How to Balance Work & Adventure As A Travel Blogger
For many, it’s a dream: being able to travel the world, document it and be paid for your efforts. The reality for many, though, is that this life can be far less glamorous than it looks from the outside. It can be a constant grind of getting the right images, planning your footage and information ahead of time, then editing and producing what you’ve captured to get the perfect content.
There are many tools that can help reduce your time editing to give you more time for leisure. Many use an Instagram reel maker to create engaging video content and visually enticing cover highlights, for example. But to truly make the most of your time on the road as a travel blogger, here are the tips you should follow to ensure you still have a great work/life balance.
The importance of planning your blog
The real work should begin long before you ever set foot on a plane, train or boat to an exotic new destination. The first step is setting your goals, and realistic expectations on how to achieve them.
When you consider that 80% of blogs will fail within 18 months, it becomes clear why this planning is important. Decide what you want to achieve in terms of subscribers and how you are going to monetise the blog. Create defined objectives that will help you prioritise your tasks and stay focused on what’s important.
Developing a content calendar is vital here; planning your uploads alongside your movements. Schedule your travel in advance and have it all documented in this calendar so there is clearly defined work time and visibility on when you can create gaps for personal relaxation.
Staying productive on the road
Travel blogging is nothing like working in a traditional office, which is why further planning has to go into the places you’re visiting to ensure you are productive in any location, especially if you are one of the many that run more than one travel blog at a time.
Finding a routine that works for you and balances your work and adventure time is important. To achieve this, it’s important to schedule all of your daily work and ad-hoc tasks so that you never feel rushed and have space in your schedule for leisure.
Investing in the right tools for the job can also cut down the amount of time you spend creating animations and editing. On top of having durable, lightweight and portable phone, computer and camera devices, consider using productivity apps and project management software to help you stay organised and on track.
When your workplace is in a different location – even country – every week, it’s vital to plan ahead and ensure you have access to the required facilities like good Wi-Fi and comfortable accommodation or working environment.
Prioritising self-care
This is another area where the travel aspect takes its toll. Constantly travelling is physically and mentally exhausting, and can lead to burnout faster than in a standard office job. So it is important to listen to your body and mind, and prioritise self care whilst on the go.
The important thing is to manage your stress levels through activities that help keep you grounded; like walking, meditation or yoga. Setting boundaries is also crucial. When you are engaged in personal time activities, all devices should be turned off, notifications suspended and you should take complete breaks from your work.
Don’t wait until you’re starting to feel overwhelmed before you start paying attention to your mental health.
Make the most of your adventures
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, as they say. While you are looking to make money from your travel blogging or vlogging, it is also prudent to remember the reasons why you started this endeavour – to have fun and see the world.
Try not to be too tightly regimented. Plan your trips and activities, sure, but take the time to be spontaneous as well. Go off the beaten path, escape the tour group and satisfy your sense of adventure.
Be present in your locations as well. Don’t obsess over your equipment and getting the perfect shot or perfect angle every time. While you are locked onto getting the technical side right, life can pass you by in an instant and you could miss the perfect moment to capture an authentic moment on camera.
Make the most of your downtime too. Get to know your fellow travellers and locals in the area you have visited. Relax and recharge. Resting is just as important for creating quality content, so don’t feel guilty for taking a day here or there to put your feet up and stay indoors (or lie on the beach!) Switch the mobile devices off for a few hours and simply engage with your environment.
Travel Blogging: Work Or Pleasure?
These tips aren’t just going to make you better at creating content for your blog or vlog, they’ll also help to improve your travelling experience. Recognising the signs of burnout and taking time to relax and be present in your environment will do you the world of good.
How you are handling the travelling is going to bleed through your camera or written content. If you are tightly wound and stressed, obsessing over every detail and not looking after yourself, your viewers are going to feel that tension.
Enjoy every moment you can on the road. With these tips, you can better balance work and adventure as a travel blogger. Your love of travel will become infectious and you are more likely to have a successful travel blog or vlog that people keep coming back to for more.
