In just a few weeks Dan and my travels will be coming to an end (I’m still blogging about Romania, but this post is coming to you live from Kosovo!) as we head up to Trondheim and try to find an apartment and grown up jobs.
What does that mean for this blog?
I’ll be in the most beautiful country in the world, so there will still be plenty to write about, though Dan has already started to tease me about my future as a lifestyle blogger, mastering the art of photographing cappuccinos and table settings from above.
Because obviously being a lifestyle blogger would be super embarrassing. Almost as embarrassing as being a fashion blogger, spending all my time posing in pretty outfits and writing about my newest lipgloss purchase. Can you even imagine?
Luckily travel blogging is much more serious and not embarrassing at all. Right? Right?
Guys?
I mean, it’s pretty thrilling to know that so many people are following my travels through this blog (Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad! Hi, Nina! Nina? Are you still out there? Ugh …. sisters).
I bet they eagerly check their email each morning to see if I’ve sent out a new post.
Will I be in a city or the countryside? Will there be more pictures of hostel rooms? THE SUSPENSE!
Okay fine, I’m actually pretty sure my family stopped following my blog sometime last year. At least I really hope they did. There are only so many posts they need to read about my trips to food markets and love for hostel dogs.
To be perfectly honest, I secretly wish that no one I know in real life would ever read this blog. In fact, I’ve heard a lot of bloggers say that they didn’t even share their blog with their families and friends when they started – some still haven’t.
Why didn’t I think of that?!
Because, you guys, it’s embarrassing.
Every once and a while I’ll meet someone in a hostel who seems really interested in my travels and keeps asking questions, and every once and a while I’ll eventually tell them that, actually, they can read more about it on my blog!
But I never say it without blushing crimson and scanning the room for a quick escape, because I know they’re about to ask what my blog address is, and I’m going to have to say “Heart My Backpack Dot Com.”
And yet still I persist with this blogging thing.
In fact, I sort of love it. I never used to have any interest in travel blogs (hello, I don’t want to read about other people’s travels – I want to travel myself!) but now I’m obsessed. I love reading about places I hadn’t even considered visiting before – in fact I probably wouldn’t have dared to go to Iran alone if I hadn’t read about other people doing it – and my first stop for travel info is always other blogs.
Does it matter that all of my closest friends have outfit themselves with law and education and social work degrees and are hard at work making the world a much better place, while I spent the better part of my morning staring at my blog header wondering if I should change the font to cursive?
They tell me it doesn’t, because I once wrote a bunch of posts about Iran and that was a good thing. They even tell me that despite my empty trophy case I’m successful too, because you know, sometimes I get to stay in a hostel dorm for free!
And I believe them because they are all much smarter than I am.
Don’t get me wrong, I do still secretly wish I were creative or pretty enough to be a lifestyle or fashion blogger instead (parents, did you think I was going to say I wish I had gone back to school? I don’t), because they’re totally the popular kids of the blogging world. And I would so like to be popular.
But for now I’ll stick to writing about my obsessions with mountains and Soviet architecture, hopeful that one day a tourism board might give me a free 2-day bus pass for their city. Fingers crossed!
Read also: How Travel Killed My Ambition
And maybe I’ll try not to write about my feelings, and other things no one else in the world is actually interested in. Like I just did in this post. And this post. And this post. And let’s not forget this post!
Now I’m sure you’re all wondering: if you’re worried about embarrassing yourself, why on earth did you write this?
And I’m sure those people who know me well will be wondering: are you just stressing about spending so much time blogging and so little time working on becoming a grown up because yesterday you turned 27?
I don’t want to talk about it.
Many thanks to my insecurities for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my very own!
PIN IT!
(because they tell me Pinterest is super important for bloggers)
Michelle says
It’s funny, I’ve never had a problem telling my friends that I have a blog with my sister. In fact in the beginning it was more of a journal where we posted pictures from our daily life and because of that our friends would frequently be featured on the blog – and they knew it and they were cool with it 🙂
In my mind it’s now embarrassing being neither a lifestyle-, travel-, food- or fashion blogger (or any other type of blogger). Only time I find something embarrassing in regards to blogging is when people only do it half hearted; when they blog for others and not themselves; when they ask their readers what to write about because they have no ideas. Now that’s embarrassing! :/
Silvia says
I’ve watched some of my favorite bloggers start to lose inspiration and ask readers what they should be writing and it is really sad! I always think “Nooo I can’t help you – your the clever and inspiring one, not me!”
