THE ART OF MEMORY BY CHANDLER MAAS
Lately, we have become obsessed with creating and preserving “memories”. In the age of social media, marketable memories have become more profitable than ever. How many Snapchat stories have you seen of a plane wing or a fruity drink on a foreign beach? When we travel, we want to share our experiences. We post photos on multiple platforms and spend countless hours putting just the right filters over original images. Although it is logical to want to share your travels, it can be emancipating to stop documenting every moment of a trip. Do you know the feeling when a camera just can’t capture a view like your eyes can? The photo’s depth is lacking and everything seems dull. While there’s nothing wrong with creating a collection of pixels that can be revisited, observing your surroundings in the moment can bring a great sense of satisfaction. The photos we take serve as visual reminders that can inspire and uplift us. But they also distract us and pitch us into a future time frame. When should I post these photos? What filter will I use? How many likes will I get? Putting the camera down allows travelers to return to the present moment. There is a unique peace in traveling without constantly documenting. Time flows, life seems more vivid, and other senses are heightened. When I travel without documenting, I find myself remembering smells and emotions much more. Our brain is built to preserve our memories; turning on your phone or camera can interrupt this process. The natural art of remembering makes your memories more strongly evocative and colorful. I believe that not capturing every moment makes a journey yours. By not sharing everything, you have stories to tell when you return. You contain panoramic views that belong to you and you alone. No one will ever know about how wonderful that market was, but you will. These secrets, these personal recollections are yours alone. Photographs are beautiful, but so is real life.
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