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People have taken the fun out of adventure by turning it into a show. Think about how many of us visit places just because they look great in photos. These days, we care too much about how our lives appear to others. We rarely pause to think about how an experience feels in the moment. Everyone is chasing the coolest photo, the next viral video, or the perfect “living my best life” post.
But if you take away the phones, filters, and audience, would you still do what you do?
Studies show the more time you spend taking a picture just for the gram, the less you actually remember about the location and experience? Isn’t that weird?
So what’s driving this behavior? Many of us admittedly feel empty inside, so we try to outdo each other as a way to find fulfillment. That is why when a friend shares a picture from some popular spot, you may instantly feel like you're missing out. You have to go. You have to share the experience. It’s not because you want to be there, but because staying silent feels like falling behind.
Want to flip all of that on its head? Keep reading.
3 Ways to Take Back Your Experiences
Letting go of performative adventuring isn’t easy. Start practicing these steps to disconnect self-esteem from your online highlights:
Do an Ego Check to Plan Better: Is it you or your friends who dictate your weekend plans? If you're more excited to brag about something in the future than to do it now, scrap the adventure. Pick something you'd truly love doing, even if you could never tell anyone about it. The activity needs to make you feel fulfilled, not your friends.
Follow the No Phone Rule: Next time you go out, even if it's just a simple coffee run, try leaving your phone behind. Start finding some moments where your phone is in a proverbial backseat. Train your mind to understand that memories are still valuable even without a digital imprint.
Go on an Unattractive Adventure: Push yourself to try a new activity in an ordinary place. You don’t have to necessarily visit a popular spot or spend a fortune to feel good. Try strolling down a street with plain buildings and no trendy shops. Sit on a bench facing an old brick wall and pay attention. See the cracks in the sidewalk, hear the hum of cars passing, and feel the air around you. The key is to actively engage all five of your senses as you feel the place rather than passively experience it. Perhaps you’ll find out that your dream place was just 1 mile away.
Real adventure happens when you notice the world right in front of you. You don’t need a passport, a flawless sunset, or an audience. Stop focusing on the picture-perfect image, set the camera aside, and enjoy what’s happening now.
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Want More: Tools to Bring Adventure in Life
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