disconnect from social media — At Travelnitch, we create opportunities for shared learning, so parents and children can explore the world together.
We deliver new and exciting experiences to encourage dialogue and provoke curiosity. For that reason, we have three primary goals: – Strengthen the bond between parent and child through a shared love of travel. – Forge a more meaningful connection between kids and the world around them. – Promote creative learning to inspire a lifelong passion for exploration.
disconnect from social media
Travel plays such an important role in our lives. It has the ability to change us for the better. It’s an experiential education that teaches us how to feel, think, act, and react in positive ways. Travel fosters creativity, builds confidence, and teaches us all to be more tolerant. My own kids benefit from travel every time we hit the open road. No amount of money can buy those life lessons.
Travelnitch is inspiring the next generation of explorers. We believe travel is a wonderful way to ignite the imagination and get kids excited about the world. However, we need your help to make this possible. Please spread the word and support our efforts to raise citizens of the world. Let’s go on this adventure together!
But disconnecting from the world could bring us closer.
Social media has always been a bit of a double-edged sword. It can provide a wonderfully unique opportunity to connect with those who share our beliefs, our fears, our interests. Likewise, is the soul-crushing reality that many others would prefer to cast judgment on those seeking such refuge during a difficult time.
Why are you so happy?
I belong to a solo travel group on Facebook. Several weeks ago it was brimming with positivity. Travelers shared breathtaking photos from their adventures abroad, inspiring others to live the dream. They reinforced my belief that the world is mainly good and beauty can be found anywhere.
Then came the dreaded C-19—a global event taking its toll on the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich, showing no mercy. Whether you believe it to be the sign of an impending apocalypse or merely a democratic conspiracy, the fear is real and pervasive, and it hurts.
A group that was once a source of strength and camaraderie for me, is now drowning in a sea of cruel commentary. Anyone with the gall to share a photo of their travels runs the risk of being chastised for being selfish and careless. It doesn’t matter that the photo was taken 5 years ago, or the person is hiking (alone) on their own private property. They are showing too many teeth and, as we all know, misery loves company.
Giving tragedy a purpose
Travel has become a dirty word, and that makes my heart ache.But perhaps this sudden call to disconnect from the world (a.k.a. social distancing) can serve a greater purpose than just self-preservation. If we take this opportunity to reflect on our own shortcomings, we have the potential to come together even stronger than before—as a digital world—in the aftermath.
For this to happen, though, we must first acknowledge that unconditional love and kindness from a stranger is an unreasonable expectation under the best of circumstances. We must forgive those personal affronts that threaten to bruise our fragile egos, offering up understanding at a time when primal instincts compel us to fuel the flames. It’s not easy, but it’s also not impossible.
As we all wade through the initial shock of our new (hopefully temporary) reality, I can see it taking form organically. Social media may finally be realizing its dream of becoming an online “community,” something it always claimed to be but never quite lived up to—from the teachers working hard to keep our kids educated to the many offers of help for families struggling to make ends meet. As ironic as it may sound, I have never felt a greater sense of community than this past week, while we sit at home alone.
Look for the good
This too shall pass and the world will find a way to heal. We will travel again.
I’d like to think this experiment in social distancing will help us all appreciate the true value of human connection. Perhaps it will empower us to find better and deeper ways to connect in this growing online community.
Whatever happens in this world where so much can go wrong (because humans are not perfect), I urge you to look for the good in people. Do that and you will undoubtedly find beauty anywhere you go.