It almost feels like a lifetime has passed since we started AsWeTravel.com exactly two years ago today – so much has happened in our lives since then.
Last year we posted a blog about some of the things we learned from our first year of blogging, in the hopes that you might learn something from our experiences as well.
This second year has been different in so many ways and we have learnt as much about travel blogging as we have about ourselves and the kind of life we want to lead.
Here are some of the main things we’ve learnt from our second year of travel blogging…
1) Limit Your Daily Time Online
During our first year of blogging we became obsessed with having internet access everywhere and being connected online all day every day.
During our second year we realized that the blog doesn’t ALWAYS need ”round the clock care”, it can take care of itself for most of the day – and, more importantly – many things you think you need to do can wait.
We realized that we were spending many more hours online than we actually needed – the work we had to do could have taken only a few hours, but we were messing around, working ineffectively which would result in us spending 6-8 hours instead.
By giving ourselves a deadline, or a time limit, we worked much more effectively, and gave ourselves more free time to explore the places we visited.
Decide how many hours you really need to spend online every day, and then only spend that time working.
2) Learn How To Separate Travel & Travel Blogging
When you travel full-time like we have for the last 2 years, it is very important to learn how to separate work and travel, then draw a clear line between the two.
Rather than sitting in a café or bar tweeting on your iPhone (for your blog) – sit back, relax and look around you – learn to enjoy the moments just as a traveler, not always as a travel blogger.
By always being connected with your iPhone, updating Twitter telling everyone where you are etc – you risk not actually enjoying the places you visit.
As a travel blogger, it is easy to lose yourself in work, and by always “looking for the story” you might actually miss it.
We noticed that when we disconnected and simply went out as travelers – the right story for the right city came to us by itself.
3) Ask & You Shall Receive
This year we’ve realized that if you want something – sponsored trips, free hotel stays, travel products to test etc – all you really need to do is ask.
After getting sponsored stays in over 30 hotels and hostels in the last year, and getting plenty of other sponsored attractions, passes and activities with tourism boards – we’ve realized that the worst that could happen is to simply get a ‘no’, and that shouldn’t put you off but instead push you to grow your site & connections even more.
The same goes for other things as well – if you tell yourself that you will reach a certain goal (monthly traffic, twitter followers, earnings etc) eventually you will find a way to achieve it – if you just trust and are passionate enough to work hard for it.
We’ve really learnt how to appreciate the power of positive goal setting and mental focus on what we want, rather than giving any focus to negative events which may show up.
4) Pace Yourself & Don’t Try To Do Everything
In the last year, we completely overwhelmed ourselves and tried to do too many things rather than taking one thing at a time - one example was the Europe Train Challenge.
During the train challenge we traveled to 33 countries in 75 days, spent 2 days in each place, filmed a video episode from each city & wrote 2 articles about each city – phew! 
That really was an amazing experience, and it forced us to really focus and work hard, but looking back we have learnt that it is better to focus on fewer things and do them as well as you can, than trying to do too many things at once.
By trying to film, take photos, stand in front of the camera, write articles and at the same time capture and experience every place we visited – traveling became pretty stressful, especially with a time-limit.
We learned to focus on one thing at a time and pace ourselves so that we wouldn’t get overwhelmed - remember that you can always go back next year again. 
5) What Others Think Of Your Blog Is None Of Your Business
You will meet a lot of people who don’t understand why or what you’re doing when travel blogging (my parents still don’t understand what we really do), and some will even disapprove, but just because people don’t agree with what you do, that doesn’t mean they’re right.
Never do anything you don’t want to do, and never give up on something you believe in just because others don’t.
When I heard Wayne Dyer say “what you think of me is none of my business”, I could really relate this to travel blogging.
Learn to meet jealousy, doubt, ignorance and confusion with a smile.
Our second year of blogging has been full of many great successes and a few big mistakes, but that’s what life is for – to live, to learn, and to see every mistake as a learning curve which helps you grow as a person.
We still have a lot left to learn, and I’m really looking forward to see what lessons this year (2012) will bring.
What have you learnt from travel blogging in the last year?
