Sharing is caring. I’ve heard this saying everywhere and in our current world where sharing seems inevitable, this saying is now very relevant.
But as a generation Y - they said - I don’t find myself as a person who likes to share things that much over the internet. I do share photos over my Facebook and Instagram, but to share in detailed experiences doesn’t sound like my thing.
But that’s until October 2018. I started to go on one of my most awaited trip to Japan. I realized that as I strolled around and activated my maps, they often offered me to leave a review to my current visited places. It started with one, two, then five reviews, mostly just quick reviews. Until I realized that there are places that needs to be recognized by more people, simply because they’re worth to visit. It can either be hidden gem places or tourist main attractions - and it’s fine.
Then I started to leave few sentences and until now I try my best to put efforts to write in longer sentences and more descriptive. And I honestly enjoy it! I’ve found myself that Google maps is more than just a review. It’s a footprint and it helps you to trace many good things in different places. It guides you to know new places - what’s in it and what makes it special. And even if there’s nothing much special about, it still matters, cause you can help people to discover this place and they may have different point of view.
Good thing about Google Maps is that I can definitely go back to some of my favorite places back when I have not discovered anything about Google Maps. I can simply pin point my past experiences and write down my reviews.
One of my most enjoyable writing experiences in Google Maps is my review about Mata Jitu waterfall. This well-known waterfall was once visited by Lady Diana and yet I only found few people who wrote review about it. So I found the chance to share almost my full experience when I was there. Cause I believe this mesmerizing place should be discovered by others (without exploiting this place too much).
Having these experiences, I realize that Google Maps is more than just writing reviews. It’s beyond that. Not only compiling people’s opinion, but also actually changing them into further action. It can help directing you to discover new things that perhaps very hard to find if you ask people on the street. As a new Local Guide, I’m still trying to figure out of how much I can contribute myself to this community and even better to my own hometown and/or country. But I believe as long as I do not stop writing, I can still help these small business to be unveiled, those street artists to get exposure, or these restaurants to be tasted.
And as new Local Guide, I would love to learn from others - those who far more experienced than me in potentially Google Connect Live 2019. Cause now I believe sharing is caring and a little bit too much of sharing won’t hurt as long as it’s fruitful for many, right? ?