What's it like to be a travel blogger?

Literally every third social media channel urges you to quit your office job and become a travel blogger – because it's cool, trendy, and broadens your horizons. Yes, undeniably, but let's pause for a moment and see if it's really that simple.

You Need to Invest

Alas, not every travel blogger has sponsors. To travel the world at someone else's expense, you still have to earn it. That's why many first save money and don't go on vacation. If this is your plan, then while you're working, get complex visas where you need to prove your financial solvency. 

To have something to write about in your blog, you need to go places and spend money on it. Museums, entertainment, interesting but hard-to-reach places that can only be accessed by helicopter. You'll also need equipment: a decent camera and a laptop; a phone won't be enough. And all of this also requires money. So it turns out that first you invest your time and resources, without really understanding what you'll get in return. 

You might object: I'll make a blog about budget travel, how to see the world with minimal investment! 

A good idea, but it usually means staying in a so-so place, saving on food and experiences, while flights will still eat into your budget. And now answer the question: how long can you do this, and will it really be interesting? The 'wild' way of traveling is not for everyone. 

It's Constant Work 

Writing takes a lot of time if you want to write well and interestingly. No one will read a tedious list of facts or watch a video with constant shakiness and amateurish editing. 

If you want to earn money from your blog, then selecting and preparing material will take up almost all your time. And one post a week will hardly bring any income. 

High Competition

Half of the TV shows are about travel, and there are an incredible number of travel channels on YouTube. It's very difficult to stand out in such a stream; there are already top personalities watched by millions. You need your own unique selling point. 

Another problem for a budding travel blogger is that all the common places have long been visited a hundred times, and watching or reading about non-touristy places in Paris or Vienna is no longer interesting. This drives travelers to unexplored countries and distant lands, which can no longer be reached for next to nothing. 

You Depend on Technology

For a blog to be interesting, text alone is not enough; visuals are needed. Photos or videos require good equipment, as does material processing. What if your camera or laptop breaks down during a trip? You always need to have funds for new equipment in reserve, otherwise, the blog's development will stall. 

Your Efforts May Go Unnoticed

The success of an article doesn't always depend on how it's written or how many characters it contains. People have largely become too lazy to read long texts. They want information as concise as possible, like 'TOP 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Cape Town' or '10 Countries Where You Can Get a Visa Online.' 

Therefore, before writing a huge article, gauge your audience and competitors. 

You'll Have to Embellish Reality

No matter how much you want to write the truth, you'll still have to embellish reality a bit. You might sleep poorly at night, suffer from discomfort and insomnia, but you'll hardly write about it. Instead, you'll post a picture of your fresh and happy face in a cafe (taken last week), where you'll enthusiastically describe the local cuisine. 

Loss of Connection with Loved Ones

When you're constantly traveling, it's hard to maintain contact with loved ones. A month-long separation doesn't seem so devastating, but if you're gone for six months to a year, even the strongest bond gradually fades. The same applies to relationships. It's good if you set out to discover the world together, being on the same wavelength. But what if not? Embarking on long journeys will always require sacrifices. Any trip is a test of a relationship's strength. 

Experiences Fade

When you fly off for a vacation after several months of hard work, it's one kind of experience. But when you've already traveled through several countries, a waterfall in Iceland no longer seems so impressive. After all, you've already seen something similar on the other side of the continent. Do you feel it? Experiences dull over time.

At first, everything will seem cool and unusual, but after 30 waterfalls, 15 mountain peaks, or 26 sea coasts, everything will become roughly the same. Sooner or later, you'll crave the simple human desire to wake up in the morning, make breakfast, and walk with friends. After several months of living out of suitcases, a need for stability, a permanent place of residence, and certainty will emerge.

However, despite the downsides, many travel bloggers don't give up their activity. They've grown accustomed to constant travel and find their joy in it, and their loved ones are used to them rarely being home. There are also advantages to all of this, which shouldn't be forgotten. 

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