Megan says
mwhahhahah my thoughts written down to a freaking T. i never told my family about my blog until one of them was searching something and came across it years ago. then i was like ‘screw it’. they still dont read it and dont know the address (which is my name- so how odd is that).
i guess to an extent i find travel blogging sometimes embarrassing. but i think it is because people associate it with fashion blogging and the weirdness of that, but it is so different. travel blogging tells a story and helps travelers whereas fashion blogging is just photos and affiliate links. i think i became uncomfortable with travel blogging a bit after moving to norway. norway and sweden have this thing for fashion bloggers. and it is the most uncomfortable thing i have ever seen. they praise these girls (all whilst trolling their blogs and writing nasty things) like celebrities and these girls blogs are the most horrendous pieces of crap ive ever seen. they literally document their every step. when they go to the bathroom, when they are on their period, and whenever they buy a new piece of clothing at h&m. whenever i told someone in norway i was a travel blogger, it made me feel weird because i hoped i wasnt categorized as that. i went to several events w/ these fashion bloggers in norway (my friend was the editor of the brand that ‘hosted’ the big names) and they were dull and couldnt even enjoy themselves because they were worried about hashtags, photos of themselves (and telling people to photoshop certain parts of them out as they didnt want their readers to know they had a forehead scar), etc. it actually made me hate blogging for a while.
im thankful travel blogging is a bit different than that. and if it wasnt for travel blogging, i wouldnt have ‘met’ you on here 🙂 but yes, sometimes it is embarrassing lol. and that is while i will always have a job that is not travel blogging <3
Silvia says
Hahaha I was totally thinking of Norwegian fashion bloggers in the back of my mind while writing this! It’s such a bizarre world they’ve created and insane how much they share about their everyday lives. Then again, there may be a part of me that thinks Cath in the City is my best friend, so I guess it’s a love/hate thing.
I can’t believe your family doesn’t know your blog address when it’s your full name – that’s hilarious! And I’m jealous, because my parents follow my blog religiously. As in my dad is probably reading this comment right now, haha.
But you’re right that travel blogging has helped me “meet” so many great people. Now I just need to find a real job aside from blogging so I can feel better about it!
Rachel says
Happy birthday for yesterday!
I totally cringe when my friends tell other people (when I’m standing right there) to check out my blog, yes: it’s totally embarrassing! They mostly talk about the cake side of it though, and I just want to scream: it’s a travel blog! There is cake, but it’s a travel blog!!!!
– and yes, I would think the money is in food blogging, I get way more views for the cake posts! The world reads the internet with their stomachs (that doesn’t account for all the cats though)!
Silvia says
I can never look when someone starts looking up my blog, haha. Um, it sounds like I need to start incorporating food posts into my blog though!
Kathi says
Happy birthday! Hope you had a blast, in Pristina? 🙂
I don’t have a travel blog but I have been reading sooo many, and when asked about that, I almost feel embarrassed. Which of course makes even less sense than feeling embarrassed for having a blog because that’s awesome – in some cases, and you are definitely one of those. (I will stop my rambling here, keep on doing what you’re doing and greetings from Bishkek!)
Silvia says
Thanks, Kathi, Pristina was such a fun place to celebrate my birthday!
Rebekah says
I love this post. I really really wish I had not told my family about my blog. My mom reads and then over discusses it with me to the point where I don’t really want to write anything personal on there. she read it the other day and wanted to know if I smoked pot in Dali because someone’s comment insinuated I had…I think blogging has a bad rap- its a really interesting form of media these days and honestly it changed the way I travel and think about travel. I don’t think you should feel lame. Plus I have two social work degrees and I’m not doing anything with them so definitely don’t feel bad
Silvia says
Ugh I know the feeling exactly. My dad is super conservative about alcohol so I never like to drink with my parents (I once jokingly said I only drink beer to get drunk and he just looked at me sternly and said “You mean slightly buzzed.” haha whoops). But over Christmas he kept going on about how I won’t drink with him but he has to read about my drinking on my blog all the time, so now I very rarely mention it. Like, I posted a photo of beers from Slovakia and spent a good 5 minutes trying to decide if I should or not – so insane!
