9 life lessons I learned as a travel blogger – Travel Confessions Part III
By Jeremy Branham on Jul 08, 2012 with Comments 78
I am a private person. I don’t discuss a lot of what I am thinking or feeling with many people. However, I’ve bared my travel soul. A little over a year ago, I shared my travel confessions and some tough life lessons I learned from traveling.
I spoke honestly about my travel flaws and shortcomings. I admitted there are things I don’t like when I travel. I don’t have it all together.
I was surprised when other travelers bared their souls and shared their travel confessions as well.
People have said they admire me because I am able to juggle a full time job, a blog, travel, and family. I wrote the Elmer Fudd guide on how to balance life as another confession about how bad I am at doing this.
So why am I sharing more travel confessions? Because I learned some important lessons about life.
Baring my soul – my travel story
Last week, I shared my travel story. It’s been filled with ups and downs, high and lows, life lessons, and learning experiences.
Honestly, my life is boring. I like comfort and security. Routine is my friend. Familiarity breeds contempt for some. For me, familiarity breeds content(ment).
Travel seems like the antithesis to my way of life. However, it stirs my passion, emotions, and cultural yearnings. Travel has allowed me to become a different person.
Travel has exposed pieces of my soul that I never knew existed, like buried treasure that was lost and now found. Travel has helped me conquer my demons, shatter misconceptions about who I am, and see that some things I believed about myself weren’t true.
In the last few years, I’ve gone from traveler to travel blogger in an attempt to share, encourage, and inspire those who love to travel. Now my travel blogging has taught me some important life lessons.
9 life lessons from a travel blogger
I write to inspire, educate, and entertain people. I want people to connect with their travel experiences and see the world in a different way.
Sometimes I write so others can learn from my failures, mistakes, and flaws.
These travel confessions are different than the others. Here are life lessons I’ve learned from travel blogging.
Life Lessons #1 – Know who you are
May you live in a way you can't help but smile
As a blogger, there is nothing worse than not knowing what you are about. We call it an elevator pitch. Mine had too many ups and downs. I never knew what floor I was on.
I’ve got an about me and getting started page. Both of those will change.
After writing for a few years, who I am as a traveler has evolved. My upcoming travels now include a sports and travel series that’s bigger than ever – the College Football Travel Tour. Obviously, sports and travel are passions of mine but there is more to me than that. I am finding my identity.
A great example of travelers finding their identity is the story of Dave and Deb from The Planet D. The travels and trials in their relationship helped them find their bliss.
Life Lessons – Don’t live to please others. Live a life that helps others become better people by being the person you were created to be.
Life Lessons #2 – Be open to change
Be open to change - you might like what you find underneath
As I’ve gotten older, my perspective has changed. Sometimes my experiences have taught me new things. Sometimes it’s a matter of growing up and maturing. Other times my circumstances have given me a different point of view.
I love sports but I never wanted to write about them. I wanted to write travel tips and destination stories (and I do). Two years later, I sat in the first row of the end zone at the Army – Navy football and thinking Annapolis feels like home. My travel focus was changing.
Keith Savage wanted to share his stories as he traveled the world. One day, things completed changed. Now he shares stories about his travels in Scotland.
Life Lessons – Life happens. We grow and change. Know who you are but be open to becoming someone even better.
Life Lessons #3 – Make priorities in your life and stick to them
Spend time with people that matter, create memories
This is probably my worst travel confession. With my travel writing, I get overwhelmed with all that I have to do. I become obsessive about the blog and spend more time on it than I should. Is it the top priority in my life? No.
However, my life doesn’t reflect that. I was reminded of that recently. I’ve had to change my priorities a little. I am still bad at it. However, I am getting better.
Life Lessons – How you spend your time tells you what your priorities are. Spend your time on the things that matter most.
Life Lessons #4 – Learn to say no
May seem like a good idea at the time but know when to say no
As a travel blogger, I get opportunities to do things – advertisements, products, trips, guest posts, pitches. My mailbox isn’t full of these. Some of these fit who I am and some don’t.
I love to be wanted and I like it when others are interested in what I do. However, not every opportunity makes sense for me.
