Today my little corner of the blogosphere turns one year old.
I really can’t believe it either!
In a couple days I’m going to talk about how travel blogging has enriched me as a person and all those intangible goodies it’s brought me. Today though, I wanted to take some time to talk about Twenty-Something Travel itself, how it’s changed and evolved and where it’s going.
Here’s the first thing I posted, back on July 23rd 2009. It’s a short little piece I titled the Twenty-Something Travel Manifesto. It’s simple and brief but it perfectly sums up the main argument I’ve been pushing on anyone who will listen: that you shouldn’t wait to get out and see the world.
Since I sent that out into empty space this little blog has gone from zero to having almost 600 RSS subscribers, almost 3000 twitter followers and hundreds of visitors a day. When I compare this to where I was six months ago I’m stunned.
I’ve been able to make a small chunk of money, and to make some design upgrades. I’ve learned SO much about web design, html and statistics. While numbers are fun to follow, I hope it’s not too cliché to say that the most important thing is people. I love coming back to see the comments on my post, connecting with people over twitter, email and Facebook.
Basically, it means a lot to me that people are listening while I continue to argue my point. In no order here are a few of my favorite pieces I’ve turned out over the past year:
- Go Now: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Travel – One of the very first articles I wrote and still the most popular.
- It’s All a Crapshoot Really – I always get nervous when I write something highly personal, but it’s comforting to know others feel the same way.
- Do The Thing that Scares You – Something I’m constantly reminding myself to do.
- We’re All Travelers Here – A bit of a rant about the great equalizer of travel, and how I can’t stand snobs.
- Learning to Love Being Alone – I won’t always be a solo traveler, but I will always believe the lessons I learned here.
So, where do we go from here?
World Domination
Well for starters around the world! Finally. I’ve been mostly stationary for the past year so I’m really excited to make the transition to traveling and blogging full time. While this won’t change the spirit of this blog, it’s definitely going to have positive effects on the tone and content.
I’m also excited for this transition because it means leaving my day job, which hopefully means more time to spend on the blog. I have tons of ideas and things I want to do to improve this space and expand, I just haven’t had the time and energy to make them happen. Hopefully by the time my two-year blogiversary rolls around
I never want to lose sight though; of the reason I started this blog in the first place. My most important mission was not to make money, or even document my own travels, but to encourage other twenty-somethings (and everyone really) that long-term travel is a viable and desirable option. I still maintain that your twenties are some of the best years of your life for getting out and seeing the world. Starting in a couple months my argument becomes more than just theoretical, and for that I’m psyched.
So thanks everyone for listening to my narcissistic rants every week. I’m always open to feedback and constructive criticism so feel free to lay it on me. And stay tuned as the adventure continues!
Related posts:
Twitter Updates
Congrats! It’s been a pleasure following your site!
Brendan van Son´s last blog ..Foto Friday- Misty Machu Picchu
Thank you Brendan!
Twenty-Something Travel has been huge for me as I dove into the world of travel blogging: it was definitely one of the blogs that inspired me to quit my job and travel, and my guest post for you was really where I launched C’est Christine! You’ve always been super encouraging and supportive, and I feel like we share a lot of the same travel ideals and goals–even though we’ve never met in person, I definitely feel like you’re more of a friend than some random person in the Twitterverse! I wish all the best for Twenty-Something Travel and your future RTW adventures
That is the sweetest comment Christine! Your blog is one of my very favorites so I’m honored to have helped get it going.
Congratulations! I know you must be excited to take off soon on your upcoming adventures!
Thank you, I really can not wait.
Congratulations on your one year! Glad to hear you’re doing so well. You’ve grown so fast in just a year. Imagine how it’ll be in another year from now! You have 5 years left with it so enjoy it lol
Michael´s last blog ..Art of Backpacking to host Meet- Plan- Go 2010 in Philadelphia- PA!
Haha thanks for the reminder of my ticking clock. But you are right, who knows what a year will bring…
Happy blog birthday! That’s quite an achievement for one year. Looking forward to following your travels too.
Michael Tyson´s last blog ..Settling in again
Thank you! Thinking I should bake a cake.
Happy Blogaversary! May you look at each other with fresh eyes for many years to come. Brian and I hope you are blessed with the joyous wonder of baby blogs. Best wishes! XOXO, Kimmy Kim Kims
<3
Congrats Steph, that’s a huge achievement for a 1 year old blog, I don’t know of many others who come close to touching that in their first year.
AdventureRob´s last blog ..A Rant Rules About Using Public Toilets
thanks! It’s been a lot of work.
Happy Birthday blog- I’m all kinds of loving it!!
all kinds of thank you!
Congrats on hitting the year mark, and happy to hear you are hitting the travel trail soon! Maybe I’ll meet you somewhere in the world in the next year or two!
Drew Meyers´s last blog ..Worst Breakfast Ever
Hope so!
Congrats on your blog birthday!! I’ve only been following for a few months, but yours is one of the first blogs I check every day on Google reader. And it seems like plenty of others out there are just as interested in what you have to say as I am! I can’t wait to start reading about your RTW adventure. Good luck!
Amanda´s last blog ..Life behind China’s Great Firewall
Thank you Amanda! I try to keep it fresh.
I agree, seeing comments is the most exciting aspect of blogging. Knowing that people read it, or at least stop by is one thing, but knowing that people can relate to you one way or the other and wish to share how is even better.