Lisa Michele says
Silvia you had me laughing and nodding simultaneously throughout the entire post…loved it! Absolutely spot on and written like a “professional travel writer”, way more grown up than blogger!
My 84yr old Nan reads my blog and just got Instagram too, let’s just say I never knew hashtags and spelling errors could read so badly…lucky the delete button has been invented.
Silvia says
Hahaha I need to keep an eye out for your Nan’s comments before you reach the delete button!
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
Happy belated birthday! I hope, you had a wonderful day celebrating in Kosovo.
I highly enjoy reading about your adventures from the very beginning and I think I wouldn’t be as much thrilled as I am if you would focus on writing about the newest hair coloring, shampoo or the hippest lipstick. Travel Bloggers love Travel Blogs, don’t we? That’s where I also get my ideas from and I am always excited to discover new ones. And people who think Travel Blogging is embarrassing should maybe switch to the Beauty and Lifestyle Blogs.
Silvia says
Haha I don’t think anyone would be thrilled if I started writing about my shampoo or lipstick. It’s so true that travel bloggers love travel blogs – I often wonder if most of my readers are actually other bloggers!
Timothy says
“Does it matter that all of my closest friends have outfit themselves with law and education and social work degrees and are hard at work making the world a much better place, while I spent the better part of my morning staring at my blog header wondering if I should change the font to cursive?”—I always loved people who would say something like this in college. I never quite had the right kind of genius to worry about stylistic things. Keep up the good work. Hopefully I might have as much success in my 20s as you.
Silvia says
I guess I have enough genius to worry about stylistic things, but sadly not enough to ever be able to figure out what to do about them, haha. But seriously, I hope you are much, MUCH more successful in your 20s (and thanks for making me feel old right after my birthday).
Gemma says
I don’t really know what to class my blog as, I think it’s a mix between a lifestyle blog and a travel blog and I’m happy with that! I know what you mean about blogging being embarrassing though, but I think as blogging is getting more well known everything’s changing and blogging shouldn’t be something that we find embarrassing anymore. It’s something to be proud of, an accomplishment that you actually had the guts to do it and how wonderful will it be in a few years time to look back and remember everything you’ve done in detail, with the help of your blog 🙂 Gemma x
Silvia says
That’s a really good point – I have an awful memory and already have found myself checking back through my archives to remember details of a trip. It will be so nice to have these pictures and stories in the future!
Emily S says
I feel the same way! Why is admitting you’re a blogger such a scary feeling? I hid my blog from people I knew in real life for a very long time, just recently starting to share posts on Facebook and encouraging close friends and family to click over (Thank you specialized “friend lists”!)
I hope you guys get settled and you’re able to transition in a fun way! I know that can be scary too, but you’ll never stop exploring. You’ll explore what’s around you, get to know your new town, and still keep those followers who follow you because they find your life really interesting!
Silvia says
I was so relieved when I made a Facebook page for my blog and could stop posting blog updates on my personal page (though if I were better at promoting I still would) because I literally cringed every time I had to do it. Haha.
Thanks for the encouragement for the move – I’m excited to see how it pans out!
Patti says
I loved this post, made me smile all the way through because I can so relate. Nearly 3 years later I still ask myself, why would anyone want to read what I have to say? And as bloggers we look at everything that happens as a potential blog post. I think settling in for a while will be fun and add another chapter to your life. 🙂
p.a. That bus pass will come, and it will feel great!
Silvia says
So true! When something in my travels starts going terribly wrong I now console myself with the thought that at least it will make a good blog post!
Sadie says
I wasn’t going to tell my friends about my blog before heading out, but then my mother started talking about it with all her friends and the rest of the family. I dreaded asking my FB friends to like my page, but in the end I’ve gotten some pretty good feedback. I’m sure every other blogger could agree with you about being embarrassed. There are so many blogs out there! But hey……blogging about your travels helps inspire others to have their own adventures. Like you said, you would have never gone to Iran had you not read about others doing it. Enjoy the rest of your travels and good luck on getting those bus tickets! 😉
Silvia says
It’s true – I try to tell myself that if I’m at least writing about less traveled places then it could maybe lend some good inspiration?
