Why Taking Too Many Instagram Photos Can Ruin Your Vacation
Happy vacation! Time to sit back, relax, and...take a lot of photos to share (ahem, brag) about your good good times on social media.
Well, doing just that may impact how much you enjoy your getaway — and not for the better.
Jaime Kurtz psychology professor at James Madison University in Virginia and author of The Happy Traveler: Unpacking the Secrets of Better Vacations recently told CBC Radio, "Getting that perfect picture to put on Instagram to impress your friends can sometimes trump just being in the moment and enjoying it."
So what to do instead? First, considering skipping visiting specific destinations, restaurants, or even booking certain accommodations based on the "Instagram appeal." Rather, be open to letting days unfold organically without the pressure to capture things on your phone all day long. "Sometimes the best things happen when you're just not planning and just being spontaneous," said Kurtz.
Sometimes, embrace your inner JOMO — Joy of Missing Out — on your travels and ditch an excursion to that one monument or mural everybody posts about on social media. Go do something a local recommends you try in place of that photo-centric outing and put your phone away. Sometimes, missing out means tuning in to your inner experience, having a better time than you ever imagined, and discovering a road (way) less traveled.
WATCH: The Sneaky Way You're Ruining Vacation
Have you ever tried a social media detox while on vacation? What are your thoughts on partaking in the experience while traveling?
