Analysis paralysis: also known as: overthinking, too many ideas without implementation, a cruel close relative of perfectionism, and…the reason I haven’t written on this blog consistently.
“Le Penseur” (or, “The Thinker) – Auguste Rodin, Musée Rodin. Paris, France.
(Which may be my favorite museum on the planet.)
I often read social media and blogging advice online, and whenever I come upon “how to get ideas for content” or “brainstorm 100 posts in one hour” I think, do people actually have this problem?! I have the opposite issue. If you could see my drafts folder – meaning the number of blog posts I’ve started and not finished – or my Evernote notebook where I keep a running list of writing ideas, you would likely be paralyzed too.
Enough.
As someone who has struggled with finding her “path,” (hello, quarter-life crisis!) I admire this quote:
A lack of energy and creativity is not my problem. Nothing excites me more than the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of blogging. I love stumbling upon ideas, even outlining them! And I love putting something out there that connects me to you: the awesome reader on the other side of this screen. It’s the part in the middle, the part when I have to sit down and let the words flow without my internal editor nixing one after the other, that I struggle with.
As a result, I’ve only been posting when:
a) I feel a surge of inspiration
b) I have the time <– who does?
c) Some combination of the above.
Since I’m always thinking about and applying lessons I’ve learned from travel, I realized: we don’t get a break from the road. Day after day, even when we’d rather not be sitting in the back of a pickup truck in the dust and hot sun, when we would trade our left arm for a good, insect-free night in our own beds…we travel on.
And if there was one thing confirmed at my most recent gathering of bloggers, it’s that this blog thing is a lot of work. There is so much time, sweat, and yes, maybe even some tears, that goes into every single post. Often it’s without much (or any) recognition or pay. (So, hug your favorite blogger today?)
I need to stop blogging only when it’s comfortable and convenient. The best things in life, even those (like travel) so that we so passionately and thoroughly enjoy, are not ever restricted solely to select moments of divine inspiration.
It’s about showing up. With so many things in life, most of all it’s just about showing up! Buy that plane ticket and take that trip. Train for that race, form that strong personal bond, write that post…you’ve got to show up. And not just once – but over and over, even (especially) when you don’t feel like it.
My commitment to producing quality content (as opposed to rushing to post something I’m not proud of just to stay consistent…) will not waver. As part of my effort to stay accountable to this “showing up,” I’m sharing a bit of what I have planned for you, dear reader:
What’s Next for Part-Time Traveler
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New Itineraries
- Coming soon: Vietnam
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Food Guides
- Coming soon: New Orleans
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Global Kitchen Adventures + Recipes
- Coming soon: Chicken Adobo (Philippines)
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Balancing Home with Travel
- Coming soon: How Travel Helped Me Knock Perfectionism
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San Francisco (My Home!)
- Coming soon: Apartment Hunting in SF and My Apartment Tour!
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Continuing the Photo Series “Take Me To…” including new short spotlights on a city or place
- Coming soon: Venice in Black + White
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Prioritizing Travel
- Coming soon: Maximizing Your Vacation Time for International Travel
I’m also crafting a follow-up to my most popular post to date – tentatitvely titled ’20 More Lessons Learned From Travel’ (because every day I realize more!) Essentially I’d like to welcome you back to my little corner of the Internet and give you a preview of what will be coming your way.
I invite you subscribe to the forthcoming monthly Part-Time Travel Newsletter.
Or follow along on Twitter // Instagram // Facebook (your choice!) (Hint: I tend to share curated articles and random thoughts on Twitter, my favorite travel + SF photos on Instagram, and daily inspiration + posts on Facebook.)
Is there something you’d like to see more of that’s not listed here? What would be most helpful to you to see on Part-Time Traveler in the future? I love hearing from you. 
P.S. You may also be wondering about my next trip. Another reason to stay tuned… 🙂
SO EXCITED that so much fresh new content is on its way. I’m already drooling over the chicken adobo recipe (make it for me?). Also could not agree more, HUG YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGER TODAY!!