Jane M says
I was never embarrassed about my travel blog until I decided one day a few months ago to start taking it seriously. Now, when people ask what I do, I mumble something about writing and web design and working on the internet because… I am so embarrassed to say I’m a travel blogger. But I’ve told a few complete strangers now and am feeling more comfortable with the whole idea.
J
Silvia says
Wow congratulations, what a big step!
Justine says
You are hilarious, Silvia. And I understand where you’re coming from completely. I didn’t tell my family about my blog until about six months ago. The only reason I told them is because I felt like they’d get a better understanding of what life was like in Jakarta, because trying to convey it over the phone just wasn’t working. I was really embarrassed to tell them about it because at that point I’d never shared it with anyone from my real life, aside from my boyfriend. My parents literally told everyone they know. My mom now analyzes my posts like crazy and informs me of tiny grammatical errors. My dad constantly praises me and tells me how proud of me he is and that I definitely should write a book. It’s incredibly sweet but I’m like, it’s just a hobby, dad; it’s just a blog, dad. I can’t have a conversation with anyone in my family without them talking about the blog. Who knew it would be such a big deal to them? It’s nice but I get so embarrassed. As someone who HATES talking about herself (says the girl who blogs about her life…) I now secretly wish they would stop reading! I’m terrible… And also, HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!
Silvia says
Hahaha that’s so much like my family! My dad seems to think blogging means I’m a writer and proudly tells his friends about my blog, which obviously totally backfires for him because then they look it up and realize… it’s just a blog. It’s crazy to me that your family didn’t know for so long though – your blog seems so professional! It must have been crazy for them when they first saw it haha. And thanks for the birthday wishes!
Rachel of Hippie in Heels says
happy birthday!!! & i love the pic of you with your bikini top, so IG perfect lol
Silvia says
Right? I didn’t even actually take a photo of it, but now I’m regretting it because hello, perfect IG photo! lol
jennifer says
Dear Sylvia: Get business cards. Then you do not have to say the name aloud!
I know my friends don’t read my blog. They like to say things like “I can’t wait to read your blog” and they never do. I also wish I never told them about it because I think they think I am ridiculous with having an online journal. They don’t get travel blogs. But whatever…
I am sad your travels are coming to an end. Will you at least be taking weekend trips? Or even just making up blog posts? I could accept that.
And happy birthday!
bayyinah says
Happy belated birthday!
I can definitely relate to the embarrassment associated with travel blogging. I changed my blog name SEVERAL times to keep too many people I know in real life from finding it! Lol
Jon Fuhrmann says
This rings so, so true – kudos for writing about it! 🙂 it always feel so self-indulgent and narcissistic sharing blog posts on my personal facebook and the like…always wondered how other bloggers go about it, or even think about it!
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
Haha, yes! This is so spot on! I get so uncomfortable talking about my blog, especially when someone I know in real life tells me they read my blog, ugh it makes me just get so uncomfortable!
Erin says
I agree. Although in the new stages of my blog I thought I’d get it started first before telling anyone. Then again, who knows if I ever will?!
Christy says
Too funny. I don’t tell people I have a travel blog either. In fact, most of my friends (except the close ones) didn’t even know what I did for a living. They just knew I was gone a lot. I don’t know what it is. Part of me feels like it would seem like I’m bragging about all the places I’ve been. Most people can’t relate to traveling that often, so I tend to get a lot of questions when I do bring it up or people tell me how lucky I am. I’d rather just be mysterious. 😉
Karisa @ Flirting with the Globe says
I absolutely know what you mean!!!! I work as a full-time attorney (and despite being in a large city, it’s a tight knit legal community where everyone knows of most everyone in my practice) – I was TERRIFIED of launching my blog because I was afraid of the possible/probably criticism from others at my “real job.” Eventually, I just ripped off the band-aid and did it though (and haven’t regretted it)! Great post!!! 🙂
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Hahaa..I can TOTALLY relate! Only my closest friends and family know about the blog…and online people, other travel bloggers, etc. of course. I definitely would rather keep the real life away from my blog, mainly co-workers and acquaintances. I even have a separate Facebook account strictly for blogging stuff! Why is that? I think despite being so public with having a blog and loving to write all about my adventures…I’m still a very private person. Who knows. I really enjoyed this post though because this is exactly how I feel really!