If you are true to yourself and live your life according to your priorities, you need to know when to say no. A good opportunity isn’t the right opportunity if you do it to please someone else.
Sherry Ott walked one of the greatest pilgrimage trails in the world – the Camino de Santiago. Like many on this path, she had some time examine her life. She learned to stop paying attention to everyone else and be true to herself and her audience – even if that meant saying no.
Life Lessons – Learn to say no to some opportunities so you can say yes to focusing on the things that matter most.
Life Lessons #5 – Schedule your time
Have a plan, follow good advice, and stick to a schedule
I’m not good at this. I’m unorganized and lack focus. I spend time on Twitter, write, check Facebook, check email, read blogs and comment, check Twitter and Facebook again. The pattern continues.
Then I wonder why I never get anything done. Time management is not my strength. Organization is not something I do well. I need to set aside time in my day to write, read, network, and email.
I am getting a little better at it. There are time management tips for bloggers, adults who want a healthy, balanced life, and kids who need time management tips for school.
What does that balance look like? How do you deal with the pressures of life, this thing in the US called the “American Dream”, and your own desires? Caz from yTravelBlog talks openly about finding a balance between life, dreams, and travel.
Life Lessons – Plan your time so you can get things done. Always schedule time for fun. Most importantly, schedule time with people that matter.
Life Lessons #6 – Do what you love
As a kid, it was easy to do what you love
Another travel confession from a travel blogger – I write about things I don’t want to write about. Why? Because it’s good for Google, it’s news, and it will get me in the headlines.
You will do things you don’t want or like. Welcome to life!
What do we do with the time we have? What do we want to do more of if we had more time?
I’m not telling you to quit your job, end your relationships, and go travel the world to find the answer. The solution is much easier. Do what you love. Find what it is that inspires you.
Spend a few minutes doing something you enjoy. Maybe it’s just a hobby. Maybe you start a new career.
Do something you enjoy that makes you a better person.
In 2003, Matt Kepnes quit his job to travel the world. He quit the American Dream. He started living his own dream. Maybe that isn’t your dream. Expedia says it best – “Find Yours.”
Life Lessons – Find something you love and do it. Do what you love so that you become a better person – for yourself and the people around you.
Life Lessons #7 – Don’t procrastinate
Don't miss opportunities - like meeting a legendary Gamecock Quarterback
Want to go on a trip? Do it. Want to tell someone you love them? Say it. Keep putting something off thinking you will do it later? Stop that.
Here’s another travel confession – 95% of all the posts I write are written that same day or the night before. Because I procrastinate, my blog suffers.
My stories aren’t as good when I wait so long to tell them. Many of my stories happened weeks, months, or years ago. The details fade. My recollection of the events changes. I lose the connection to the story.
My posts are just stories about travel. I forget things, miss other opportunities, or lose the connection. However, those same things cost you a lot more when it’s your life and not a travel story.
Life Lessons – Procrastinate on things that don’t matter. Don’t miss the opportunities, people, and moments that matter because you waited too long.
Life Lessons #8 – Don’t give up
Don't give up!
I’ve quit travel blogging six times now. Life was too busy. I was burned out. So I quit.
The longest stretch was 6 weeks. Other times it was a few weeks. People think traveling and writing is a never ending vacation. Add a full time job to that, a family, and other commitments, and it can be overwhelming.
Being a travel blogger is hard. Kate McCulley gives an honest, candid look at life as a professional travel blogger.
Do what you love. Be true to who you are. And persevere.
Life Lessons – Don’t ever give up. We all need people in our lives to help us. Embrace them, love them, help them, and keep going.
Life Lessons #9 – Tell your story
We all have a story to tell
As I writer, I am nothing without words. This is one area where I want to improve the most. I want to tell a story with all five senses. I will be a great travel writer when I learn to write a great story.
My words are meant to inspire, contemplate, and encourage. However, my travel stories have a limited reach and audience.
However, your story can change people’s lives.
Regardless of who you are, what you do, or where you live, you have a story that can touch people’s lives each and every day. Find your story. Understand where you came from and where you want to go. You get one shot at this. Make it count.
