If you’ve been around the internet for a while, it seems like the “lifestyle” bloggers have really taken the whole place by storm. They are on their own websites, preaching the benefits of minimalism, selling you e-books about it, and trying to convince you that you can live anywhere in the world, if you have the right lifestyle. Here at Yakezie, we even have two of our own lifestyle bloggers, Earl and Forest. I happen to like these lifestyle bloggers – I always find their story interesting, and just like everyone, they’ve got some great tips if you’re willing to try them.
But I’m not sure…..
The unfortunate thing for me though, is that while I like to travel, I don’t know if I could travel long term like they all do. I enjoy having a routine, a spot to call my own that’s got some of my things in it, and a place where I can relax. I just don’t know if I can handle the long term travel like they do. They all seem to be great at it and enjoy it, but I’m not sure that function of lifestyle blogging is for me. So instead of doing exactly what they call lifestyle blogging, I’ve decided that I can still be a lifestyle blogger and not travel anywhere.
What the lifestyle bloggers are really talking about is using your blogging to fund your desired lifestyle – whatever that may be. It seems like for many of them, it’s travel, but as I said earlier, I don’t think that is for me. So instead of preparing for some lifelong travel, I’ve decided to take their main principle of using blogging to fund their desired lifestyle and adapt it to my needs.
My desired lifestyle is one of location dependence. I’d like to have some land where I can raise animals and try my hand at making most of the products I consume. I’d have chickens, dogs (to protect the chickens from coyotes), sheep and maybe a few goats. I’d have to focus mostly on stock, because you can’t grow much here in Wyoming.
I want to make goat cheese, wool, eggs, and all kinds of other things that I don’t even know how to do at this point. I’ve got some books on how to do all that, though. This is where the blogging comes in – I need a way to purchase all of the initial supplies (and animals!), and I’m going to try to use my writing to do that. Once my operation is underway, I’d like to give some of my products away to friends, and I’d like to retail it locally as well – giving me a way to make money stretch further and become less reliant on the blog for income.
Once I get everything set up, I’d like to start using my site to teach people about how I do what I do, and how they can do it as well. There will be tips on DIY projects, great stories from lessons that I learned the hard way, and anything else that happens that could be interesting or helpful.
Even though I won’t be a “travel” lifestyle blogger, I think I’ll still be one in spirit. I’ll be using my blogging money to live the lifestyle that I want to live, and using the money in ways that will make me happy. Using writing as a backup income source will allow me to be at home and spend time with the people that I value most, and will allow me to work while I’m away. The best of both worlds.
Do you want to become a travel lifestyle blogger, or would you want to fit blogging into your lifestyle as you like it now? Do you plan on using your blog to completely change your direction and lifestyle to get more of what you want out of life?
I’m really drawn to the idea of location independence. It’s the freedom to choose where I generate income that’s most appealing. It can be in my living room, Barbados, New York, or where ever – as long as the location is determined by me.
The issue I’m dealing with now is figuring out how to make a living without a traditional job. In the last month, I’ve used Airbnb to rent out my room to travelers. For March, I brought in an extra $1,000 by doing this, enough to cover my rent. I still have about $5,000 more to go in order to reach my monthly “non-job” income goals, but it’s a start.
I think a lot of people like the location independence, even the ones like me who would more or less plan to stay in the same spot. For me, its about the freedom to make that choice myself, instead of have it dictated to me by outside factors.
I’m too much of a ‘homebody.” I love to come home to my base and curl up on the couch. Traveling is awesome…..coming home makes the time away more precious. Thoughtful article.
Agreed barb, I think I’m somewhat of a homebody as well – I like my house and my community and I enjoy travel, but there’s just something to be said about having a place to call home – that’s why I’d like to design my lifestyle around it :)
Nice article. I love to travel but would never want to be 100% location independent. Now, 100% job independent is another story! :)
Agreed denise – I think location independence would take its toll on me.
Everyone has their own desired “lifestyle” and it sounds like you know what you want very well.
that’s why I own a truck, SPF!
I’m in the same boat–while I love travel and being able to visit other places, I really like the stability of a place to call “home.” Though at some point in my life, I’d consider buying an RV and doing a long-term trip like Baker’s doing now.
That trip sounds like a blast to me too wojo. While I dont discount international travel by any means, I often wonder why people who havent even been to half of the states in the US prefer international travel. There’s great stuff to see here as well (and for cheaper, if cost is a factor)
@Jeff- I think there’s a certain appeal to saying you’ve been “overseas” that people value. I agree completely though–it’s amazing how much there is right in our own backyard.
Sounds great Jeff! I’m pretty tied down to my location as well. I would have loved the location independent lifestyle in my 20s, but it’s a bit too late now. I’m hoping my blog will help with my early retirement goal. Maybe I can write about the early retirement lifestyle once I achieve it. :)
RB40
I think your blog will help you a lot in that respect. Keep working hard and you’ll be there in no time.
