I think the title of this post says it all: this is the end of the road for me as a travel blogger. Blogging is no longer serving me, growing me or making me happy.
Anyone who has been following me for the last year shouldn’t be surprised by this decision. I wrote back in March about having a never ending case of writer’s block and that I wouldn’t write again until I really felt like it. I did manage to get a couple blog posts up about my experience running the Great Wall Marathon and volunteering with pandas in China, but other than those, I have spent the last few months with a constant, nagging feeling of “I should really write a blog post.”
I have made lists of blog post ideas to write. I even start drafting them in my head while I’m out walking around or going for a run. I was going to write about how I did on my 14 Things Before 40 List. I was going to write about things I learned in my thirties as I get ready to turn 40. I even have one more post about China sitting half-written that I just can’t get around to finishing. But I just can’t put pen to paper (or, in this case, fingers to keyboard). For a while, I thought it was just that I was so busy traveling for work after I got back from China. But now that I have spent the last three weeks in D.C. with pretty much nothing else to do and still haven’t been able to bring myself to write, I know it’s time to call it quits.
When I first started this blog, I couldn’t stop working on it. I spent hours figuring out what plug-ins to add and what fonts to use and how to size my photos and, of course, writing – hours and hours of writing. I absolutely loved it.
And now, I just don’t. Writing a blog post or editing photos are items on my to-do list that I have no desire to check off.
On top of my massive writer’s block, my lust for travel is waning. Yes, I leave on Thursday for Russia and the Kamchatka Peninsula (ticking off a huge bucket list item), but after that, I have nothing else planned beyond several work trips around the U.S. It’s been a long time since I haven’t had a major trip to look forward to and I am okay with that. There is nowhere I am dying to go next and I really want to spend more time getting to know D.C. and being around enough to build relationships here. My priorities have shifted and while travel is still important, it is no longer at the top of the list.
So all of this brings me to the end of this blog.
I have pre-paid for another year of hosting and my domain name, so it will be up for at least that long for anyone who wants to peruse the archives.
When I get back from Russia the first week of September, I will turn off comments for the whole site, but please feel free to continue to email me with travel-related questions and I will respond as quickly as I can. At that time, I will also end my FeedBlitz subscription so the RSS feed will go away for anyone who has subscribed that way.
I will continue to be active on social media, so I hope you’ll follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and/or Snapchat (@katieaune on all platforms).
Whether you’ve been following for one year or five years, thank you sooooo much for your friendship and support – your comments and emails have meant so much and have made this whole journey incredibly worthwhile. Thank you!!
p.s. Although my desire to write has waned, I would still love to find opportunities (i.e., conferences, etc.) to speak to people about travel, so if anyone has any leads or ideas, please let me know!
Hi Katie, I better comment before you turn comments off! We both did something similar in the same month. While you quit travel blogging, I have quit backpacking full time and now have a base in Gdansk, Poland. However I’m not stopping blogging, just back dating my stories of course. I enjoyed following your adventures, especially all the former Soviet Union stuff. I hope we can meet someday around the world and share the same passion that we both had for travel and blogging before it became too business minded for everyone. Safe travels and best wishes with everything. Jonny
I’m glad to hear you’re doing what feels right for you. I just wanted to say thank you for your blog. It really has been one of my favorites because of your honesty with us as readers and with yourself, as well as the fact that you just choose really interesting places to explore. You definitely do your own thing, and I really respect that. I hope you enjoy your time in D.C. and whatever comes next!
Good luck with everything in the future!
Most people think that travel blogging is such a dream but when the writer’s block kicks in and it sets.. its hard to get out of the funk. I’m just getting started with constant blogging but it isn’t easy. My brain has to consistently work on how to make my blog and Facebook page interesting for people to read. My social media accounts are fully taken over by inspiring posts I find or my own blog posts. Anyways, I get it. I was a professional choreographer/dance teacher in a previous life and there are days where I miss it and I still teach once a week whenever I can but creative blocks are no joke. Sometimes it takes a break from being completely immersed in something to come up with creative ideas. Anyways… hope you will blog from time to time when the urge arises.
I’ve always enjoyed your blog, lately I’ve struggled to find blogs I want to keep reading. I really liked reading about your career break, it showed me that it is possible and doesn’t have to be a pipe dream, so thank you. I really appreciate that you write honestly and that your blog has genuine tips and advice, compared to top ten lists. I’m hoping to reach the Stans and Caucasus someday (gotta finish uni first) so I might save a few of your posts for when I eventually get there.
Good luck with your job and future travels!
Doh! I remember finding your Belarus posts in the lead up to my visit there and enjoyed reading your handful of posts in the year since 🙂
Your self awareness to make this move is impressive! Good luck
Good on you, Katie!
Thanks for having shared so many travel stories and for being such a great support for so many travelers and for us as a company.
Best of luck with the new beginnings!
That’s a shame, Katie… I did enjoy following the blog of a person with a travel schedule similar to mine (i.e. combining full-time office job and holiday travel). Perhaps no need to say goodbye? I also do not write blog posts very often but am in no rush to make retirement announcements! :o)
Kudos to you for knowing when to stop doing something that is no longer fulfilling. Life is too short to give yourself more stuff on your to-do list. Enjoy your upcoming trip and getting to know DC after you get back.
I can’t believe you didn’t end with a sunset….. 😉
Best of luck with the time and your new endeavors.
stay growing and happy, Craig
Bummer. Hopefully you will post on FB about Russia – it looks cool!