Can totally relate to #2. I’m always struggling to find a balance–do I splurge on this because I’m on “vacation” and who knows when I’ll be back, or do I act responsibly and save my money and spend a lot of time writing because this is my job? Always a struggle–but certainly worse problems to have! Congrats on another year
Thanks! Yeah it’s definitely a struggle, we found that by making sure we took a few hours every day to write and work we could explore and enjoy ourselves “guilt-free”
Happy blog anniversary! Indeed there are some good advices.
I’d go further and say that they apply even if you travel as
a travel blogger, or for pleasure. For instance, I always say one should
organize carefully his time online. Also, one should not always try to write everything
down, photograph it all and so on. One should really find the time and enjoy
that moment, travel etc.
To many other blog great years and amazing journeys and
unforgettable memories!
Tanks Lori! That’s true, they do apply to everyday life as well. People tend to associate bad things to discipline, when it really could be the most freeing thing
Great advice guys, and congrats on two great years.
I’ve had to learn to be patient with my blog. I have goals that I want to achieve, but I want them now. The old saying that good things come with time is appropriate, but in the beginning I didn’t understand that. As time has gone I’ve learned that this is a marathon, not a sprint…
Haha that’s so true, it really is a marathon. Building up a blog does take time, but it’s definitely worth it in the end
Happy bloggerversary! We’re definitely trying to find the balance to all of the above as newbies on the block and I must say, it’s been a struggle at times but rewarding once we can find the balance. Congrats on year 2 and all the best on the coming years.
Thank Kieu, a lot of testing does go into finding the right balance when travel blogging, but like you said, when you do find the balance it’s very rewarding.
Great Post! I really like the point about seperating work from travel. It would be a shame to miss out on such great experiences because you were so worried about blogging them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Elizabeth – learning how to separate blogging work from travel is one of the hardest things to figure out as a travel blogger – it’s still something we have to work, but we can disconnect much easier today than we could 2 years ago :p
Congrats guys!! Can relate to every point, especially number 1 and 5. You have to find time to disconnect and do what you want to do. It’s your blog and your voice. Some will like it, some won’t. Ultimately you should be happy with it. Well done and keep it up for 2012!!
Hey Peter, thanks for the comment and sharing your thoughts – really glad you enjoyed our advice
We are just starting our second year and I feel we are learning a lot of the same things. Great article and thanks for sharing!
Hey guys – nice to know that you are also learning many of the same things
thanks for connecting with us and keep up the great work with your blog.
Thanks for your insight. As a new blogger (5 weeks!) I hope to learn from your mistakes — and realize I probably won’t.
)
Congratulations on starting a blog! Like they say, the best teachers are your own mistakes
Happy Blog Anniversary. #3 and #5 are the ones I want to work on. I’m 18 months in and enjoying it immensely. So glad I started the blog.
Great to hear you enjoy it so much, I’m sure you will master nr 3 and 5 before you know it
Love it! First of all, congratulations!! And I love the idea of disconnecting. We’ve only started blogging 2 months ago and aren’t on the road yet but that’s something that worries me, to be too connected. In my personal life, I don’t own a cell phone, have no twitter account and am not Instagraming all I see. Travel is the ultimate way to disconnect and live something real so starting this blog venture was kind of an oxymoron! But with the right balance, it’s obviously rewarding! Great post!
Haha I know what you mean, a blog doesn’t really help if you want to disconnect completely, but it’s so worth it
I think it’s great that you have already started thinking of issues like staying too connected and really making the most of your travels. As long as you’re prepared and keep that in mind I’m sure you will find a good balance very soon after you start traveling.
This is the best thing I have read this year! Love the advice here. #3 is actually my top travel lesson that I’ve shared with a number of people. You said word for word what I would say about this. Most people already assume a no. So why not ask? If you get a no, you are right where you started before you even asked! Love #1 and #2 as well. I am a HUGE fan of being disconnected when I travel – no iPhone or smart phone for me. I have no way at all to connect when I am out and about. Enjoy the experience. I really need to work on #1 though. I do struggle with #4 at times – not so much from a travel perspective but a business one when I have things I feel like I need to cover. Fantastic advice!
