All my life, I've loved looking at pictures. As a little kid, I always wanted my mom to take pictures of me and my friends so later I could look at them. There's nothing I love more than putting up pictures in my apartment, or sitting and looking at pictures on my phone. The only problem is, I hate taking pictures.

There's a few reasons why I hate taking pictures and pretty much refuse to do so. I've been in New Zealand for about a month or so and I keep getting texts from friends and, mainly my mother, saying, "Post pictures!!" I almost want to scream when people say that to me.

First, New Zealand is the most beautiful place I have ever set eyes on. Taking a picture to actually capture the pure beauty of it is simply impossible. No picture could ever give you the sensation I felt when I finally made it to the top of a steep mountain and looked out to see the entire city, or the little-kid happiness I feel when I see sheep and cows run around the pastures. I have seen the brightest stars, and it would take me hours to find the right setting on my camera to actually show how beautiful the sights are.

The thing about taking pictures is that sometimes it takes away from the moment. Instead of constantly trying to capture the moment so I can show it to others on social media, I just soak it all in for myself. We, as a society, are obsessed with showing off our lives on social media, and we do so with an overload of pictures.

When I'm on top of a mountain, or at a concert on a warm summer night, I would rather enjoy the view and enjoy the moment. I try to take it all in instead of spending all that time trying to capture the perfect picture.

Yes, I absolutely love pictures, but sometimes it's nice to put your phone away and enjoy life. You'll get frustrated and you'll regret always trying to take the perfect picture to show other people. Sure, it's not a bad thing to sometimes take out your phone and snap a picture of the view, but remember to put it back in your pocket and enjoy the moment. Take it all in; that moment. The way you are feeling in that moment will never happen again.