Yesterday marked one year of travel blogging for me.  In one year I accomplished so much, but I also have this sensation that I still have barely scratched the surface.  I lived in Europe with a full time paying job.  I went to South America for the first time. I went to loads of new countries and made friends from all over the world.  In my next year, I hope to do even more, and learn more…but first, what I have learned this year.

 It MUST be something you love doing.

At least once a week I get asked a blogging question.  Usually, it’s another similarly-minded, bright-eyed millennial asking how I started my blog, and what they can do to make their blog successful.  My first thing I tell them is it must always always ALWAYS, be something that you love.  I am a journalist, I graduated from UF with a degree in Telecommunication News Reporting, knowing I had zero desire to do news, but knowing that degree would give me all the tools I would need (hopefully), to be a successful blogger. I love writing, I love filming, I (sometimes) love video editing, and while I hate proofreading, I do it because I love the rest of it so much.  You need to be writing about something you love, whether it be travel, fashion, motherhood, healthy eating, or whatever.

Can you believe it, we made it all the way to the Arctic Circle…VIA CAR!! ? • • • • • • • • • #arctic #arcticcircle #alaska #travel #travelgram #vacation #travelblogger #zaruba #bohotravel #beboho #wearetravelgirls #familytravel #familyvacation

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Jul 25, 2017 at 11:54am PDT

You can’t compare yourself to others.

If you do, you will go absolutely insane.  Look to others for inspiration, but not to drag yourself down and wish you had the followers, the views, the likes, the fan base that they do.  It will do nothing but breed negativity in your life and in your work.  Do what you do best, and if people can see that you love your work, and you do it well, the rewards will come.

Cheesin’ because its cold, snowing, and I MADE IT- #RainbowMountain is seriously one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever seen, and I’m so glad I pushed through the 16 km trek at that high of altitude to reach the top! ???Tag a friend you want to go with! •••••••Click the link in my bio for more information on Rainbow Mountain••••••• • • • • • • #peru #hikergirl #travelblogger #RainbowMountain #hike #igerperu #femmetravel #travelgram #rainbow #RainbowMountain #vacation #staycation #trek

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Jun 4, 2017 at 9:46am PDT

It’s more work than anyone will ever want to admit.

Very rarely to other people do I hear blogger within my niche talking about how much work they put in because it’s a little embarrassing.  Most of us have goals we set weekly, monthly, and yearly, and strive every day to reach them, on top of our normal 40 hours a week jobs because we haven’t made the blog the full-time gig yet.  In my first six months of blogging, I was on Instagram probably 3-4 hours a day, would blog twice a week, and networking an hour or two a day as well.  All on top of my real job, and the time that it takes to actually do what I’m writing about, TRAVEL!  Before blogging I never knew just how much of a commitment it would be, but I’m glad I made the stretch.

My last italy pic until I move back. Honest. True. How I feel when I’m there. Absolutely whole. Comment the place that makes you feel this way. Aaaaand go

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on May 7, 2017 at 5:20pm PDT

There will be good months, and there will be bad months, but it will all work out in the end.

I have had months with tens of thousands of viewers, and months with only a couple hundred viewers.  Some months I will struggle for content, and others I will have so much content I don’t even know what to do with it.  Take each blow and each grace in stride and be grateful for each moment as it comes, because it means you’re alive, breathing, and one step closer to your goal.  You can’t achieve success without failing first.

I was born and raised in Florida and this was my first trip ever to Miami, minus heading there to go to the airport! ? after visiting I found out why it’s one of the top tourist destinations in the world with over 15 million visitors a year!! Can we just say wooooaaaa ?❤️??? also… that #SKYLINE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #travelblog #vacation #staycation #miamibeach #bohotravel #travel #travegram #miamiskyline #sunset #beachbabe #scenic #florida #visitflorida

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Feb 9, 2017 at 8:58am PST

Your real friends and family will be supportive.

It slowly occurred to me throughout the last year that the people who genuinely care about me, are truly invested in what I am doing.  When I see them in person they ask me how the blog is going, what the next step is, how I make money doing it, where I want it to eventually go.  They ask me questions I don’t even know the answer to sometimes, and it’s so appreciated.

These gardens are absolutely stunning and a perfect place to escape the center of Florence and be in nature! ??Where is your favorite escape? . . . . #italia #tuscany #tourguide #myfirenze #myflorence #yourflorence #Florence #firenze #boboligardens #giardinidiboboli #arno #oltrano

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Aug 22, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

Start a journal!

The number of times I have forgotten something that happened on a trip, only to be reminded by someone who went with me, is astonishing. Taking a journal and writing down names of people, places, events (especially if it’s in another language), helps immensely when it comes to blogging about it later!  Somehow I am just now going to be starting this habit with my upcoming trip to the Florida Keys, but lessons have been learned!

#PROST! My latest blog post is up on the best way to pack for Oktoberfest! Stay tuned for more advice on Munich and the wiesn! . . . . . . . #oktoberfest #beer #dirndl #packing #blogger #lederhosen #munich #florence #firenze #travel #vacation

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Sep 20, 2016 at 9:50am PDT

At the end of the day, if it’s something you’re proud of, it’s been worth it all.

If you do well, you feel well.  If you feel poorly, you perform poorly.  Be confident, and be proud.  Take constructive criticism and with every blow from the haters, use it to better yourself.  Get back on your feet and stand tall.  Learn from mistakes and be humble with your victories.  And above all, be kind.  If you are proud of what you are doing, let it show.

One last “I Love You” from Paris to I start talking about the Christmas Markets in Florence & the beauty of Interlaken!!! . . . . . #paris #iloveyou #travel #vacation #girl #parigi #pari #france

A post shared by Sydney Zaruba • Travel (@the_bohotraveller) on Dec 2, 2016 at 11:10am PST