Spencer Spellman tells his story. It’s not your story. However, he will inspire you to live a story worth telling.
Life Lessons – Don’t write a story. Live a story. Make your life count and use it to inspire, love, and encourage others.
Sometimes travel confessions lead to some important life lessons.
When success is failure
I don’t want to be a success. I don’t want to be a travel blogger. I don’t want these things if I am not a better person to the people that matter.
Life lessons. Travel confessions.
Know who you are. Spend time with the people that matter. Do what you love if it makes a better person for it. Write your story. Make a difference in the world.
What are your travel confessions and life lessons?
 |
|
Filed Under: Featured • Traveling Thoughts
I'm Jeremy Branham and I love to travel. Check out my travel stories, guides, sports travels, and adventures.
GREAT post Jeremy! I agree with all of these lessons and have gone through many challenges and struggles learning them. I have been really struggling of late and took a mini- break this weekend to just focus on other priorities. I am feeling a little refreshed. But I know I am doing what I love so I will never quit permanently. BAck on the horse we go!
P.S Thanks for linking to my post!
I do those as well. Breaks are a good thing. That keep me from quitting altogether! I need to take some time off as well and when I do, I tend to come back refreshed. Maybe if I was a little more balanced, I wouldn’t have this need to take the breaks. I do love what I do as well but I need to do it better than what I am doing.
Oh man, I can’t tell you how much respect I have for people like yourself who successfully juggle a full time job, family life, blogging and travelling.
The “Do what you love” lesson really resonates with me. Only recently I stopped writing blog posts about what I think others want to read.
Now I’m writing things that I like to write, that I would enjoy reading and in a style that I think is good.
It took me a while to realise it, but when you’re being creative you should be a total dictator about it and bow to no one. I want to do it for myself or not at all.
Awesome post!
Rich recently posted..My emotional attachment to flip flops
When it comes to writing, you do have to write about what you love rather than pleasing others. Maybe you could be more popular if you wrote what others wanted to hear. However, what defines success and an audience? You want people to love the things you love and have as much passion for it as you do.
However, do what you love applies to anything in life. You don’t have to do it for a living. Just make sure you find time to do the things you love and spend time with the people that matter. In that regard, it comes back to priorities.
Be creative, be yourself, and pursue your passion. Do it so you can become the best person you can be! Good luck and thanks for sharing your thoughts Rich.
By the way, I hate flip flops so I can’t really relate to that at all
Some great lessons here. It’s really amazing the things you glean from traveling. It’s so transformative. Thanks for mentioning me!
Spencer Spellman recently posted..A Photo Essay of Sonoma Wine Country
Thanks Spencer. I always admire your stories and think connecting with people in real life or through writing is one of the keys to enjoying a fulfilled life.
Hey Jeremy,
Although these are your confessions, I’m sure many people (including me) are guilty of doing. It’s great to learn from these mistakes and you, with this article, help in the process.
I’d like to add my own confession here and contribute to the topic, i.e. never regret your decisions (unless they harmed somebody).
Sometimes I’m guilty of thinking that my life would have been so much better if I chose another path at some point. Then the realisation comes – if I chose another path I would probably regret not choosing this one. Instead, it’s better to focus on the bird in hand.
The important lesson is to accept what happened, live the day and look forward to the future.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” by Mark Twain.
Cheers,
Cez
Cez recently posted..Advantages of self-hosted WordPress
Thanks for the comments Cez. I have to admit I play the “what if” game a lot in my life. Normally I do it when things are going well. I guess I just want things to be better so I think if things were different they would be better.
As for the Twain quote, I think that is part of it for me. I can’t say I regret the things I have done. I just regret the things I didn’t do. There are a lot of paths I could have taken in life, more risks. I have no idea how my life would have changed if I had done those things. I never will know. However, it’s hard to not ask the “what ifs” though. Maybe asking them reflects more on my current state of life than it does on what really would have happened.
I guess that is something for me to think about. Thanks for your life lesson. This one is a little harder for me though.
