Social media isn’t just fun, it can be a valuable tool when traveling. It records your journeys, keeps your friends updated, and can allow you to capture the spirit of a time that might otherwise fade. Its use or overuse can be a problem, however, when not properly balanced. Whether you’re an accomplished traveler or are setting out for the first time, taking a considered approach can help you get the most from your journey.
Safety is Paramount
Social media can be a great way to meet people, but there are some people you don’t want to meet. When you’re traveling, safety concerns are multiplied without access to your regular support network. This is an issue you need to understand in-depth, and it should form the foundation of any social media activity you engage in while on the move.
Good safety practices on social media involve many different elements. For a start, it’s a good idea to create multiple accounts for both public and private audiences. You also want to only tag locations after you’ve left, so nobody has any chance to follow you. Good practice also involves removing metadata from your media so it can’t be tracked, and not allowing other people to tag you without your permission. This can be a lot to think about at first, but it will soon become second nature.
Quantity Versus Quality
One of the biggest issues we see with people heavily engaged with social media is that they focus too much on output. When you see something fascinating, it’s natural to be excited, but this excitement needs to be tempered by the understanding that the more common something is, the less special it becomes.
Even if you take a huge number of pictures of something you see, it can be best to select only the best of the best to post online. This will help you avoid the issue of social media audience fatigue. Remember, it’s good to always leave them wanting more. Even better, if you save some great pictures just for yourself, you can repost them on an anniversary for a new view of an old event.
Being in the Moment
Holding onto positive experiences is an important part of social media, but phones aren’t always the best way to do this. If you spend the entire time looking through a phone to capture something, you’re not truly engaging and being fully present. This is an idea we’ve often faced at concerts, where people spend the entire time recording through a phone. Just like in concerts, sometimes it’s best to take a step back.
Take a measured approach, and use recordings as a support of your memories, not the major component of your memories. This way you’ll get more out of your time, and you’ll be able to better reflect on what you enjoyed, or didn’t, and how that will affect your future travel plans.
The best way to combine these components is highly personal. While safety is always a must, finding the balance between the other facets can take some time. Experiment, leave yourself room to develop and grow, and you’ll be more likely to find a comfortable resting place. Just remember to bring a power bank, to ensure you’re never left in the lurch.