Hey Jeremy, glad to hear you like it! That’s true, you lose nothing by giving it a try. Fantastic to hear you can relate to the post
Awesome advice there! Keep rockin’ it!
thanks dude – you know we will
Great advice! We are getting better at limiting our time online. I completely agree that giving yourself a time limit is absolutely necessary. We are a bit different in that we don’t spend much time online while we are traveling because we have a home base and already spend too much time online as it is. We actually treat travel as a vacation even though we still travel for business many times. I’m sure things will change at the end of this year when we leave for months at a time. I’m trying to instill good habits now so that we don’t get stressed out once we are traveling full time.
I think creating good habits before you leave is a great way of preparing for months of traveling.
Having a base does make a difference, I have noticed a big difference since we settled in Germany for a few months and it has been so refreshing!
Thank you for you advises, I agree with all of them, but it is good to see them in print…
Spend less time online, travel without being constantly connected, be open to opportunities, take it with my own rythm, one of the things I’ve learnt this year, in my first serious year of travel blogging…
Hi Lucie, I totally agree with you, being open to new opportunities and taking everything on your own pace is so important when traveling.
“what you think of me is none of my business” I like this quote a lot and I’ve never heard it before reading it here… thanks!
Haha yeah I love that quote too, it’s a good one to remember
Perfect timing! Number one is the problem that I have the biggest issue with, and only really began tackling it last week – with huge success! Don’t quote me on this, it still needs some ironing out, but I THINK I may have freed up four hours a day
As for number two – I think I do that pretty well. I live for the moments that are hard to put into words – so I just go with the moment. I was visited a hill tribe the other day and purposefully didn’t take a pen and paper – was amazing!
What have I learnt from Travel Blogging?
I found that I was getting sucked into the mistake of writing for travel bloggers. As much as I don’t mind (in fact I like them stopping by) them, I started the site to help all lovers of travel and those who needed the kick-start. It’s important to be aware of who you’re trying to speak to.
Great post and happy 2 year blogiversary
Hey dude – thanks for the comment – that is awesome that you might have freed up 4 hrs a day
more time to become even more awesome!!! love your insights dude, keep doing what you are doing and you will continue to grow and rock the blogging world! 
I really must say your travelling blog is a great inspiration and keep doing the cool youtube vids! They are really funny
Hey Maria, thanks for the comment, also love what you and Jon are doing on your new site
I love your blog
it´s so awesome to read, what you´ve done befor. Keep on travelling + blogging 
Happy 2 year blogiversary
thanks Thomas, glad you enjoyed this post and thanks for the future encouragement.
Really great tips guys. I’m going to reiterate what Anthony said and say how much number one is causing me problems currently. I like you’re approach to it and think I need to start doing the same!
Hey Will – yeah disconnecting from the internet, especially when it is something which pays the bills and keeps you traveling is really hard, but we have found getting offline and really helped our growth online.
Hi guys! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Like many who have already comments – the amount of time we all spend online because we feel obliged to is also my major problem. I spend more time online when I am travelling to maintain my blog than when I am at my full time desk job! It’s terrible.
I have only just started following your blog late last year, so can I just say I really admire that you’ve taken the plunge. I am still too chicken to leave my full time job
Hey Amy, great to connect with you on here, and thanks for following our site
it is hard to juggle a full-time job and a blog, but you once are ready you will find the right time and place to take that plunge 
Happy blogiversary! And thanks for sharing your lessons learned along your travel and blogging adventures! I think #1 & 2 are SO important, but are often the hardest to implement. Dan and I have started to divide our time between “work” time and travel time so that we aren’t pulled in different directions. And, it’s important to keep travel for yourself to not burn out – it becomes all that more precious and special.
Here’s to enjoying your 3rd year!
Hey Audrey, thanks for the comment and sharing your own advice - dividing work time and travel time is very important to keep yourself focused and to help you continue to enjoy traveling the way we do.
Nice blog, I really happy to read this blog. I acknowledge with all of them, but it is excellent to see them in list… Spend less on the internet, take a trip without being regularly attached, be start to possibilities, take it with my own rythm, one of the elements I’ve learned this season, in my first serious season of take a trip running a blog.
happy blogversarry!!!!
thanks Glenn
thanks Glenn!
