Non-stop travel x Social media detox

#motivation #inspiration #travel #socialmedia #content

I hope that I’m always satisfied and content like I am right at this very moment.

Ryan Reynolds Tweet

Let’s pause the travel experience for a brief moment and reflect on some of my newly implemented routines and lifestyle. Why? I keep speaking to people from around the globe about what I’ve been doing for myself in the past months (other than traveling incessantly), and the reactions are not only positive, but being shown as facial expressions and words of awe and amazement – confirming that I’m doing a great job inspiring people! Or doing what I’m lacking in my life, but let’s not whine. After all, this post is here to inspire and motivate you to live a better and healthier life, as well as see yourself grow day by day. Normally, I’d end messages like this with a massage-emoji. Guess why.

This year has been crazy for me so far. Unfortunately, I’ve been seeing incomparably more bad (even terrible) events in the past months, in my direct environment, than nice ones. Yet, I’m staying strong, swimming with my head above the water all along, eventually passing a life vest to whomever I can. How, you wonder? As crazy and incredible as this may sound, due to implementation of a number of new routines. Among others, there are waking up early, exercising immediately upon opening my eyes, journaling, reading in the morning, spending at least 30 minutes a day studying Spanish (y soy muy exitoso), working on five micro-goals each day, using lots of downtime to relax and refocus, eating healthier. No, I’m not trying to sound like one of those “I lead a perfect and fulfilled life” kind of influencers, though these actions have been helping me lately. But what’s assisted me the most in keeping my focus up and utilizing my time better? You’ll laugh, but – social media detox!

“How can you blog and not use social media?”
“Do you plan to ever be a large-scale influencer?”
“You can have the best product in the world, but without extremely good promotion, you’ll never monetize it.”
“How do you maintain communication with people?” (This one is obsolete though – do you really believe I’m using homing pigeons?)
And the least productive one for the end: “Why do you travel, if not to show off on Instagram?”

These are some of the most FAQ I’ve been receiving, in regards to my social media disengagement. Maybe even more frequent than actual travel-related questions. People are making me feel like a unicorn for doing an everyday thing and leading a normal life. I guess this is the ultimate goal, huh!

It does sound a bit contradictory, even in my eyes, how can a blogger not use social media. Well, let me just tell you it is all about the balance, and knowing exactly when to do exactly which right thing. My SM history is ridiculous. I used to have a Facebook account, which helped me graduate from college (praise FB groups for that). I deleted it permanently a couple years back. In fact, this event was so unimportant in my life, that I can’t even guess if this took place in e.g. 2019, or 2016. But it was the obvious next step, as I was getting nothing in return from FB, for a bunch of time spent in the app #sorrynotsorry. I’ve possessed several Twitter accounts in the past (I may even still have an active one), and I may have used the app up to five times in my life, in total. Many people say one can get a lot from Twitter, but I’m not seeing the benefits. TikTok – this one’s my favorite. I’ve never even bothered to install or open it. Nor will I. Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber – I only have them to communicate with friends from around the globe. Instagram and LinkedIn are the only ones in which I have active profiles.

Now, how do I utilize the social media? Or why don’t I? How does that even work, and what benefits do I get from those? At one point earlier this year, I was so tired of seeing bad news, I decided to simply not open these apps for a couple of weeks. After a while, I realized I was being able to focus better and utilize the combined downtime from the media to spend between one and two hours per day working on something meaningful. Also, it decreased the number of memes I’d be seeing each day, which, in the end, does not feel like a loss at all. I utilize Linkedin to stay in touch with professional connections, as well as learn more about global innovations – such as remote/async work trends, marketing trends, newfound ideas such as Web3 and digital nomad states (more about it in upcoming posts), professional education programs, new destinations to travel to etc. Why I’m still on it every day – I can seize the opportunities it’s putting right in front of me. The same reason why I’m intending to keep off of Instagram – I, apparently, don’t know how to use it properly!

But, what do I do in my spare time? What if I have excessive photos I want to share with the world? What is the right way to use the social media? In what amount? Let me tell you one thing – social media are not meant for wasting time. They are provided as a playground for businesses to start blooming. Sending memes and pointless click-bait messages around is just one person transferring a part of their uninspiring boredom to others. If you’re a grown-up, and an adult in their right mind, someone who has a strong sense of themselves, as well as credibility, don’t do this. If you’re being bored, it’s not nice to share it with others. Why not simply share nice things instead? Everybody hates the people with Demeter syndrome (probably not an actual term, I just invented it on the spot) – “if I’m feeling bad, the rest of the world must suffer” kind of mentality. Let me provide a couple of better ways to utilize your spare time and overflowinging effort to benefit your own life.

