Is it really shocking though ? Even if we are in 2018 ? I know I know, I’m an asian millennial who doesn’t like technology that much. Thinking of it, it’s kind of weird. But for me, it was normal. And kind of freeing.
Let me explain. I didn’t grow up with all that alienating shit around me. My childhood was a normal one, where you play outside and your mom yells from the window to go back inside to eat. I didn’t grow up with technology. It was there, right beside me, growing and taking over the world. One amazing invention after another. But the thing was, since I knew what it was without it and I still know that people succeeded and succeed to live so long without it, why couldn’t I ?
I won’t lie and say that nowadays, it’s way more easier to get by with life having a device and wifi. Just looking at my trips this year, I have been traveling since last April, it would’ve have been way much easier with a phone for my bank problems and for cheaper ways to travel. BUT. I wouldn’t have met those incredible people who helped me. Yes, I am talking about you, wonderful woman in Malaysia, you know who you are plus, I wouldn’t have been certain of the strong bond that I have with Mariane and Amber. But that’s an other article.
As you look everywhere around you, people don’t look at each other anymore, they look everybody up on their phones, missing life passing behind their little screen. People stop communicating and interacting with human beings. Instead, they rather talk to a computer. Personally, I think that’s a shame. As I am not that warm of a person, even I understand that being surrounded by real beings is a gift and a learning experience. I grow to be more empathic to people sharing to me their stories, their hardships, their experiences in person. I fell more « connected » that way. Somehow, it makes me feel human.
From what I remembered from late high school when I got my first phone is that constant impatience to receive a news, any news from my friends to make me feel appreciated. How messed up is that ? How come the number of texts or calls you are receiving makes you feel loved ? Little to say that I grew out of it as quickly as I realized early on this, at the time, « new phase » was just not me. I like talking to people, see their faces and their expressions as I’m telling them something that I think is really interesting… And then realize… It’s really not. You all know what I mean. In other words, I like taking time to interact with the few people that I care about.
I won’t diss technology and say that it’s all bad because it’s not. As I’m fighting for the next chapter of my life to come true, meaning moving out of Europe for good, I don’t want to leave amazing people that see me grow behind. I feel like they are important to my journey and to my sanity. And they believe in me. So that’s that. So, in that way, I can keep them close to my life with devices, in a “more real” way that I do sending them letters.
Do you see what I’m saying ? Without those people crossing my path, coming into my life, I would not have become the young woman I am today and it’s because I shared moments with them. Real ones. The contact you have with people at a time of your life will never be replace by some things that you saw, are seeing or will see on a screen. And I’m telling you that writing on a computer and trying to tell stories doing movies.
Because it leads you to where you are today, it affects you to your core, bones and soul. Because meeting someone can change your life forever. And because real life may be more frightening to endure but so much more magical to live.
And that’s what I can’t live without. People. Not objects.
What about you ? What’s the thing you can or can’t live without ?
Travel Life With Vân 