By Hannah Whitesides

Too many times when people travel they only see the world through their camera. They stand before the breathtaking scenery of the Grand Canyon and fail to acknowledge the 20 million years of rigorous erosion that took place. They stand with their backs to the Roman Colosseum, taking selfies, forgetting that this ruin is a symbol of power, fear and monarchy. They walk down the Great Wall of China without remembering the thousands of lives that were lost during its creation.

The most beautiful thing about the world is the history it carries through time to show us we are much smaller than we tend to think. Sadly, the commitment we have to social media these days deprives us of learning the valuable lessons the world wants to teach us. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take pictures. Of course you should, when you go to an amazing place you want to capture the moment. But the hard part is knowing when to put the camera down and to simply capture the feeling. Here are some ways that you can do both.

Camera Usage

Don’t take pictures of everything you see. Many times people come back from a trip and can’t explain the significance of half their photos and they end up deleting them. Here’s a rule of thumb to know when you should and shouldn’t take a photo: If you don’t have a story to tell to go along with the photo, put the camera down.

Don’t take photos only for the purpose of showing them off and getting likes on social media. If you want to really capture the moment, take random photos of you and your friends/family in the hotel room or on the train. Take photos that will make you remember the feeling you had when you were in that moment.

Be an observer. You don’t need a photo of every meal you eat or every church you enter. Marvel at the beauty through observation.  

Tokens

Photos aren’t the only way to remember your journey. Bring home mementos from your trip like tickets, brochures, postcards, business cards (from hotels/restaurants), currency, etc.

Expression

If you’re like me and you like to journal, at the end of the day write down what happened. Don’t just jot down what you saw.  Discuss minor details that seem insignificant at the time. I promise, you will appreciate those memories later. For example, when I was in Italy I spent one afternoon at a Gelato Festival. In my journal I wrote, “We got to try 16 different flavors. Most of them were kinda gross but the ones I thought I would hate were actually the best. My favorite flavor was a combination of banana, lime, and ginger. It tasted like sherbert.” It has been a year since then and I barely remember the festival but when I read it back it puts a smile on my face because it brought back memories and feelings that I thought were gone.

The key to documenting travel in the most effective way is through feeling. When you’re not using your camera, notice where you are and how it makes you feel. Don’t hold back from the negative feelings either. Travel is sometimes brutal, but it’s supposed to be. Take it all in and observe everything. A popular phrase is “be present.” Being present is more than just not being on your cell phone. It’s fully immersing yourself in wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. And when you get back to your hotel at the end of the day, write it down, draw it out, however you can best express it, do that. I know I am being very vague so I will provide some personal examples from my own travel journal of what I mean.

“All the people I saw and met seemed to be so genuinely happy with so little.”

“Our gondoliers name was Antonio and he had lived in Venice his whole life.”

“I feel like when I am here, I am both happy and anxious simultaneously.”

“Auschwitz feels as if evil itself is sitting on your shoulders.”

If you’re staying in a country for several months or longer, a good way to document how you’re feeling is through a personalized Mood Tracker. This way, at the end, you can visually see your moods on a day by day basis.

Education

The most important way to capture your journey is through educating others. That doesn’t mean showing off where you went. It means providing insight and awareness to people who will never have the opportunity to experience what you did. This is especially important when you go to places that are misunderstood by the majority of the American population such as the Middle East or Africa. Sometimes it won’t be easy. Everyone has their own opinions but if you provide the facts, no one can argue. It’s about shedding light on conflict, oppression, and the rights of humanity. Only then can we bring any type of change.

Download our quick tip sheet on living in the moment and capturing it too here!

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Project Passport is a mental empowerment retreat and event company created to help women connect with one another and gain the tools to improve their lives in the best way possible. Each retreat experience has a unique theme with carefully designed activities to help participants grow and experience transformation. We are making mental wellness the norm, one retreat at a time. Learn more at project-passport.com.