1. Start a blog

Have an excessive amount of pictures to share with the world? Launch your own website, write a couple of stories related to the background, and share your talent with the rest of the world. (I mean, hello, what do you think I’m doing?) And sure, you don’t have to have your whole website prepared in a day. In fact, you can leave some parts unattended for months. Who cares! Don’t expect immediate ROI (as most blogs, even with the best content, take about two years to start returning the money and reap some unpaid benefits), and you’re set for success. Just water it regularly, create some nice, inspiring and motivating content, something you’d like to see, that’s missing from this society, and enjoy living in a better world. You’re welcome.

And don’t shy away from using tabs on your website to promote the work that you can charge, especially as a freelancer. The world is full of freelancers and digital nomads. Sure, there are freelance platforms, but everyone on them is but a profile. On your own website, you’re a true person, where decision-makers immediately decide they want to connect with you, as well as pay top dollar for what you’re doing. After all, you’re demonstrating nice skills. Keep up the good work!

2. Run an online business

I can’t believe how many reseller gigs started on Instagram. And how many are still launching or waiting to be presented to the environment! I’m not intending to own one – probably one of the reasons why I don’t find this social media channel overly useful. If I do decide to go more hardcore on promoting my business, I will make a better use of it. There are countless tutorials online on how to start your business using Instagram, how to improve your presence online, how to have a better turnover, blah blah blah. My suggestion – just pay someone who knows how to do this, especially if you’re not keen on vainly looking at the number of your followers increasing.

3. Become an influencer

Have you noticed that lately even the most talentless pieces of empty head have started to become popular over no value added? Read that again, even several times if needed. So, what’s preventing you, a talented, smart, inspiring individual, full of new ideas for making this world a better place? I mean, other than yourself. Becoming an influencer is not one bit difficult anymore (apparently!). You will just need great promotion, even incomparably more than good content. Yet, do stick to great content as well, please. After all, if you want to see the world change, please start from yourself and use this power to influence the rest of our planet. (That’s why it’s called “influencer”.)

Honestly, I’m still avoiding this option, as I know I will be tired of showing myself off after a while. But, if you really want to do this, do reach out, I can easily share the know-how – and will be happy to do it.

4. Follow explicitly the content you value

You still like the social media, yet you don’t care to earn from it? Simple! Just follow exclusively the content you are interested in. Are you a dog whisperer – follow dog whisperer profiles. Are you a travel addict? Follow travel influencers. Do you think Eddie Kaye Thomas is an absolute king (like I do)? Well, too bad, that guy is such a king that he doesn’t even have any social media accounts #lifegoals. Yet, you understand what I’m trying to say here. Follow explicitly what you like, even if it means not following your favorite singer, actor, comedian, band, grandma, whatnot. This way, you will minimize the time wasted, and only fill your mind with useful content. One day, it may lead you to one of the steps above.

5. Just keep in touch from friends around the world

This is pretty much the past point copy-pasted, only with a different target group in mind. Close up your profile for the general public, do not mutually follow with more than 100 people, and don’t follow anyone who’s in the “I know that person, they are okay” category. Case closed.

How does not checking social media influence my travel positively? Easy, when I sit down to eat, I don’t immediately ask for the Wi-Fi password and do not momentarily post live-ish stories. I do not waste precious time texting seven different people “GUESS WHERE I’M AT!” and then prolonging the excruciating and pointless communication with unnecessary memes, or answering questions that will be posted in my blog. I get more time to visit landmarks and do some exploration, plus I get my peace of mind when sitting down to eat (and we all know this is my favorite pastime activity!) or when going to bed after over 20k steps for the day.

Why did I quote the marketing genius Ryan Reynolds, if I admire the “secretive” Eddie Kaye Thomas? I can admire both! Which I do. For the reason that they both are very admirable. Just because they have contrary opinions about one certain topic does not mean they are yin and yang. They are both correct, each one in their own right. The point of listening to great minds is not always thinking alike, but also seeing a better perspective of life itself.

Each time I start talking about my routines, people get easily involved and interested in the story. I don’t care about others copying exact steps of what I do (although everyone is welcome – after all, copying is the highest form of flattery). What I care for is people being inspired (do you hear me, Universe?!) and motivated to bring the change from inside of themselves into the rest of the world – to lead by example. I am always open to fruitful discussions, especially with humble people, who truly cherish the input, even when disagreeing (Dear Universe, I hope I am clean on this one). If you want to hear more about any part of my routines, either mention it in the comments, or reach out. I’ll happily respond, either way. Meanwhile, I’m off to watch the next Ryan Reynolds movie on my list.