Keep up the great work! I love your blog!
Thanks. I definitely love getting to interact with people.
Happy blog birthday! I love your writing style and your message
Can you take me with you?
Oh, I’ve got my SILs on board for some Melbourne contacts. They should be reaching out to you soon.
ehalvey´s last blog ..RSS Gone MIA
Awesome- let me know!
Congratulations, Steph! I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a year! It seems like you’ve been around forever. You’ve accomplished a lot in a short time. Kudos.
Gray´s last blog ..Norwegian Epic- An Adult Playground
thanks- I FEEL like I’ve been doing this for years!
happy…BLOGIVERSARY!!!! thanks for keeping me inspired and fueling my wanderlust
all the best with everything!!!
thank YOU for being such a great commenter!
Congrats Steph! You have seen so much amazing growth over this past year! Looking forward to how this will evolve once you start your journey!
Thanks, I’m definitely psyched to see what happens next.
Twenty-Something Travel is such a great blog, honestly I thought you’d been doing this for years. Anyways Happy Birthday to your blog – hope there’s many more posts to come.
Alouise´s last blog ..List 9 – How To Have A Cheesy Time At West Edmonton Mall
thanks! I will try to keep it up!
Congrats Steph! I think I’ve been following your blog for more than 7 months now, and it’s becoming better and better!
Abhi´s last blog ..Namma Bengaluru
Thank you Abhi for being such a frequent commenter!
Congrats! Your blog was the first travel blog I followed, I don’t even remember who sent me the link sent via twitter and because of YOU! it opened up my world to loads of people who were just like me, normal people wanting to (and doing!) long term travel.
Don’t sweat the small stuff too much and enjoy your trip!
Rebecca´s last blog ..New Zealand – Couches Buses
I’m so happy I could be your gateway drug!
Congrats! I started following a few months ago – and have added you as a daily read to my google reader! You have a great site and I know you are one of the people who has inspired me even more to travel around the world.
So thank you!
Millie´s last blog ..Dream
Mission Accomplished (thank you).
Happy first birthday! I’m starting a bit late, I’ll be 31 by the time I hit the road. Better late then never right?
Nick Laborde´s last blog ..Weekly Dose of Travel Awesomeness – Planning
31 isn’t too shabby at all.
Yay! Congrats Steph, you run a great blog and so happy to see how far you have come in just 12 little months.
Thanks Andrew, for all your help this year!
Congrats!
Abbie´s last blog ..Make a Difference in a Minute or less!
Thanks!
Congratulations, Steph! Your blog rocks!! You mention more ideas that you have to expand your blog – we’re looking forward to what’s coming and to reading about your travels once you’ve hit the road.
Globetrottergirls´s last blog ..Polaroid of the week- Mariachi in Mexico City
Thanks! I have plenty of ideas, just need the time to pull it off!
Congrats! I’m looking forward to reading about your upcoming trip!
Thank you Wendy!
Congrats Steph! Woot! Great job, can’t wait ’til you hit the road! Maybe we can meet somewhere along the way.
soultravelers3´s last blog ..Captivating Colliore- France on Bastille Day
That would be terrific!
Has it really been only a year? Wow. You’ve earned the right to blow out your candles!
Alex´s last blog ..How to Find a Summer Job Teaching in South Korea
We’ve been quite busy this year haven’t we?
Congrats on your blog turning 1! It must be a good feeling. Even more, it’s exciting to see what successful…well, success you’ve had this year! It’s sort of inspiring
Thanks! All of these comments are inspiring me to work even harder.
Congrats and happy birthday. I think it took me close to a year to reach 100 RSS subscribers, so you should be very proud of where you are and where you’re headed!
Dave´s last blog ..Friday Flashback- Bordeaux- France
Thanks Dave! I seriously could not have done it without your help.
Amazing progress for a year. I’m at about a year and a half and am still trying to figure this whole thing out.
Caroline in the City´s last blog ..Humble Pie
Thanks, it’s definitely a learning curve.
Congratulations Steph! Can’t wait to read about your RTW.
Joya´s last blog ..My Big Fat Italian Festival
Thanks Joya!
Hey Steph, congrats on your blog’s first birthday!
Looking toward the next year!
Happy Birthday! I’ve enjoyed following your thoughts up until this point, and am especially excited to follow you around the world – first stop New Zealand!
Matt´s last blog ..7 Reasons You Should Write a Travel Blog
Thanks Matt, this second year is definitely going to be a lot crazier.
Happy blogiversary! Mine is next month–can’t believe it! Time flies. I continue to be impressed with how much you have done with your blog in just a year.
Emily´s last blog ..Check Out My Guest Post on Beers and Beans
Thank you Emily, it is crazy we’ve been doing this for a year.
Congrats! I’m about 7 months into MonkeyBrewster.com and I’m a little behind compared to your success but I’m working on it one post flinging at a time. I can relate to the comment about comments, while I enjoy the number of visitors jump around it is the comments that get me excited and know that people actually read my posts.
Cornelius Aesop´s last blog ..New Brew Tuesday- Paper Moon – Cayuga White
You’ll get there little monkey! the comments are really the best part.
Congratulations, your success is much deserved.
ayngelina´s last blog ..When a local coffee grower decides to go organic
congrats! sorry its a little late.. we love your blog! stay inspiring!
thankya!