P.S. – You’re definitely pretty enough to be a lifestyle/fashion/whatever blogger! But I’m glad you’re travel blogging b/c I’m way more interested in that! 🙂
Jonny says
Hahahahahahha! This bit cracked me up as I know the feeling well from the early days of my blogging:
“Does it matter that all of my closest friends have outfit themselves with law and education and social work degrees and are hard at work making the world a much better place, while I spent the better part of my morning staring at my blog header wondering if I should change the font to cursive?”
Well happy birthday Sylvia, your an awesome traveller, never doubt that. I especially like the fact that you try to get off the beaten path when you can like in Central Asia, which is also one of my favourite backpacking destinations.
Take care and happy travels (or should I say happy apartment hunting)? 😉
Jonny (Backpackingman)
Yosemite says
I stand behind my obsession with the fact that your travel blogging fame gets you free hostel staysssss. I pay so much money just to have a stupid roof and a bed, and you are bypassing all of that AND getting to hang out in much cooler places than me!!! Plus I get friend street cred. Whenever anyone is going anywhere I can be like “well my famous travel blogger bestie has BEEN THERE DONE THAT go look at her blog.”
Emily and Andrew says
Thank you so much for this article! We found ourselves giggling along with it, understanding every point you were mentioning.
Our big two year trip doesn’t end for another 10 months but already we’re contemplating if we can make the cross-over into travel AND lifestyle (i.e. taking pictures of coffee and European museums!). Unfortunately, I’m not sure we’re cool enough yet.
Micamyx|Senyorita says
Haha I do get what you mean! There are some blog posts I wrote years ago that make me cringe right now but it is still fun to reminisce such misadventures. It is my first time here (I think) and please, continue writing these personal posts. It is entertaining 😀 Will browse through your Iran posts 😀
Happy Birthday!
Sarah says
Aaaa I can so relate! I’ve seen so many blogger interviews where they say they started blogging to share what they were up to with their friends and family and it grew from there – I’m the opposite, so much more comfortable with stangers than those who know me. And I mostly interact with fashion/beauty/lifestyle bloggers who get sent some really cool stuff from PR brands but that’s sooo not me!
Kristin Addis says
Haha, this had me laughing, especially the sponsorahip at the bottom! My friends have MBAs and doctorate degrees as well. I think we mutually look at each other with envy where the feeling that we could be doing something more fulfilling from time to time. Grass always seems to be greener elsewhere!
Silvia says
It does seem so true, and I know I don’t really want to get another degree, but then I look at my friends with established careers and start second guessing myself all over again. Oh 20s!
Annemarie says
Hi Silvia,
that was a very honest and true blog post. I am mostly embarrassed, too and don’t even tell people in my hostels what I am doing unless they get too overwhelmed by curiosity and bombard me with questions. Usually, they just think I’m odd. Sometimes I give in to other people’s advice and manage to squeeze in the information that I’m a travel blogger but that most people don’t seem to hear. Just now someone asked all these things I wrote a whole series about and I told them I did write that on my blog and they just turned and asked the clueless hostel owner instead. Majorly embarrassing. So much for us being considered experts.
Silvia says
Ugh, that’s really annoying! I never tell other hostel guests if I’m there reviewing the hostel or something, so when I have to go around taking photos of it for the review I’m sure everyone thinks I’m insane! haha
Valeria @ Rome, New York, London, World says
“Does it matter that all of my closest friends have outfit themselves with law and education and social work degrees and are hard at work making the world a much better place, while I spent the better part of my morning staring at my blog header wondering if I should change the font to cursive?”
I loved this quote so much that I’m just about to share it on all my social media <3
Funny thing is, these exact people think WE are the cool ones and envy our lifestyle. I was so shocked when I found out! "Oh so you mean you have a PhD, a beautiful house and a serious job, and you wish you could just leave everything and travel all the time like I do? You can't be serious!" They truly are.
Silvia says
Haha wow thanks for sharing! I still think my friends are patronizing me when they say they’re impressed with my lifestyle, but you’re right, I guess there is something to envy as well!
