If you're in the habit of scrolling through your Instagram feed daily, do you ever feel like you've already visited exotic destinations like Maldives, Thailand, France, Bali, and various parts of Europe? I certainly do. With the proliferation of high-quality cameras and internet access, we now have the ability to virtually explore the world from the palm of our hands. While this may sound exciting at first glance, is it truly fulfilling?
Over the past year, my Instagram feed has been inundated with wedding clips and travel stories from these popular destinations. It feels as though I've seen so many of them already that physically visiting these places wouldn't bring the same sense of novelty. It's a double-edged sword—on one hand, having abundant information at our fingertips can lead to smoother travel experiences with fewer hiccups, but on the other hand, it robs us of the excitement and wonder of discovery.
This experience highlights the challenge of finding genuine joy in today's world. Exploring new destinations used to be a dream for my 16-year-old self, but now it seems like a mainstream activity with everyone doing it. As someone who finds happiness in the uniqueness of experiences, I crave activities that are out of the ordinary. But then these activities definitely require extra effort given how accessible and affordable things have become.
If you resonate with this feeling of having seen too much without truly experiencing it, there are still ways to infuse your travels with novelty. Consider exploring completely uncharted territories like Masai-Mara in Africa or lesser-known parts of India. While this may demand meticulous planning, the unique experiences you'll encounter could lead to the discovery of new travel destinations. Alternatively, you can revisit familiar places but opt for less popular itineraries to inject a sense of thrill and adventure into your journey. Another unpopular option would be to cut away from social media - that way each experience might be unique to you :)
Whatever you choose, prioritize experiences that truly enrich your life—whether it's happiness, relaxation, or whatever it is that you are seeking from your vacation.
Happy Travelling!