This post was most recently updated on July 9th, 2019
Travel blogging has become a big part of my life. For nearly three years now, I’ve been recording my travel experiences and sharing tips. I feel compelled to help others make traveling a priority, save money for travel, or find less expensive travel options. I encourage traveling for everyone! And in the process of travel blogging, I’ve changed. If you are a travel blogger, or one of my many friends who wonder why I would devote so much time and energy to travel blogging, please read on to see ten ways travel blogging has changed me. Mostly for the better, I hope!
1. I take photos of food
It didn’t used to occur to me that anyone would be interested in what I ate when I traveled. But they are. So now I include a review of the food vendors and restaurants I visit. That means I’m always taking photos of my entrees (and my husband’s, too). As in…”Wait! Don’t take a bite yet — I still need to get a photo!” Three years ago, I would have never dreamed of doing that. And yes, it’s kind of awkward when I stand up to get a better shot of my plate and the waiter arrives to check on us. I even bought a special light for my camera to help me get better photos of food in dimly-lit restaurants! [This paragraph contains an affiliate link; if you purchase anything through the link, I will receive a commission to help finance my blog]
2. I have a huge collection of travel stuff!
I collect brochures, flyers, business cards, maps and guides from everywhere I go. Literally, there are stacks of these things at my home! I never know if I’ll want to include it in a future blog post, and I want the information at my fingertips, just in case. Brochure for the newest museum in town? I’ve got it! Map of Disneyland? Got that too! Tram schedule for Lake Como? Yep!
3. I have a one-track mind
I can’t hear someone else share their travel adventures without wondering if they might contribute a guest post for my blog. While a good friend is telling me about her hiking adventures, I’m thinking, “I know my readers would be fascinated with this story!” My husband recently went on a camping adventure in Mexico, and I sent him off with “Be safe! I love you! Remember to take lots of photos!” Because of course, I’m going to ask him to share his trip with you on my blog.
Still hoping for posts from Kim, Lorraine, Patti and Coral, too!
4. I am NEVER done with my work
Before travel blogging, I could go through a day completing tasks and checking them off my list. But as a travel blogger, there is ALWAYS something else you could be doing: researching details for a story, promoting on social media, editing photos, updating old posts, building your travel contacts network, reaching out to tourism offices, and so much more. When my husband asks me if it’s time to call it a day, I’m usually still sitting at my laptop trying to do just “one more thing.”
5. I have to try really hard NOT to talk about travel
I realize that not all of my friends and acquaintances are travelers or want to hear about my next travel adventure. I’m always so excited about the article I’m writing or the next trip I’m planning, but I really have to constrain myself sometimes. Besides, I definitely don’t want to make anyone feel bad if they’re not able to travel just yet. (But I’ve got tips on my blog if you want to know how to save enough money to travel!)
6. It’s easy to get out of bed in the morning
I jump out of bed the minute I wake up because I want to get my latest “pin” on a Pinterest thread before it closes for the day. Or the thought of getting the perfect sunrise photo can send me sprinting. I can be lying in bed, still half-groggy, and then I remember that my favorite pinning thread is curated by someone in a time zone three hours ahead of me, and I have to post by 6:30 am before it reaches its daily cap. I’m so sorry if this means absolutely nothing to you…but it does lead me to my next change as a travel blogger, which is…
I got up at 4:15 to get this sunrise shot at the south rim of the Grand Canyon
7. I’ve grown my vocabulary
I’ve gained a whole new vocabulary of travel blogging words and acronyms. Words I had never heard of before are part of my everyday jargon (much to my husband’s dismay). Like keywords, dofollow/nofollow, bounce rate, vlogs, pinning threads, link parties, Alexa rank, Klout score, StumbleUpon, SEO, CVB’s, etc. I know! It’s like a foreign language, and it takes time to learn. In fact, I’m still constantly learning new things. It’s a world of ever-changing technology and trends.
wordcloud courtesy of narciso1
8. I’ve made so many new friends by travel blogging
Most of whom I still haven’t met in person. They are my travel blogging friends, the ones who started writing about the same time I did, and we share what we’ve learned with each other. Or the ones who helped mentor me as I asked tons of stupid questions. Or the ones that have touched me with their deeply moving travel accounts that inspire me to do and see more!
A special thanks to Melody Pittman of Wherever I May Roam Blog and Alexa Meisler of 52 Perfect Days as well as Lyn Baker at A Hole in My Shoe
9. I have to explain that I’m at home most of the time
My friends see my constant posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and assume I am traveling. All. The. Time. Friends begin their voice messages with, “I know you’re probably out of town right now, but…” (I’m sorry I didn’t answer the phone. I probably just didn’t hear it ring over the noise of the dishwasher).
At a recent activity, I was asked to come up with a title for an imaginary book to be written about myself. In my mind, I was thinking: “Scatterbrained — and Still Trying to Pull it All Together!” My few seconds of silence was interpreted as a loss of ideas. People in the group started yelling out suggestions: “Where I’m Going Next”, “World Traveler”, “Jetsetter” and “How to Travel the World”. I’m flattered that’s what you think of me, and I’m glad my friends know I love to travel and share the tips I’ve gleaned. However, I’m just a normal person who tries to keep up with laundry, housecleaning, volunteer work at church, playing with my grandchildren, and going on dates with my husband. Plus I have a part-time job making signs and banners.