Skeeter says
It’s like this was written from my own brain. Apparently us travel bloggers think a bit a like : ) I often question why I’m writing my blog too. I’ve been doing it for ages and only recently got my first free travel perk. I’m not great at math, but I’m not sure it pencil’s out. But, I keep going back to write about travel because I love it and I want other people to realize that it’s not something only rich people, trust fund babies, and hobos can do…I mean, I have considered turning to the hobo life since I’m pretty sure I don’t have a millionaire uncle in the wings waiting to dole out a bunch of money. Long story short, I love your post!
Silvia says
So glad you enjoyed it! Oh how I wish I had a millionaire uncle waiting in the wings. My dad is one of 15 kids though, so maybe one of them…? haha
Sarah says
Haha! Loved this post, and I just found you today!! As an “older” person who has a degree in biology, worked as a YMCA camp director for years, and has watched all of my more talented and smart friends accomplish incredible things in their lives, I’m also embarrassed to say I’m writing a travel blog. And then, our blog isn’t really only travel related, because we’re running an online marketplace for artisans from developing countries we visit- so the blog posts range from “what a great trip to ____” to “why you should buy fair trade!” Oh well, gotta start somewhere, and gotta put yourself out there! Keep it up- clearly, lots of people love you and what you write!! =)
Silvia says
Your blog sounds fascinating! Checking it out now… (And I guess that means it’s not embarrassing!)
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks, and let us know what you think!
Lucia says
This is literally as if you were reading my non-existing diary out loud. So true to my heart is a little relieving, and a little creepy
Silvia says
Haha I was so surprised to see so many other bloggers commenting that they feel the same. But it is a relief!
Andy - Window Seat Preferred says
Awesome post ha ha, and as with many others, sums up the situation perfectly; I still would rather invite people on Facebook that I met maybe once or twice to like my page rather than actual – God forbid – good friends and family. I’m nearly mortified still if someone I know well either likes the page or follows me on Twitter (since when did they have Twitter?!). Perfect article and I’ll look forward to the lifestyle posts soon 😉
Silvia says
My boyfriend’s mother’s best friend (whom I haven’t yet met) commented on one of my Facebook posts and I nearly died. Ahhh.
Edna says
I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered your blog (though I think I follow you on instagram) — we’re so similar! I also don’t tell family or friends about my blog, I cringe whenever I have to say “expat edna dot com” out loud, and going through your older posts, I also moved abroad right after graduation and have been living abroad ever since! Except your posts are much more hilarious than mine 🙂
Oh and belated happy birthday — mine was just two days before yours!
Silvia says
That’s exactly one of my favorite things about blogging – it’s connected me with people who are so similar to me! Almost creepily so sometimes (seriously, our birthdays are two days apart? whoa. happy belated birthday!)
Girl Tripping says
I love this. I just decided to start my own blog after so many random travels and adventures. And these are the same thoughts I’ve been having. :-). Thanks for the inspiration.
Silvia says
Hope you enjoy the ride! It will only get crazier 🙂
Ashleigh says
I love this post I’ve recently set up a blog before I start my travels in Australia and won’t share the link with friends or work colleagues until I have gone! It will be easy to not be embarrassed when I’m the opposite side to the world to them and they’re jealous that I’m in the sun but until then I guess it’s easy to be your true self on a blog where as around some people you have to act a little differently and hold back aspects about yourself. Great post!
Silvia says
Brilliant plan! Hard to be embarrassed when everyone’s jealous that you’re in the sun 🙂
Christina - CavaforLunch.com says
Oh, I love this post! And your sense of humor!
Unfortunately, I know how you feel… Last year I started my new part-time job – you know, one of those really strict grown-up office jobs where everyone wears white shirts, big glasses and heals that are probably too high to walk in. So, first “real” day at the office, and my boss asks me “So, what is the name of your travel blog?”
“Well, uhm… It’s Cava for Lunch….” And the room went dead quiet. I’m still embarrassed by that… Haha, I know how you feel! Good luck with your new adventures 🙂
Silvia says
Hahaha oh no! I can so imagine the feeling, and yet still it makes me laugh. Ugh, blogging.
Kelly says
Hahaha oh wow, SO glad to know I’m not the only one. I still have yet to tell any friends or even my parents about my blog–my boyfriend, my sisters and one of cousins are the only people from my personal life who know about it. And the day I DID decide to tell my sisters, I was super nervous and tried to just casually mention it to them. I was like, “So, uh, I decided to start a blog. Like, I actually already started one” and of course they wanted to know more about it and started asking for the name, and I actually had to work up the courage to say “Um…it’s…don’t laugh…The Wandering Blonde” out loud. No idea why it was so awkward, I think I’ve just always had a tough time with letting friends and family see my creative side. One of my biggest fears is having certain people come across my blog! SO weird.