What a wonderful set of life lessons that you have compiled. I am continuously working on #4, saying “no”. For some reason I keep thinking that there are enough hours in the day to say “yes” to everything
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..My First Pintxos Experience | 9 Toothpicks
Thanks Annette. Saying no has gotten a lot easier lately just because I don’t have time. I wish there were more hours in a day. Most importantly, I need to learn to say yes to the right things in the right order.
These are great, Jeremy, and it is awesome you’ve written about them so people can learn lessons from them as well.
Erik recently posted..New Zealand- Chapter Four: The Secret of Dunedin
Thanks Erik. Glad you enjoyed the lessons. Do you relate to any of these in particular? I know you have to juggle a lot of plates as well.
It’s so nice to hear another blogger struggle with the same things I struggle with: getting a story done immediately so the details don’t fade, etc. Thanks for this very honest post.
Oh if you only knew how long I wait on posts (months) and how the details can fade. And when you are getting old like me, the details are forgotten so much quicker!
It’s great that somebody out there in the travel blogging world will admit that they’re not perfect! Sometimes it seems to me that everyone else on the road is young, beautiful, outgoing and so much cooler than me. And it’s even worse when travel bloggers photoshop their public image: present themselves in this really slick, “don’t you wish you were me” kind of way. When I’m the kind of traveler that stumbles constantly and just muddles through and every little thing I manage to do right seems like a massive victory. I can’t relate to the too-cool-for-school crowd. I know they’re just doing it because they have the same insecurities as everyone else, but it still puts me off.
People who are willing to admit their flaws are far more interesting to read about.
Well I am not young, beautiful, and definitely not always outgoing. I think there are a lot more introverted travelers than you think. I like photoshopping though because it makes the photo look better. I don’t have a problem making myself look real. More importantly, I like to write in a way in which I share my real side. I’ve got lots of flaws – more than I even care to write about. However, I wrote this in hopes that people can relate and it will help them.
In the end, I hope sharing my experiences – either travel or life – can encourage others, inspire to them to change, or think about the way they live their lives. We are all different but some of our issues and struggles are common. Hopefully you find that there are plenty of people that you can relate with as well.
Amazing post, Jeremy! It’s funny how we are all the same in one way or another.Wherever we are, we have the same needs and thoughts.I really admire your honesty and your attempts to make things better.Great job!
Miruna recently posted..Tumblr Blogs, The Latest Trend In Blogging
I think you summed it up perfectly Miruna. Regardless of what we do, I think we all need these same things. That’s why I hope these life lessons resonate with a lot of people. I know I need to do a better job of implementing these in my own life.
Do what you love! That is so important to being happy in life. So often I see folk toiling away because they can’t see another way through life, and yet, change isn’t always as hard as we make it out. We all have the power in ourselves to live the lives we want to live. We owe it to our one shot at the life game to live the best way we can! (Buddhists get it easier in this respect..)
Laurence recently posted..Capture the Colour Photo Contest
Doing what you love is important. However, I do think there are some limits to this. If what you love means not being able to provide for those you love, what do you choose? It’s not always easy to do what you love. However, I wrote that with a little more in mind that just a career. It goes back to the priorities thing. If people enjoy hobbies, time with friends and family, or certain activities, then they need to make sure they spend time doing those things. Even if you work at something you don’t like in order to provide for others, make sure you find time to do things you do like also. It’s important in life. We all need that.
I can see how you get burned out with all the things you juggle. The amazing thing is you do everything so well.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Teva bomber flips give mobility to the awkward flip flop
Eh maybe. Thanks though. Maybe I do a lot of the blog things well but maybe not stuff outside of that.
I love all of your lessons here, but was struck by how much your schedule (FB check, Tweet, write, blog, comment) looks like mine. In fact..I am in the middle of a million things right now and commenting here…looks like our focus/organization need some help, too!
Jess | GlobetrotterGirls recently posted..Notes from the beach house | Week One
OK I admit I multi-task a lot. And I may be wrong by saying this but I think it is actually a negative thing. I think we do it too much. I know I do but then that means less attention to any particular task. This is even worse if we try to multi-task with people. That’s when I need to step back and focus on priorities. Get a schedule, more structure, and make sure I spend more time with the people that matter.