I plan to use my blog to help me attain my goal of staying home with my kids and writing. I love your goals. It sounds so nice. Would you be running the farm, so to speak, as a side job while keeping your current job?
Melissa –
It would be a side job for a while, and maybe forever, but I will be running it while working at my “full time” job.
I’d say one of my biggest current goals is location independence. I really want this badly. Even if I settle roots I still want location independence.
That said, I currently have a lifestyle blog. I plan to do some long term travel, but I think my blog direction is heading more towards living completely on my own terms. And hopefully encouraging others to do the same.
I think that location independence is something to shoot for, even if You dont end up wanting that when you reach the goal.
I can totally get the idea of location independence, and appreciate where you’re going with this. It’s probably a desire of an increasing number of people.
For me, well – I’m not planning to move, as I have family considerations. Plus, blogging isn’t my full-time vocation. However, if my situation was totally different, I can see the appeal. Traveling is fun, and flexibility has it’s benefits to be sure.
Ray –
Location independence is a great thing, but I agree with you – i’m not planning to move either. Blogging isnt my full time occupation right now and I dont think it will ever be. I’d like to travel some as well, but I’d like to run a farm operation of some sort.
excellent post with a different perspective that offers options! i suppose i never thought of it the other way around (make the blog fit the current lifestyle). personally, i am location independent not because of my blog, but because of the other various streams of income i have set up over the years (many do include web properties). that said, had i not, i would attempt for my blog to reach a point where i would at least have multiple options. enjoyed your post Jeff!
Two of my best friends decided that when they graduated, they would travel the world until they were out of money. It has been 4 years, and since then, one has come home, and the other currently works in a surf shop in South America to get by until he goes to his next location…which is all truly crazy to me! I’m very location dependent with a house and a job I love! I couldn’t imagine these guys that do it, but they love it, so good for them!
Enjoyed your member post. Awesome how you took lifestyle blog and modified it to fit your needs. Good luck with your dream of owning a farm!
Jeff, I’ve envisioned having a blog to help fill any voids during retirement. It’s fun, stimulating, and fun, fun, fun! I’m happy to work 2-4 hours a day forever on my sites during retirement. A little bit of this, a little bit of golf, tennis, surfing and traveling and voila! My idea of a perfect retirement.
I would love to be location independent. Now location dependence is another story, but you seem to enjoy the idea. I’d love to hear about it when you get started!
I love the plan Jeff! I’m a travel blogger/lifestyle blogger and really all its about is living the life you want. I call every place home where I stay for sometime, so technically I might not be “traveling.” But in reality I am as I’m living a life of exploring the area and writing about it. Good luck and I’d love to eat some of those fresh chicken eggs
I love this post! I hope to highlight that travel is not necessarily the ultimate goal … travel is wonderful, but there are many other great things a person can do as long as they have passive or part-time income. There’s so much beauty in being able to decorate your home, grow plants, raise animals, and do all kinds of other fixed-location projects. I traveled the world for 2.5 years without any income, living completely off savings, and I loved it — but it’s not what I want anymore. Now I want to plant a garden, renovate my house and play with my pets.
I always love a good lifestyle post. I don’t get to read them as much as I would like. They are always inspirational. Location dependence seems so much worse than having the freedom to travel and work from anywhere.
I like your ideal life plan. I have come to the realization that I don’t want to try to use my blog as a vehicle to replace my current salary. I’m in a specialized field so I’m paid pretty well so it’s unrealistic to think I could replace it with blog income.
I like reading lifestyle blogs as long as they don’t tell me I’m selling my soul by not having a goal of blogging full time for money.
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Long term travel is definitely not for everyone. It’s great you are exploring ways to let blogging give you the freedom to live the life you want and to explore new channels. Even if you decide down the road that you don’t like your new lifestyle or want to change things around, you shouldn’t have any regrets because you’ll have given it your best shot and will have learned so much. Best of luck!
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Sounds like a plan! Hope you find your dream life satisfying.The self-sustaining life can be a lot of hard work. Good luck!
I like the way you think! I’d love to have all those animals too, but right now we’re focusing on our garden. It’s hard to keep animals on less than an acre!
To each their own, right? Everyone has something important to say and there is no objective right or wrong. I personally would like the location-independent lifestyle but there are upsides and downsides, and there are benefits to the location-dependent lifestyle that you’ve mentioned.
So far I’ve been using my blog to learn from others and teach what I have discovered myself, and it’s been a good experience so far.
Good luck on achieving your dreams!
What I hope is to be location independent so I can do my work wherever I am. I would like to have a place I call home but have the freedom to travel on a whim with my family for extended periods of time if we choose.
This is a nice article. Travelling is fun and exciting, but at the end of the day you still want to be at the comfort of your home, with your family.