Most of my traveling is driving less than 700 miles to see my kids, grandkids, or parents, sleeping on an air mattress or in a guest room, and eating homemade meals. I like to explore wherever I am and take photos of anything beautiful for my Instagram account. But the bigger trips? Once or twice a year at most.
and finally…
10. I have a much greater awe and appreciation for this world
I am even more in awe of this incredible world my Heavenly Father created. It brings tears to my eyes when I see the beautiful… No! stunning… gorgeous… (Ahhhhh no words can really do it justice!) world that we live in and all the details that were created just for our enjoyment. It’s a powerful witness to me of how much we are loved by our Creator. The more I see and write about this spectacular planet, the more joyful I am!
How has travel or travel blogging changed you? I’d love to know – please leave a comment below…
If you enjoyed this post, share it…
Wow! Has it really been three years?! I’m glad I was able to help you start on this wonderful journey of travel blogging; it’s been fun to see and read all about your adventures along the way!
I know — three years sounds so long to me, too. And thanks, because I couldn’t have done it without your help!
Can I ask what light you purchased for taking photos of your food? I’m always so embarrassed taking photos of my food, but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I could just get the perfect shot on the first try, ha! Thanks for the entertaining round up, and congrats on hitting three years!. Blogging is definitely more than just a day job. It never ends!
Beth, I’ve added a link in the post to the light I purchased…
So glad you enjoyed the post!
I totally agree with all of those being a travel blogger myself. Blogging is certainly hard work and there is so much to do that you can never really stop. I was never a huge fan of social media before starting my blog and only had a FB account to share things with my close friends. Now having to update Instagram, Twitter, FB, Pintrest, stumbleupon etc, all that and having to come up with new blogposts it’s never ending! And when it comes to getting up at 4am for a sunrise yes I am with you on that one! I don’t mind doing that at all if I get a nice moment and a good photo then I get excited by it. When I have to get up at 6am to go to work it’s a different story haha!
Oh I agree! I’m not nearly as motivated to get up early if it’s not for something travel-related!
Even I see myself taking pics of food but I am still working on it. Sometimes I forget to pull out my phone when I am eating something really new and special.
I resonated with this so much! I recently started focusing and growing my blog. It’s soooo much work but I’m enjoying it. Social media can get a little tiring but the joy of adventuring is all worth it. Like you, I want to see everything that was created for us to enjoy. May you keep enjoying doing what you love!!
Congratulations on growing your blog! It’s a lot of work, but so rewarding!
I laughed out loud at #1 because I’ve become that person too! I was never a person who took photos of my food and I always made fun of them lol but blogging has turned me into one. Some very similar personal evolutions here, agree on that it’s broadened my vocabulary, that I’m never done with my work, and that I’ve made so many new friends. Though we do differ on getting out of bed in the morning lol I enjoy my sleep, and usually have my phone under my pillow so I can reach it and do an initial check of emails without having to get up haha 😀
I feel the same way! I love what I do, who I meet, and where I go!
I love #3 and so agree with #5!
For me it also changed the way I choose my destinations 🙂
Its me again…
Regarding #3 – do you find it easy to ask your non-blogger friends to write content? To me its seems a problematic but would love to hear any insights you have on this. Thanks 🙂
Hi Eran! Sure appreciate your comments… Actually, I really like it when my non-blogging family members contribute articles for my blog. It’s nice to get their perspective and they often travel to places I have not yet been, so it gives me new material to offer to my readers. Not everyone wants to, of course, but no one is offended by my asking. The most common reply is “I don’t think I’m much of a writer”. But if that’s the case, I just tell them I’m happy to edit or to interview them, whichever they prefer. I like these posts better than the ones strangers write for me, because they’re more personal. Plus…my blog is focused on family, so I love that I have so many guest posts written by my family members!
I’m so happy to read your blogging insight. It’s so true that blogging has helped us grow, not only in skills but also as a person!
The friend aspect of travel blogging is so true! I love what you have written so far. I blog over at the Rocky Safari https://therockysafari.com Would be so thrilled if you checked it out. Maybe our paths will cross again someday!
I love #10 – The thought that the beauty of the world is an expression of God’s love for us, makes me smile.
Traveling, Blogging.. all of it does change us a lot and so interesting to read how it has effected your life too.
I have been wanting to put together a list like this also because travel has completely changed me also. Thanks for the inspiration.
Happy 3 years! I never thought I would be a food photographer either. haha
What a beautiful post and I get every single word of it! Thanks so much for the shout-out, so kind of you. We are so blessed to be in such a fun career path that is still so new and exciting. I’m glad our paths crossed and some day we will touch base in person. 😉
I can totally relate to all of these, and on #9 I get that all the time, so funny. It is definitely a fun life with many eye openers and challenges too.
Tami I’m sure we’ll get to meet one day, but until then I’ll enjoy reading your posts. It is funny how similar we all are as bloggers, the things we’ve had to learn to get us to where we are today, taking photos of our food before we dare taste it, etc. I enjoy the friendships and camaraderie amongst bloggers and thank you for the shout out.
This is all so true! Especially taking photos of food! I never used to do that 🙂
These are all really good points! I’ve never really thought about how travel blogging has changed me, but I definitely agree with most of what you mentioned.