I think it’s great, though, that you took a break from writing instead of putting out half-assed content. That takes some real foresight and restraint. You’re an awesome blogger and I can’t wait to continue following along on your part time travels!
Every time you leave a rockin’ comment on my blog, I will make you something yummy (and we will photograph it.) Deal? 🙂
YES!! It’s SO about showing up. I’ve learned over the years that when you want to do something, but then you kinda sorta don’t feel like doing it – JUST DO IT. You’ll regret not doing it more than you will doing it. Like working out when you’re tired, or meeting up with a friend after a long day of work when it’d be so much easier to just skip it all. Or, you know, actual blog-related things 😛
Also, cheers to quality > quantity. If we apply that to all aspects of life, blogging should be no different, eh? 🙂
Lindsay!! Those are two of the greatest examples – working out and meeting up with friends. SAY YES and then SHOW UP! We rarely regret it when we do. It’s time to stop doing what’s easy and start doing what brings joy and meaning to our lives, even when the process isn’t quite comfortable…
P.S. Quality > quantity is one of my FAVORITE things in life, across anything and everything.
Great post Anne! I am really looking forward to your upcoming posts. I am working on consistency and have decided on 2-3 posts per week!
Get it girl! Thanks for reading and for holding me accountable! I promise to do the same 🙂
PS I think I’ve told you this, but your avatar is adorable.
I have the same problem… Too many ideas, not enough time. I post when I have time, I’m sure all of my awesome readers on that side of the screen have gotten frustrated and left by now.
I love your style, it is very authentic. I can’t wait to read more, especially Venice in Black + White… Now that’s travel porn!
Brad, you make travel blogs exciting again. Keep posting and we’ll keep reading (me included!) You’re crazy and it is amazing.
Thank you for the kind words and for reading! I hope you enjoy my next post over a hot mug of Ganges tea. 😛
Hey dear Anne! So glad to know about what is coming! Can’t wait to see all that new content….
I’ve said it once, but I will always say it: you are an inspiration to me! Both as a blogger an mostly as the courageous person that you are! Keep blogging and traveling, girl!
Kisse from Brazil (actually, I am in Colombia right now, lol)
Bruna 🙂
Hi Bruna! Thank you so much my dear! Meeting you on the road was a highlight of my travels. I hope we get the chance to travel again together someday soon.
AND I’m SO excited for your upcoming journey. You equally inspire me with your insistence on chasing after what is truly important to you. Chat soon, and I must visit Brazil!
XO!
I love that you gave a list of “coming soon” – it is a great way to hold yourself accountable.
Thanks, Amber! I’d love to preview what’s coming next for you…loving your food posts!
I’ve fallen into the same rut — blogging only when I feel inspired enough and have time, with too many drafts getting no attention. That is a great way to look at it and I need to remember that if I enjoy my blog so much, why am I putting efforts into other things I enjoy less and are less fulfilling?
Well said, Alex! I spend precious time doing things that are certainly not as fulfilling, you’re right. It’s all about removing those self-imposed barriers to writing and just sitting down and making it happen. Look forward to reading your posts.
I can’t wait to read your upcoming posts and not just because I’m obsessed with New Orleans food.
Aww thanks, Mindi! NOLA food would be enough to make me want to read anything. Haha. 🙂
This is awesome and it’s making me feel motivated! More recipes! I love a combination of lifestyle/at home blogging with travel. We can’t all be permanent nomads so it suits your site!
Indeed! I love your perspective and ideas. More recipes to follow 🙂 Lord knows I cook enough! I need to share!
I can definitely relate to this! I have so many draft blog posts that sit unfinished. I make endless lists of things I want to write about but I don’t set aside time to actually do it.
Story of MY LIFE, girl! I’m working on being better at this. We should co-work together in the city sometime!