Since we are seeing the end of the year, I have been reflecting on various aspects of my life. One thing that has stood out to me is my relationship with photography and the decision I have made to not take photos frequently. I have never been someone who takes a lot of photos. In fact, I often find myself deliberately choosing not to capture moments with my phone. This decision is not born out of a lack of appreciation for memories, but rather a conscious choice to fully immerse myself in the present experience. But also because I don't like taking photos. I do actually like looking at photos, just not taking them and definitely, not posting them on social media.

I don't hate my shape or anything, most of the time it doesn't even cross my mind to get my phone out and take a photo of myself. I don't feel the need to document every moment of my life for validation or approval from others. I don't even want to look into them later. I want to rely on my memory and attachments to the people and places I encounter. I know that it is inevitable that some moments will fade over time, but I am okay with that. I am also too lazy to take photos. I want to look back on my life and remember the feelings and experiences rather than a collection of images. And if I missed something then it is fine. It is a trade-off I am willing to make. It is a personal choice that works for me, and I respect that others may have different perspectives on the matter.

I usually go to some places where people take a lot of photos, I enjoy observing others capturing moments while I put my hands in my pockets and just walk around. It is not that I feel special, it is just that I don't want to look back on my life through a screen. I want to remember the smells, the sounds, the emotions that were present in those moments. And if I can't then that is okay too. I just feel sad looking at the old photos of people and places that I used to know. They are just a reminder of what once was, and what is now lost to time. But I don't blame the photos for that, it is just the nature of life. People change, places change, and memories fade. But I just don't feel that I need to carry this burden emotionally by taking photos.

I made up with the idea that life is transient and that it is okay to let go of certain moments. I leave places and people behind, and I am okay with that. A photo will not change that reality or make it any easier to accept. So I choose to live in the present, to cherish the moments as they come, and to let go of the need to capture everything. It is a personal choice that brings me peace and contentment, and I am grateful for that. It also helps a lot with both my phone specs during purchase and battery life during usage. Not to mention that I always go with the least storage option available since I don't take photos.