Loved this post and the thoughtful responses! I’ve definitely struggled with the no procrastinating over the years. I’ve seen firsthand how short life can tragically be, so I’ve had this insatiable desire to see the world and to see it now. But, at the same time as I’ve grown older I’ve wanted to establish roots and when you’re doing that you can’t be taking off in the air constantly. Still trying to find the elusive balance!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Guest Post: Four Best Summer Concerts
That definitely has to be a tough struggle. I think it’s one that many people deal with as they get older. “Settling down” may be a bad word for travelers but I think there is something about us that does enjoy it. I know not everyone will do it but it’s hard to be nomadic for life. As we grow older, what we like, desire, and want changes and evolves. Balance is the key.
I like the life I have. I don’t want to be a full time traveler (although traveling part time and getting paid full time would be awesome!). However, I just need the balance the life I have a little better. I think that is true for everyone in life, whether you travel or write about travel. We need that balance and to make sure we spend time on the things that matter to us. As we grow and change, the things that matter may chance so we constantly have to assess our balance in life and boundaries.
I think this is my fave post of yours, Jeremy! I see all of those things in my life too. I quit my job like Nomadic Matt did, I think travel blogging is not easy but I still try to do what I love the most … And I am very bad with my time scheduling too… right now writing, checking out emails, on fb and twitter
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..WHAT SHOULD CHANGE TO MAKE IT EASY FOR TRAVELERS
Thanks Alex. Multi-tasking is fun and comes easy but not necessarily the most efficient and best quality approach. I hope I get better at all of this stuff. I need more structure to help me get things done. Once I do that, I think I will get better at this whole blogging and life balance thing. Granted, I still have a lot of other things to work on as well – as evidenced by all the lessons I’ve learned.
I am lucky I do not have a job, so I can be disorganized and get away with it, mostly! I think you must be pretty organized to have a full time job, family and blog!
jan recently posted..Townsville 400 V8 Supercar Race
Well I am hardly organized at all. I like to think I am but honestly I am not. I tend to get a lot of things done but I could do it much more efficiently than I do. It would give me more time on the things that matter, including more sleep
You are right Jeremy. Being more organized would lead to more sleep and a more structured approach would certainly take the pressure off in our lives.
We will all take something away from your post that we can work with to help us. I guess what I was saying is that you do get a lot done!
jan recently posted..Fantastic Friday – Ceriana, Liguria, Italy
Such a thoughtful post. #3 really resonated with me. It’s easy to spend time on stupid stuff and then not have enough time for the things that really are important. After traveling almost nonstop in June, I’ve learned that I can travel too much, so need to find a better balance as well.
Laurel recently posted..Bayreuth: The City of Culture, Palaces and Beer
In all of my travels, I’ve realized I don’t want to be a full time traveler. I like having a place to call home. I may not be a full time traveler but I enjoy the travel time that I have. Granted, all of this takes up a lot of time and I don’t always balance things very well. Now that I realize these things, I just need to do a better job of putting them into practice.
Jeremy, excellent writeup. I think your last statement is the most important one: don’t just write a story, live one! Cheers and keep up the good work.
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..When the Winery Comes to You – Frog’s Leap Wine Tasting
We may not be the most popular but our story (lives) will always affect someone. Even if it’s just a few important people close to us, we need to live a life that matters.
Life Lessons #10 – Make friends offline
A travel bloggers’ life (other than travelling) is mostly online: writing, posting, answering emails, interacting on social media. Remember to make friends offline, too! In fact, Jeremy, the reason we keep in touch is because of meeting at TBEX’11 in Vancouver, right? Getting to know each other in person is what keeps us in touch online, where we only talk in 140 characters or in short snippets here and there. But that networking in person is what connects travel bloggers beyond just their online presence.
Lori Henry recently posted..The Reasons We Travel… and How They Change (Us)
I definitely try and do that in my life. Maybe I don’t do it enough but I actually am a quiet, introverted type. I don’t need a lot of friends in my life but I have learned the importance of connection and how much it really does help me in life. I am glad there are events like TBEX and traveling in general that helps us make those connections. When you connect and spend time with others, there is something special about that.
