I went with Mia to the Oregon coast today. My dear friend Jenn told me about this place called Tunnel Beach, where during a low tide you enter a ‘hidden’ beach through a tunnel. It sounded like a great adventure.
A whole day was absolutely spectacular! Going through the tunnel was fun and exciting, we found so many treasures – crabs, mussels, shells, rocks. Huge rock formations in the ocean, fantastic views, teepees build out of giant trunks, mystical fog around us…and I took zero photos. I could say that I wanted to be technology free, be in the moment and just try how does it feel to experience everything without thinking of recording every single moment…without thinking of insta stories and fun content…No, the reason is stupid and simple – I forgot my phone…
But the effect it made on me gave me sooo many thoughts…
Firstly, I was so annoyed. I wanted to go back to the car to pick it up, but we were already 20 min walk in, and the tide was reaching the lowest point. I was anxious, frustrated, I imagined making this video of going through the tunnel, capturing the magic, documenting this great day…and suddenly I had to face my own…vanity? No phone, no pictures.
Ok, I can do it, I can go through a day without it! Wow, it was hard. My hand was immediately trying to find my phone every time I saw something beautiful, and it was constantly! Mia and Chaplin were having so much fun! They were running through the waves, the water was freezing, but Mia was jumping, laughing, having time of her life. She climbed rocks, she made stick castles, she found so many shells and rocks. We found the biggest mussels I’ve ever seen! Bigger than my hand! The rocky coast was with mist and fog was gorgeous, I was constantly thinking, how come I cannot capture any of that.
And then, little by little, the anxiety and frustration was slowly leaving my body. And suddenly I felt a relief. A relief of not having to document any of that. A relief of not needing to hold an extra object in my hand and thinking about best moments, and best framing and light and nothing. And I felt that this imposed restriction was such a good sign for me. It showed me how difficult it is to leave behind something that you love doing so much. And that the same thing that brings you so much happiness and satisfaction, can also be a prison.
It is not that obvious, but it becomes obvious when you suddenly cannot access it, and you realize how much you’re attached to it. How much it determines the way you think, spend time and go through your day. I was having ideas about this day through the filter of instagram. I was mad that I will not be able to share it with my family and friends. How much does the act of taking pictures or documenting affect our adventures, our lives? Would that be different had I taken the phone with me? Maybe. Maybe that constant distraction would have not allowed me to see and experience some things that I actually did. Maybe I would focus on different places and moments. Maybe I would try to do something that I didn’t in the end. Also, all the time I was trying super hard to remember. I was focusing so much on Mia’s face and her emotions, I was more attuned to all the range of my own emotions, I guess that also is the definition of being present?
It was such a fun day. I’m so glad for this experience. After frustration comes liberation that is so much worth waiting for.
When I entered the car, I didn’t even want to grab my phone. I didn’t feel the need for anything that was waiting there.
Writing all this down feels so good though.
