The One Brown Girl Challenge

Blog Entries

The One Brown Girl Challenge

Posted by Unknown

Monday, May 28, 2012

Image Credit: @OneBrownGirl

Stream-line (str

) 1. To construct or design in a form that offers the least resistance to fluid flow.

Lately, I've been busy as a bee. Truth be told, that's the way I like it. I don't really believe that entrepreneurs ever realistically achieve that ever-elusive balance everyone seems to be seeking and I'm cool with that, but I do like to assess my journey every now and then just to be sure that I'm still on track...and I'm not. That means it's time to streamline again: To re-construct my life path in a form that offers the least resistance to fluid flow. #ilovethewaythatsounds

I don't want to be a travel blogger.

I've decided that I don't want to be a traditional travel blogger. In fact, I don't want to be a traditional anything, but that's a subject for another post. I don't want to go on group press trips unless I put the trip together myself. I don't want to feel the pressure of thinking of a story angle when I participated in press trip activities that were structured and forced. I don't want travel writing to feel like gasp...a job. No, no, no. What I do want is what I initially conceptualized and that is to share my journeys at will, to travel with purpose, to write if I have something meaningful to say...whether I travel to culturally immerse or to simply vege out in my quest to unwind.

Streamlining + Authenticity go hand in hand.

Authentic

Of course, I'm always down to travel on behalf of a travel brand that understands the real me and wants to build a relationship based on our mutual interests (mine being global awareness and outdoor experiences for teen girls and unique travel opps and cultural exploration for myself), so going solo is always an option, but any trip I take must appeal to my personal style of sharing, storytelling and advocacy. Anything else isn't authentic and for me streamlining and staying authentic go hand in hand. I feel like I got away from that just a little bit. It was starting to feel forced.

The Authentic Thing vs. The Popular Thing.

Authentic

So here I sit ready to take on my very own challenge by releasing myself from the pressure I somehow managed to place on myself over the past year by doing The Popular Thing and not The Authentic Thing. You'll still hear from me of course, and I will never tire of sharing my little trips and what I know about the world of travel blogging with others, but strictly on my own terms.

I feel lighter already. =)

It's so easy to get off track, isn't it? Is it time for you to streamline too?

4 comments:

Chantilly Patiño (@BiculturalMom) on: May 28, 2012 at 2:09 PM said...: Seriously. I hear you. I think we all go through this as bloggers...wanting to help those who approach us, but also realizing that not every opportunity is the perfect fit.

I've been working on streamlining the last couple months too and it definitely leaves a lot more room for the opportunities that are a right fit.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with the extra space. ;)
Try Anything Once Terri on: May 29, 2012 at 5:18 PM said...: Totally. I hear you. You're doing lots of great things! It's funny that I am just reading this post now after thinking about some of these very same things. While I'm not necessarily a travel entrepreneur, I am thinking about what blogging means to me at the moment. I'm excited to see your upcoming projects.
Aqueelah on: May 29, 2012 at 7:45 PM said...: I hear you Tracey, and totally understand. I love your spirit and hope you never change...but alas, change is a part of living, isn't it? Looking forward to being included in your future endeavors...and praying for your continued success. Just keep "carrying on" and you'll be just fine ~smiling~
Unknown on: July 11, 2012 at 9:23 AM said...: Thanks, ladies! Nice to know I'm not alone. =) (Sorry for the delay in responding; still streamlining. LOL.)