Silvia says
Whoa, that’s so crazy that your parents don’t know! Though to be honest I’m really jealous of that – I feel like I have to censor a lot of what I write, which is pretty silly I know, but I’m a private person (with people I know in real life – also weird). So glad to hear it’s not just me though!
Camille says
Haha Silvia, I wish I hadn’t told my family about my blog because my entire extended family follows it (even my uncle and aunt who barely understand any English) and my dad checks it EVERY SINGLE DAY and keeps track of my traffic more assiduously than I do… I’m flattered by the interest, but it makes it awkward when I want to write something a bit more personal! Oh well. Anyway, no it’s not embarrassing because your blog is awesome – absolutely one of my favourites!
CL (RealGunners) says
You know what’s more embarrassing than travel blogging, or lifestyle blogging? Food blogging is! At least for when you have not grown enough to get invited to write reviews.
If you are a travel blogger, no one will bat an eyelid when you spend all day trying to get that perfect shot. But the moment you do that in cafes or restaurants, everyone will IMMEDIATELY know what you do…
Silvia says
Hahaha that’s so true! Though I do take quite a few photos of food…
becky hutner says
Silvia, you are a gem of a human. I relate to so much in this post that I am now feeling embarrassed myself! I started my blog on the advice of an editor but have struggled with it because a) I don’t like sharing personal information. b) I don’t want people to know where I am or what I’m doing. c) Blogging feels like bragging! d) Posting photos of myself really feels like bragging! (not saying I’m a supermodel…obviously!) e) I am unfocused and inconsistent! f)…..you better believe I could make it through the whole alphabet. Here’s the thing though…
When someone is as interesting and self-deprecating and prolific and professional as you are, there is really nothing to be embarrassed about. You have a huge following & sponsors, tantamount to the world saying yes, yes Silvia. More of this please! I for one am grateful your need to blog is stronger than your embarrassment & even if there are more existential musings + latte photo posts in Heart my Backpack’s future, I’m pretty sure I’ll still follow along.
HAPPY BELATED 27th!
Silvia says
Ughhh stop making me blush I’m embarrassing myself in my dorm room, Becky! It’s pretty crazy that I persist with this blogging thing because pretty much everything about it makes me uncomfortable. At least all of us seem to be suffering through it together? haha
Christina says
LOVED this Silvia!!!!! So funny. AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🙂 stay fab. Xo
Silvia says
Thanks!
Mar says
This is hilarious. I am just starting out my blog, which is faithfully followed by my two daughters and not much more than that and I find myself writing these really matter-of-fact posts because heaven forbid someone who knows me gets to know what I’m feeling. Thanks for sharing yours, it’s like permission.
Silvia says
Not the feeeeelings! It’s definitely an awkward balance (for me at least).
Beth | Adventuring the Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you for making me laugh. I especially loved the photo of yourself taking photos for your blog. That is me, right down to the “busted” face! Happy birthday, and best of luck in your future job search/further travels! 😛
Silvia says
Haha thanks, Beth!
Hayley says
I love this! And I thought it was just me…
There are only 5 people I know in real life who know about my blog – 1 being my husband, another being a friend who also writes a blog. I don’t know, I guess I feel a little embarrassed about it too but I don’t really know why!
Only recently have I even started to post the odd photo of myself on there so there’s no chance I’d ever become a beauty or fashion blogger! Besides, I’m not cool enough for that anyway 😉
Silvia says
Wow, I’m definitely jealous that so few people in your life know about your blog!
Claire Wang says
Oh my god, my family consists of me, my mom, my dad, and a sister named Nina too! And I have told exactly 0 of them about my blog for the exact reasons you have listed above. I have done some really weird things in the name of travel blogging that I’d rather them not know about.
adventureatwork.co.vu
Silvia says
Whaaat that’s such a crazy coincidence! And I’m definitely jealous that you had the foresight not to tell them about the blog, ahh.
