Giant stage, dramatic lights, and amazing orchestra music. Right in the middle of it all, there she is, a total Diva striking her majestic pose. Her voice bewitched me. Like it’s straight from heaven. I can’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine. I feel touched and get lost in her songs, sometimes cry, sometimes just stunned there, sometimes I sing along whenever she sings my favorite songs. But as they say, all good things come to an end. The curtain falls, the lights go out, and she waves goodbye. I feel sad, but at the same time, I feel joy. I enjoyed the concert more than I expected, and it’s definitely one of those unforgettable experiences in my life.
Why do I enjoy it? It’s not just that she’s one of my favorite singers. I know I’ll be there when the time comes, no distractions whatsoever. I want to soak it all in, seeing everything with my own eyes, not just through my phone screen. It’s like when we go to the art exhibition. We will miss the point if we take a selfie with the art itself. Probably, if I’m busy taking a ton of photos or videos during her concert, I will miss a lot of details, like the beauty of her voice, the captivating sound of the music, and the vibe of all the people enjoying the show with me. Sure, I’ll probably still have a good time, but I’m pretty sure the experience feels way more intense when I’m fully present, just taking it all in with my eyes and ears wide open.
Let me ask you this question: When was the last time you enjoyed a concert with your eyes and ears wide open, not having distractions from your phone? Taking a phone call, sending messages, or taking a ton of pictures or videos to upload to our social media? When was the last time you watched a truly beautiful sunset without having the temptation to capture it with your phone? Or when was the last time you went on a family trip and just enjoyed the activities without having the urge to take pictures of your kids playing in the sand, or when have a fancy family dinner in an exotic city? Quite rare, isn’t it?
But relax, it’s not entirely your fault. In today’s world, sometimes it’s undeniable. The good news is you have the power to minimize it. Focus on the present moment: being fully present helps you connect more with people, place, and experiences. Enjoy what’s happening now instead of worrying about future memories. Instead of curating a moment, you live it. Ironically, putting the phone down helps you remember the moment better, your brain records it, not just your camera roll. A life filled with real moments, even if they’re not Instagram-worthy, is still wonderful. You don’t need to stress over angles, captions, likes, or how others will perceive it. It’s just you and the experience. Finding joy in things for what they are, instead of for social media, is freeing and more authentic. It’s genuine joy. So, stop treating every moment as content for your memory vault. Like it or not, one day you’ll be on your deathbed, and guess what? Your social media accounts will be permanently logged out.
I get it, taking a photo or two doesn’t necessarily ruin the moment. The key is intention. The question you have to ask yourself is: Are you capturing it as a keepsake, or are you stepping out of the moment to prove it happened? Answer it honestly. .
There’s nothing wrong with documenting life, but honestly, the most unforgettable memories are the ones you never posted or even took a picture of.
Love,
Kirana
