I always tell my friends and clients before they leave for their vacations that I better get some pictures from their trips. If I can't be traveling myself, I want to live vicariously through the fun of others. Truth is, we started a travel blog and travel agency because we wanted to help others see the world and go on adventures. I love planning someone's dream trip.
Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same joy of others' happiness as I do. There is an epidemic of jealousy, discontentment, and misery among the social media rank and file. Let me be clear, if I wasn't in marketing or the lines of work I am in, I really don't think I would be on social media. It breeds the type of toxic behavior that I'm writing about today. What I love about social media is seeing the prosperity, success, happiness, and lives of friends I don't see daily.
I mentioned this in my last Sunday Supposition blog; Audrey and I tend to get the occasional snide remark made to us over our travels. "Must be nice!" people often say to us. I hate that comment. If you've said that to me, know I didn't appreciate it. That phrase is coated in disdain for our happiness. Our lifestyle. Our happiness. And our success. Anyone can travel. People just choose not to. Read last week's Sunday Supposition for more on that topic.
If you genuinely care about someone, you'll care about their prosperity, happiness, and activities. I love following along with the travels of others on social media. I'm happy for them, and I also learn from them. I see things they did, read their comments on their likes/dislikes, and take comfort in knowing there's fun to be had outside our regular routine.
I find it hard to understand why anyone would genuinely feel upset by seeing someone else's vacation photos. Sure, people can use social media to brag and portray an image of themselves that may or may not be accurate. But that's their problem. We make travel posts for two reasons:
We are travel agents, and it's marketing.
We want to share our travels so others can share in our fun.
We want to share our experience for the benefit of others.
We never post to brag. I don't care what others think. If you think that about us, you don't know us very well. I give others this same benefit of the doubt.
When you see the photos of your "friends'" travels, it's time for a good, long look in the mirror if it upsets you. Why are you angry? What does the happiness of others hurt you? And why do you care so much if someone might be boasting?
If you are indeed a friend, you'll want to see the fun they had on their trips.
Friends of ours, you better keep those photos coming. We expect it...
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