Being an introverted travel blogger: the struggles

Being an introverted travel blogger: the struggles
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We, introverts, tend to believe that there are certain jobs out there which we were never meant to do. Receptionist, DJ, bartender, beautician - the list is endless. Travel blogging doesn’t seem to be one of those jobs, right? Alter all, you go places (alone), come back home to your laptop, write about your experiences, and then share your writing with the world. Beautiful! It’s the best kind of communication that we, introverts, are capable of.

But there are some things we forget about. Like...

... feedback and recommendations

If you enjoy travelling and writing, being a travel blogger is absolutely awesome. You get to share info about incredible places, stories, and pictures. But then the inevitable happens:

“You should write about [X]”

or

“What are the people like in ....”

Having others tell you what to write about feels like carrying out an actual conversation with them (and introverts are not always good at the talking thing). It destroys your inspiration because, well, if you wanted to write about [X] you would have already written about it, right? And taking the inspiration out of the writer is like taking the justice out of the court hall: it may still function but it will produce hideous results.

As for the second question (locals), how in name of God are we supposed to come up with an answer since we never try socializing on the first place?

... going on press trips

One of the most awesome perks of travel blogging is the introvert's greatest nightmare. If you’re a fellow introvert, yet still want to be a blogger please, please get mentally prepared for this. More often than not press trips last several days and include a bunch of people you may not even know. As cool as it is to meet them (I know how much we, introverts, enjoy the occasional new acquaintances) after a couple of days it gets all too much.

If you’re reading this thinking “Oh, she’s just trying to get attention. Press trips are awesome”, trust me - I know exactly what I’m talking about. One of the first press trips I went on ended with me going blank. Like broken TV kind of blank. Only I had an idiotic smile taped to my face but couldn’t pronounce my name to save my life. I’d agree to whatever as long as agreeing meant that there will be no further discussion.

...being recognized

Being famous is awesome. Being recognized, however, is a totally disastrous experience for the introvert.

Oh, you’re that blogger!

Where are you going next?

Let’s take a selfie together!

But why are you smiling like а sloth?

Well, maybe the last one won’t apply to every introvert (some of us are really good looking) but trust me - that’s how it feels on the inside when you’re smiling next to a person who recognized you on the streets.

...having to tell that story. Yet, again.

Once others discover you have a way with words they suddenly want to turn you into a spokesperson.

Please tell THAT STORY about THAT PLACE. My friends haven’t read your blog.

Well, isn’t this why I wrote that story in the first place? So you don’t make me repeat it over and over again? It’s not that we, introverts, are too shy (maybe just some of us). We just don’t like talking as much as the rest of the people. Hence why some of us are such good writers (***clearing throat***).

Joke aside, travel blogging is absolutely marvelous. Especially nowadays when there are so many people around the world that you can use as an inspiration or collaborate with. If you’re a fellow introvert reading this and wondering if it will be ok to start a travel blog, I’d definitely say YES! Go for it! You can always pull the plug if it becomes too social for your taste. In the meantime it will be an awesome adventure!

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