As I am nearing the halfway point from when I started this, I figure it is probably a good time to check-in with “The Plan”.
I have been learning SO MUCH about what the hell I am trying to do.
Blogging is hard. Writing is hard. Making time for it is hard. Social media is hard. Networking is hard. Figuring out this life thing is hard.
But I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
After I finished my excessively large bit on Greece, it has just made me want all of this even more. It isn’t that fun to write about something that you did so long ago. (That’s a lie, reliving it has been awesome). But there is so much I don’t remember. The little nuances that slip your mind after a while. Those moments you can never get back. And it just hurts because I miss it so much.
It has just made me want to walk out of my apartment and get directly on the next plane to anywhere.
I know it’s good that I am forcing myself to go back and get it all down on paper. It’s reminding me of what I want, and why I am doing all of this to begin with. But it is seriously making me realize that I need another trip. Now.
So let’s see what I’ve learned so far:
– Keep a travel journal. You will thank yourself later. (I know that sounds repetitive, but it needs to be said)
– WordPress will make you curse and want to pull your hair out. But it will also make you feel like a total badass when you’re able to fix the problem.
– Social media is A LOT of work. So grateful for the groups I have joined who are helping me navigate this mayhem. It ain’t easy.
– Staying motivated and focused on your passion and what you want you future to look like is a constant battle. Distractions are everywhere.
– You need to write all the time. I always have so many things in my head and I never just sit down and get them on paper. Isn’t that kind of the point here?
I am so grateful to everyone in my life who has been nothing but supportive. Anyone who knows me understands exactly what I am trying to do and why. They are also not at all surprised by it.
And I have made progress.
Get healthy and fit – not easy, but getting after it every single day.
Becoming debt free – slow and steady, but about to make a few big moves..
Always adventure – actively trying not to waste a single minute.
I am also trying to think about the end game. There are lots of options.
Quit my job and travel for 3(ish) months.
Move to New Zealand for a while.
Work part time and just travel a week or two but multiple times per year.
Become a legitimate nomad.
I’m leaning heavily towards one of these, but I won’t spoil that just yet.
In the meantime I am trying to learn. And then learn some more.
If I want a job that allows me to work remotely I need to learn. So I am focusing any free time on learning SEO, content marketing and social media management. You know, all those really exciting things? But important things for all of this.
Did I mention this is a lot of work?
18 comments
This is great! I also need to remind myself of my 2016 goals hehe. I love the part of you moving to NZ. I lived there for 12 years and its was amazing. All the best ❤❤❤
Thank you! Excited to see what happens next 🙂
I can relate! Travel and blogging involves a lot of work especially if you’re also working full time. It’s so difficult to make time for it and by the time I have a few moments to sit and write on my laptop, the right words hardly come. But we’re passionate about this right? So we’ll make it work. 🙂
A few months ago I decided to quit my job to travel continuously for six weeks. I told my managers and it turned out that I didn’t have to quit. They gave me 3 months and were totally supportive of my plans. 🙂 so yeah I’m happy I could travel longer and still have a job to come back to.
Oh wow thats amazing! Hmmmm perhaps I should go speak to my manager right now!
I FEEL YOU. It is so hard to stay focused even if you are following your dream, and I struggle with that all the time. I really like your honesty in your posting btw! If you are interested in contributing to Wanderlove, I would love to chat with you. Shoot me an e-mail at jess@wanderloveworld.com 🙂
Ps. Keep up the good work, and I vote you should move to NZ, say whaaat?
I will definitely email you! So happy to hear I’m not the only one!
The thing about following your passion is that you never stop learning (and you don’t mind), you never stop evolving (and are still humble enough to know you still have a path ahead of you), and you learn skills you never thought possible in the beginning. Writing and telling stories is my second nature and I can’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life. 🙂
YES! <3
I totally get it. There is so much to learn, know and do. Who knew blogging was this full on when they started it? Thanks for making me feel like I am not the only one 🙂 I am excited to see which decision you’re leaning towards…
You are definitely not the only one! Luckily I have been able to learn SO MUCH from other bloggers/travelers!
Great post! I feel these things every day especially “WordPress will make you curse and want to pull your hair out.” hahah I’m just glad I know this is exactly what I want to be doing 🙂 Good luck on your journey.
Thank you! Something new to learn around every corner 🙂
Very insightful and I really agree with your point- it’s hard but we just have to get to it. If dreams were easy, we wouldn’t long for them like we do 🙂
So very true!
I’m hearing you! Finding time to do everything is so difficult! On a side note I love Greece ?
Greece was amazing! 🙂
I’m in the exact same boat as you when it comes to writing things down… if I don’t, I just forget them. And travel is one of those things that I want to hold onto every precious moment. So if I don’t blog or journal them, they slip away! Glad I’m not the only one. It’s definitely a good motivator to keep writing.
Yes! And it will continue to help improve my writing as I go too!