This is definitely a lesson that deserves to be there so thank you for sharing this. One good thing about these lessons is that they can apply to everyone’s life – not just travelers. We all need priorities, balance, to know ourselves, be open to change, etc.
“We all need priorities, balance, to know ourselves, be open to change, etc.” Absolutely!
Awesome life lessons and ones that everyone can learn, not just bloggers! Congrats on finding them all out
Cole @ Four Jandals recently posted..Creating the perfect tourist attraction – Cinque Terre Photo Essay
Discovering is just the first step. Now I need to implement them!
Good stuff, Jeremy. Thanks for the link, too.
Thanks Keith. You are the perfect example of being open to change and going in a new direction. It’s not what you planned but you are now focused on a place that is dear to you. I love reading about Scotland from you.
Wonderful lessons, and so true!
Thanks for having the courage to share the difficulties you faced, and conclusions you’ve made. I’m sure many of us have similar problems, but are afraid to admit and cope with them.
I came upon your blog by chance, but will subscribe to it now. Wish you all the best!
Thank you Svetla. I think many people can relate to these regardless of where they are or what they are doing in life. It’s a challenge to all of us. I can’t say I do these very well but I hope I can get better as I apply these to my life.
I am not at all a religious person and so it’s a long time since I said “Amen to that” so many times! I’ve been saving your post for a few days so I could really take it all in, and at almost every point found myself empathizing! I’m going to keep it to remind myself that I am not alone in procrastinating, being disorganized or spending too much time on social media! It helps the fight if you know you’re not alone, so glad you posted this. Oh, and, just keep on doing what you’re doing, because it’s all great stuff!
Linda recently posted..Hiking Surprises: San Miguel to La Centinela, Tenerife
Thank you Linda. I am sure many people can identify with this one. I don’t think you have to be a traveler or blogger to relate to some of these life lessons. I can’t say that I do all of these well but hopefully I can get a little better.
Thanks for the encouragement. There are days I just feel like quitting. It can be overwhelming at times so I am glad that there are people that understand.
I’ll add to what a lot of others are saying. These are things we all struggle with. It is often good to see how others struggle and deal to help make a plan for ourselves.
The balance is a hard thing to hit right. And once hitting it it takes energy to keep it there. I feel really overwhelmed sometimes of late. Tired enough to fall asleep on my bike almost. But I do enjoy the blogging in some form or another, so I keep with it. I just started a new site and it is really fun to have a blank slate to play around with. It is more frustrating to not have the traffic and feedback, but I am having fun.
Hope we all find our balance and our love in doing what we do.
Andrew recently posted..From Goreme to Izmir: Fast Decisions
Yes, we all have our own unique situations in life. We’re busy. It’s the day and age we live in. So my situation may be unique to me but it makes sense many can identify with what I am saying. I hope people beyond travelers and bloggers can relate to this as well.
I know what you mean about being tired. That happens every day for me. Every few weeks, I get sick and have to slow down. It’s hard to keep a good balance.
Such a great post, Jeremy! These all really resonate, but especially saying no and not procrastinating.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Dublin’s Medieval Architecture
Glad you liked them Christy. I am sure many people can relate to these regardless of where they are or what they do. Now I need to work on doing these better.
Some great advice. Thanks for sharing. As someone who is pretty new to travel and travel blogging, I’m anxious to get out and experience some of what you are talking about.
Eric Bynum recently posted..Video from the 2012 World’s Fair in Yeosu, South Korea
Thank you Erik. I hope this helps people regardless of what they do. We live in a culture that teaches us that success and doing whatever it takes matters. However, we balance and priorities.
Best of luck with your travel blogging adventures. It’s a fun and crazy ride!
[...] read enough of his work to realize he’s an incredibly thoughtful and heartfelt writer, check out this recent series. Great stuff, and I’m excited to see him at one or more Cal games this [...]
