busy. And expensive. So we don’t get away as much as we would like. Don’t get me wrong, I know that we actually manage (and make an effort) more often than most people and for that I am grateful. But this year has been particularly hectic with high school graduation, college expenses, a relatively new business that needs constant tending and Doug’s very busy work schedule. So our travel schedules did not gel in any way for the past year. But then, the stars aligned and we found a window – business travel that could be combined with a vacation, two children off at college, one on a week long trip for school and a very accommodating grandmother all made it possible for us to do what had been unthinkable as of late: we hopped on a plane and headed to LA.
“What??” you say. “You went to Southern California? I don’t think that’s right. I looked on Instagram. I looked on Facebook. I saw nothing.” Well my friends, the old adage “if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” does not apply here. If a person travels from the east coast to the west coast but neglects to document the journey on social media, the journey has still taken place. In fact, if you ask me, the lack of a social media presence during a special vacation is the true indication that it was pretty amazing. I know that was the fact for me.
It’s not that I didn’t take pictures. I did. I just didn’t find the time or the compulsion to post those pictures. Were they social media worthy? Sure! Might I post them sometime (Throwback Thursday, Flashback Friday)? I just may. Does this mean that every trip I have taken during which I posted pictures to social media (on a daily basis sometimes) wasn’t meaningful and special to me? Not at all. Don’t get me wrong. I am not judging, I am just suggesting that it is not necessary to share every monumental event with the world. Your social media accounts should not be be the barometer by which your happiness is judged. By that measure, my trip to LA sucked. And believe me, it didn’t. Enjoy your moments, in the moment. If you feel compelled to share, do that. If you don’t, then don’t. Travel for yourself, not for others. You don’t need photographic proof that it happened. The only proof you need is the smile on your face when you return. Adventure has that effect.
Love this – and thrilled you had a wonderful trip together!
Thanks Rebecca!
Totally agree but I have to say that it is nice to have a personal photographer along ( I am sure you know) to document the experience so you can share it together later.
Oh yes, I feel very lucky that my travel partner is also my staff photographer! You can relate as well!
Ashley, My husband and I were visiting our son in San Diego last week also. We stay at the Del on Coronado island and I feel like a princess . It is hard to get away but it’s a must .I came back rested and ready for our beautiful fall . So glad you had a nice time. Hugs, JoAnne
Just perfect – you know how non-tech savy I am, and probably always will be!! I so agree that people are so busy documenting what they see, they don’t see or enjoy the moment for what it is! For example-I was at the Saratoga Travers race in August when American Pharoah was such a favorite after his Triple Crown race- I tried to capture the finish, but because I am new at taking pictures on my phone, I got three sets of horse legs and missed the finish! Enjoy the moment because you probably won’t get a chance to actually see it again!! FYI – AP came in 2nd!!! luv mom XOXO