Alyson says
I’m 49 and I’m a travel blogger. Hell yes it’s embarassing! But only when you meet new people and they actually want to go and read the thing. Then I tend to tell them it’s all a load of rubbish I make up to earn a living. Is it? Who knows? PS. Found this on Pinterest, it’s uber important 😉
Silvia says
Haha I always tell people my blog is a bunch of rubbish they don’t want to read as well, so like, I’m clearly rocking this travel blog success thing. And oh goodness, Pinterest. Weirdly I get SO many messages from other bloggers asking about Pinterest, so I’m actually putting together a little video email course about it, ha! It sounds like you’re already on top of the pinning thing, but you can sign up here if you’re interested (totally free of course): http://eepurl.com/bHOyYT
Sarah says
This is definitely the best blog post I have ever read about blogging. IT IS FUNNY BECAUSE IT IS TRUE.
Posing for model-like photos WAY more cringe though.
Silvia says
Haha I’m glad you liked it! And I so agree, that’s why I could never pull off the fashion blogger thing.
Bernard Tan says
Love your blog! am also starting out to write my travels!
Silvia says
Thanks, and good luck!
Sandy says
Omg this article is so funny, love your writing style. And I can totally relate! 😜
Parisa says
Thank you for sharing. I love how honest you are!
Silvia says
Thanks, Parisa!
Sarah CC says
Silvia! This post speaks to me so much and I’ve never read one like it before! I LOVE my blog, but I never post it on fb and always blush when my friends bring it up….maybe because it seems like forcing myself in the spotlight so much? I recently made an Instagram account for my blog, so I could finally feel free to post blog related photos outside my personal insta with all my fam and friends following along… Then somehow it got connected to my Facebook and notified every single person I know on insta that I have a new account 😂 So much for those blissful two weeks of anonymity! Anyway, it was really really nice to read that someone shares these thoughts!! #tragelbloggerproblems
Bridget says
Loved reading this post! Completely understand…I always cringe when someone brings up my blog and never share anything about it with friends or family. It’s actually so silly though.
Charlotte Brown says
I can definitely relate to this, I’ve only started my blog in the last week or so and I’m so undecided about whether to keep it my own little secret project or casually work it into my own social media etc! Good to know its not just me that feels like this!
Kristine says
Great post, I love your sense of humour! I feel a little awkward myself when I have to tell people I have a travel blog, or when I have to caption something after clicking the Share button on my FB. In real life, I’ll be like.. mention I have a travel and then quickly try to change topic, I don’t know why, lol! You totally nailed it in this post =)
Ashley - Adventure To Anywhere says
You are hilarious. This is the truth for all travel bloggers, whether we admit it or not. I put my blog out there in the open right at the beginning, and there are definitely times I wish I hadn’t. For the most part, people I know are super supportive, but sometimes I wonder if they all laugh about my blog when I’m not around.
Whenever I’m feeling insecure about my blog, I try to think of it more like a scrapbook that will be fun to look back on years from now. Sometimes that helps.
Martina says
You have such a unique sense of humor! I think this is the first time a blog post has actually made me laugh out loud (others usually make me smile and make a weird sound with my nose that sort of resembles a laughter but isn’t ??? guys, am I alone here?).
It’s probably because you are right, it IS embarrassing. So much that all 6 blogs I started, I deleted after a month.
I have now started “micro-blogging” through Instagram, where all the people that know me, FOLLOW ME!, and it’s terrifying to think that they might be reading what I post (in a language that is not my own, because English is not my mother-tongue) and shaking their heads and laughing at the poor little idiot that thinks anyone cares what she writes.
But I do it anyway (because honestly, who cares?). I am determined to grow my audience by the time I finish university and no amount of embarrassment is stopping me! 😀
Silvia says
Haha I know the struggle! Micro-blogging sounds like it might be perfect for you though – stick with it!!
Riley from Riley's Roves says
I LOVE THIS POST. I hate talking about my travel blog, and I’m totally one of those people who told no one about it for a year. My parents don’t follow it, I doubt my friends look at it (with the exception of travels they’ve joined me for)…. so who does look at it?! I have no idea, but it’s fun. I just hope no one ever meets me!
Silvia says
I love how many people can relate! Makes me feel a bit better about it, haha
imlil says
Thanks for sharing info…haha you have such a unique sense of humor!
overall a great article.