Imagine saving money for months, a couple of years or even more. Then imagine travelling the world with your savings. It’s a dream come true, right? Continue imagining going to all the insta-famous spots and taking pictures and posting them for your followers to see.
Now think a few years in the future when you’ll probably be back to your normal life, which in most cases consists of a 9 to 5 job. Looking back at your travel adventures, do you want to remember going to a parking lot because it was insta-famous or having lunch with the locals and learning about their traditions?
I’m not saying you can’t do both, but I’m trying to make a point, because I see many accounts traveling to places I’ve been before, and seeing them visiting some of the most ridiculous spots just because someone took a fantastic picture there.
Take the example above of Hong Kong. One week spent there didn’t give me enough time to see all the beautiful temples, islands and fishing villages or neighbourhoods. I would not waste my time visiting a basketball court, just because it’s insta-famous. However if I was really a lover of the architecture surrounding the basketball court, then of course I would go there.
Instagram is a great platform to get your travel inspiration from, and it also inspires me! I take between 800-1000 pictures on a weekend getaway and I have a big passion for photography. So I would understand why someone with a passion for photography would want a picture in the famous parking lot. But if that parking lot would not be famous on Instagram, would you still go there to take the shot?
I do love to share my travels through my stories and posts, and I find myself struggling to find a balance between the social and real life. However when it’s all done and dusted, I want to enjoy my experiences and learning about new places. I want to remember the places and the new lessons I’ve learned from them, instead of getting all the Insta-famous travel spots. I’ve worked too hard to be able to travel, and I want to do it for myself, not for the gram!
Let’s not forget Instagram is meant to be a tool that inspires us and gives us a platform to share our travels, sometimes it’s easy to get lost in it. So just ask yourself: Am I traveling for myself, or for Instagram?
View Comments (4)
Love this! I was thinking about this recently and I think a lot of us are getting caught up in doing it for the gram.
Great food for thought!
Thanks, I was thinking about writing this for a while. I know there are people that don't agree with it. I would just hate it to go to all the beautiful places just to go to the famous spots and not the stuff that interests me personally the most :)
Could not agree with this post more! I can't imagine wasting time trying to get that Instagram perfect picture. (Heard that you sometimes have to wait lines haha) I think it is important to also stay unique and do your own thing. At least thats what I find fun! Doing exactly the opposite of what everyone else is doing haha.
Love this! As someone fairly new to the Instagram/Blogging scene I am already feeling the pressure of getting a perfect shot when I travel.. and that is NOT what traveling is about. Not to mention, seeing the same photos over and over is starting to get old. I love the unique things that aren't "insta famous" locations. They are as good if not better. Sometimes "doing it for the gram" leads to fun adventures but we always should be picking the village over the basketball court.