There’s a fine line between commitment and obsession. That line gets a bit blurry at times, so number three stands out to me most. Your statement about how you spend your time shows your priorities is a profound one. Blogging isn’t my top priority, but you wouldn’t know it if you looked at a pie chart of my day.
My biggest problem is your number six, do what you love. In your case, it’s written as a positive, but I’m consumed with doing what I love. It’s almost gluttonous in a way. I get tunnel vision and say to hell with everything else. I suppose it’s sort of intertwined with the obsession issue.
My favorites are the last two: don’t give up and tell your story. I think those cut to the heart of what we do.
Your best posts are ones like these, ones that are personal. They resonate with so many. Keep telling your stories, Jeremy.
Leah Travels recently posted..Texas Tuesday: ¡Viva Terlingua!
Very good point Leah. I think that is where we really need to figure out that balance think. Many people may look at all the time and hard work and admire us for our dedication. In the eyes of the world (or at least here in America), we define that as success or the American spirit.
However, is it really a good thing when we sacrifice the things that are supposed to matter the most? This is where I think we get it wrong here in this country. We spend so much time accumulating and focusing on the things that don’t matter that I think our lives would be so much more enjoyable if life was simpler. That’s hard to say when I write a blog and rely so much on technology. But again, that’s where breaks and balance are so important.
So glad you enjoy these posts. Not always the easiest ones to write but I have to confess I enjoy doing these the most.
I completely agree with your points here and enjoyed reading them. Blogging is interesting because it makes you evaluate your life, the time you spend, etc. especially when you don’t have a lot of time (we can relate to that!). Travel of course opens us up in unexpected ways. That’s part of why we love it so much. I look forward to seeing what’s next for you!
I think that is a very good point about blogging. Blogging allows us to reflect. Sure, we can go on trips, put together some photos in an album, and be done with it. However, the chance to write about it allows us to think about things from a different perspective and learn more about ourselves in the process.
I love to travel but I think it’s just a part of our lives. I guess part of my focus in writing this is to remind people that there is still so much more to life.
I’m glad I came across this post. As a new travel blogger (I used to just do it for family and friends, now I’ve finally gotten serious) I can use all the tips I can get. Even now I am understanding how time consuming, and sometimes stressful it can feel. So thanks! I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your posts
Jessica Wray recently posted..Boryeong Mud Festival: The Good, the Bad and the Muddy.
For people just starting out or for those who don’t do this at all, I think it will surprise them how much time it takes to write a post. You really need to set aside that time and concentrate. There are also a lot of potential distractions as well.
With anything we do, balance and priorities are key. Yes, it will take a lot of effort, patience, and persistence with a blog. However, I wrote this as a good reminder for myself that travel and blogging is just one part of my life.
Good luck as a new blogger. Let me know if I can help in any way (I’m far from an expert but more than willing to share all my mistakes)!
Awesome advice! Don’t procrastinate, you say? Hmmm… I keep meaning to stop doing that but something always gets in the way.
Turtle recently posted..In plane site
I keep meaning to put an end to the procrastination thing but I always keep putting it off too
Such profound confessions my friend and so many of them really hit home with me as well! Don’t procrastinate, don’t give up and know who you are, are all so inspiring for all of us travel writers and they remind us to set our goals and stick to them! Thank you for sharing your perspective. Loved the photos especially the kilt. I am not even p going to ask.
Jeff Titelius recently posted..Alessandro Gallenzi Shares His Inspiration for ‘InterRail’
The kilt was part of the Sacramento Scottish Highlands Games and Festival. I went last year but dressed normally. This year, I got into the spirit of it. If you like that photo, you should see the one of me with the Scottish Games professional athletes. That will really surprise you!
As for the lessons, they are a good reminder to me. I hope I am doing a better job now in some of these areas but still have a lot of work to do. Procrastination and organization are still issues for me.
Great travel lessons, Jeremy. I think it’s easy to go travelling, but harder to keep going – a bit like travel blogging itself. You’ve just got to put in the hard yards and the results are always worthwhile.
