Category - Sri Lanka

2 articles
It has been ages since I last posted on here & since then I've lost 150 followers. But guess what? I don't care! In the end ones amout of followers is just a number that doesn't define us. With all the changes of the algorithm it doesn't even define the quality of our content. There are so many great photographers on here that write amazing captions and are amazing people. @thatwanderlustboho @lettersfromcaro and @motiontoroam just to list 3 accounts. All of them deserve way more followers as their content is amazing and more people should see it. But the fact that millions do not get to see their pictures and captions doesn't make them less great. I for one had to take a break from IG because the pressure I felt was too much. It felt like I HAD to past at a specific time so people would see my pictures. And like I had to engage with others for hours a day. It reached a point where most conversations just felt meaningless and forced. And I hated it. Initially I started posting because I wanted to share my pictures with you. Because I loved photography and as it brings me joy. Then it essentially became a job and obligation. It felt like I was trying to push my account in an unnatural direction. Like my captions no longer told my real story. It was like I lost my voice even as I was 'speaking'. This break and reflecting on what I did really helped me. My behavior was destructive and I was never satisfied. I started criticizing pictures I loved just because Instagram decided to limit the pictures' reach. But that stops now. I refuse to focus on numbers. It is great to receive likes & genuine comments, but that is where it has to stop. So from now on you get the real me. The goofy mess that prefers to be behind the lense instead in front of it. But also the woman that is continuously gaining confidence in her own abilities & pushing her limits. Somewhat that strives for her dreams and won't be silenced. And if you know that feeling of pressure I mentioned I can only encourage you to do what I did. Take a break. Reevaluate what you are doing. & then come back as 100% you. Every single one of us has a story to tell, so don't be afraid to tell yours
🌺 Do you have any tips for sustainability traveling? Do you agree with the caption? I care deeply for the environment and therefore I’m trying to live in sustainable life. But obviously people could argue that me traveling as much as I do doesn’t really help our planet and that I have an extreme carbon footprint. And if I’m being honest I have to admit that they are right about that. I try not to use single-use plastic items, pick up trash in nature, don’t buy clothes that I’ll only wear as long as they are a part of a recent collection, I limit how much meat I eat, where it comes from and how much resources were necessary to produce it. I do what I can to protect our planet and yet I travel excessively. Do you want to know why? 🌿 I have discovered that people are more likely to care about something if they’ve seen it themselves or in pictures - be it nature, culture or other human beings. And as a photographer and politics student that strives to see that world with open eyes and without prejudices, I want to show others things from around the world in hope that it’ll make them strive to protect our planet and all life on it. Furthermore traveling alone has been something that men have done for centuries while women around the world are held back from doing so to this day. I believe that being an example can help empower other to start exploring the world if they wish to do so, and hopefully I can only tell you explore the world and to visit places off the beaten track. Share the good and bad stories of your adventures while stressing how important it is to travel as sustainable as possible. Promote a global society without limitations based on gender, belief or other things that should never be the reason why people cannot do something. Make others care for our planet by sharing pictures of its wonders so those at home will follow our example. Educate other by telling them how to be a better and environmentally aware travel without betitling them. Do what you can and live the life of your dreams. All of you deserve it!
🌿 What do you do when traveling starts to stress you? I know that most people portray longer trips as this amazing time full of nothing but fun and amazing experiences, but let’s be honest... that’s not what it’s like! I’m currently 2 weeks into a longer trip and right now I’m so done with it. I honestly love traveling and exploring new places, but today I’m just not feeling it. Today’s been such a shitty day and if I’m being honest I have to admit that I’m kinda disappointed by central Vietnam. Keeping my finngers crossed that I’ll learn to love it. But in the end I might not. And that’s okay. Sometimes we end up exploring places we don’t love as mich as we thought. We have bad days. It’s all part of traveling. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. 😊
🌺 Let’s share our biggest travel mishaps A few years ago during my first solo trip outside of the European Union, I ended up missing my flight because I fell sleep at the hotel. I packed my suitcase a day before my flight because I want to do ensure that nothing could go wrong. I still remember beimg awake at 5 AM and decided to lie on the bed one last time as it was so nice before going down to the lobby to catch the airport shuttle. New thing I know it was waking up a few hours later and there was no way to get to the airport on time. 🌿 (I’ll let you know how I managed to get home in the next caption) 🙈
🔺 Have you ever lived abroad? Tag your friends that you met abroad and share some memories. :) Back in 2017 I had the amazing chance to move to Sydney for a semester. It was an eye-opening experience and I learned more than I thought possible. I grew as a person and dared to do things I had only dream of doing. I drove thousands of kilometers to explore the country, learned to surf and to dive. Living abroad changed my life. It was incredibly rewarding and I can only recommend you to venture out as well if you haven’t done so already.
🔺How has traveling changed you? When I first set out to explore I felt lost and didn’t know how important it was to take a step back and to enjoy a moment. My life felt incredible rushed and I wasn’t content with my life. It was only during one of those moments while on vacation where I was sitting at a beach and looking at the sunset that I realized that this was something I actually needed- a few minutes every single day where I could just let my mind wander and allow myself to live in the now, without worrying about tomorrow. It’s something I try to do every day as this small moment of peace and quite helps me stay positive. I can only recommend that you try to do the same. ———————————————— This beautiful sunset I saw at Cable Beach, Broome (@westernaustralia ) in the amazing @thekimberleyaustralia region is one of the sunsets I look back on when I want to relax during a stressful day. It’s a definite happy place and a wonderful memory.
🔻What do you love the most about traveling? For me it is getting out there, meeting new people and learning something about different cultures. Strangers become friends and we realize that the things that divide us don’t matter. In the end of the day we are the same. All of us are trying to live the best life we can. All of us are looking for happiness. And all of us live on this amazing planet. So don’t just pay attention to what makes those you have yet to meet different but on what can be the basis of an amazing friendship once you meet them. - #natgeo100contest
🔻 What has travelling taught you? For me it was that you should mever let the odds stop you from doing what you dream of doing. It‘s so crucial to never give up on your dream. Use them as a motivation to go on when the sky is full of clouds and a thunderstorm is forming ahead of you.
🔺 What was the most challenging thing you’ve done while traveling? My biggest challenge in recent months was to start hiking again after I messed up my knee. The biggest challenge was convincing myself that I could do it. And when I saw the view over the the Lysjefjorden I was more than glad that I dared to tackle Preikestolen as my first hike of 2018. It was amazing to be back in nature and to explore this amazing country and I am more than looking forward to returning there. #OspreyWomen