Johanna recently posted..13 Reasons to visit Outback Australia
Thanks Johanna. Honestly, traveling is the easy part. Blogging is the hard part. It takes, time, effort, patience, and perseverance to write and share your travel experiences. However, the key is not to forget why we travel and who we love doing it with!
I agree with all of these, especially honesty. In the beginning I felt bad that I didn’t enjoy hiking because I felt like it made me less of a traveler but it turns out a lot of people feel that way.
But I will make you like food!
Ayngelina recently posted..Learning how to scuba dive
My love of hiking has more to do with the connection to the outdoors. I love the peace and quiet. That’s the introvert side of me that enjoys that time in nature. It’s also really good exercise as well. However, we are each different and unique.
I do like food. I eat it at least 3 times a day most days! However, it just won’t ever be the reason I travel. Not sure which would be a better challenge – me and food or you and hiking!
Always enjoy your openness and honesty on the site, thanks again for sharing mate.
Will Peach recently posted..10 Must Haves For Your Backpack
Thanks for the comment Will. Glad you liked it. Being open and honest isn’t always easy but I find transparency to be a good thing – especially if it can help others.
[...] (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined"){ addthis_share = [];}I have another travel confession to make – I don’t take a lot of travel photos. Well, it’s more like I don’t take as many [...]
Good list. #3 I find to be especially important.
That actually should be #1. It’s the most important one to me. I don’t always do it well because it is hard to balance everything sometimes. However, it may be the one that matters the most in the end.
[...] a bunch of photos, or some items to be checked off a bucket list.I’ve learned a lot of life lessons from traveling. There’s no reason travel can’t teach us important lessons about money.For many of us, it takes [...]
I “Regardless of who you are, what you do, or where you live, you have a story that can touch people’s lives each and every day. Find your story. Understand where you came from and where you want to go. You get one shot at this. Make it count.”
-This has helped me realize that I should be more proud of who I am at the present moment and that there is always potential for growth and change in the present and future.
I should feel prouder since I have grown and changed not only within years but even months… when I look at my life I have done a lot its just that I wish I could have done more but I should realize that I did do a great amount for the condition I have had for 20 years…and that is I have finally figured out what was causing my IBD… with my degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University (A natural health university) and the help of a Naturopathic doctor together we were able to reverse my suffering of 20 years of chronic diarrhea never in my life did I think that would be possible since I had it since I was 4 years old…20 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and less than 6 months completely gone… :O
I know I have always been interested in Naturopathic Medicine but there is so much more I would like to experience before making a leap towards becoming a ND like traveling and experiencing more of what is offered in life (I am also scared of the expense of going to medical school :S even though I know it shouldn’t be a factor but it is; I wish it wasn’t..)
-I also feel that I should share my story and experience with the medical community to show how the human body can heal itself if given the chance and the right tools to do so..
-Thank you for sharing how we all have a story and that we should all just be proud of where we have been, where we are, and where we are going
Thanks for sharing your story Susan. Growing up with that had to be awful. Glad you found your path for life as well as recovery. Hopefully you will have more opportunities to explore and do many more things now.
I hope your story continues to evolve and you can use it to encourage others who may be struggling with something or need a story to motivate them. Best of luck with Naturopathic Medicine, medical school, and whatever other challenges lie ahead!
Thanks for sharing this Jeremy, so well written and thought out. I can totally understand what you’re saying ‘cos I find they’re my weaknesses too! As the saying goes ~ procrastination is the thief of time.
By the way, please don’t say you’re old because that’s just a number. When we went on our big adventure this year, I was 63 and my Aunt calls me a spring chicken! But then she would not admit to being old at 100!
Enjoy life and every day – dream, dare & do!
Thank you Lynne. This is something I need to read every day. It’s so easy to get distracted, especially as guy, when you are focused on your work or hobbies. I just went to my 20th high school reunion a couple of weeks ago and it’s amazing how long ago 20 years seems. Life changes so much from 18 to 38. I would like to say that the things I’ve learned come from the wisdom of experience and age. However, that would only be true if I live out what I’ve learned. I still have a ways to go.
What a great attitude you and your aunt have! I hope that when I’m as young as you I feel that way too!