Happy 2 year anniversary! I’ve been running my blog now for 7 months and I still feel I haven’t reached the stage where I can let the foot off the gas just yet. I’m really looking forward to, as you mentioned, not feeling the need to be online all the time.
Hey Samual – thanks for the comment, 7 months is new, and we were working very hard at that stage but don’t worry – keep working hard and you will get to a place where it will feel natural to be offline more often, and not always feel you need to be online.
Just another quick note…I thought I’d let you know your tweet button is not configured with your twitter handle right now.
Thanks for telling us, we’ll try to fix it as soon as possible!
Happy anniversary! Thanks for the reflections and advice. Number two is certainly one I need to be more aware of.
thanks Leah – glad you enjoyed our reflections from 2 years of blogging!
what a great post guys, I have been following your blog for a year or so now and really love the great travel content you share, keep it up!
thanks Sandra
thanks for following us for this long and enjoying the travel content we share!
Happy anniversary guys, really love what you are doing and congratz on 2 years!
Hey Peter, thanks for the congratz – really glad to inspire
I actually don’t separate my blogging to my travel adventure. When, hypothetically since I bring a notebook (paper) to list down those ideas that pop up during our experience then write it down to my blog when I’ll blog about it.
Hey, thanks for sharing your experiences. Bringing a notebook with you can be very helpful, I sometimes bring one myself
I wish a very Happy Anniversary to your blog.
Great post! We all learn from our mistakes, after all no one is perfect. I like when you mention that it is the major reason behind people who left blogging because other people think that it is not a reputable business. Just ignore people who try and drag you down.
Hey Mellisa, thanks for your comment – 100% agree: Just ignore people who try and drag you down!
Happy aniversary on your blog! I am 20 and am backpacking through asia, your site has been a great help, and have inspired me to start my own blog, I’m on day one but please check it out. I would greatly appreciate any advice or critique: LifeAtTravel.blogspot.com
Hey – thanks for the lovely comment really happy to hear you have found our site useful – have checked out your site and it looks like you are having a wonderful time in Thailand so far
Many congratulation, nice job keep it up.
thanks chris!
Hey Guys, congrats on your two years of travel and blogging. A note pad is a great way to capture everything you experience…nice job!!
Hey – thanks for your comment, yeah bringing a note pad is a great thing to have with you while travel blogging
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Love your blog guys. I came across it through another website, and now enjoy following your travels heaps. Keep up the great work and keep sharing your adventures!
thank you very much for the comment – really glad you enjoy our site
I have to agree with all the 5 things, so true all of them! I have learned those too already. The biggest problem I have with taking it slowly and not doing too many things at the same time … but I am slowly learning this also.
Hey – thanks for your comment – yeah doing too many things at the same time is a hard habit to change – great you are working on that as well
Hi aswetravellers! Just wanted to say what a great blog you have – very inspiring stuff to a newbie like myself! Just recently started my own travelblog, but I’m already relating to most of the issues in this post, especially no. 5. *Sigh*
Well, you live and learn!
Keep up the good work you guys!
All the best, Svala.
Hey – thanks so much for the comment, great to have you on our site and really happy you can relate and learn something from this post
Great post! My boyfriend and I are just getting into travel blogging now so I’m sure we’ve got plenty of mistake to make and lessons to learn — will be interesting to see what takeaways we’ll have after two years!
Hey – that’s fun! really great that you are getting into travel blogging – I hope you found our advice helpful and if you have any other questions – just ask
Sofia
thanks for the comment
FANTASTIC TIPS! I’ve been moving around the world & an avid traveler (with a home base) for the past 15 years but only decided to start blogging about it recently.
#3 and #5 are tips that I haven’t seen anywhere else! You two seem like
you have it all put together! Please continue to inspire me!
Hey! thanks for the comment and really happy to be able to inspire you – it is wonderful that you have now started a travel blog, I am sure after 15 years of travel you have many amazing things to write about and share.
Really wonderful tips. I will definitely keep this in mind as I try to launch my own travel blog over the next year…www.nonlinearlife.com. Thanks again!
Hey Jamie – thanks for sharing your own blog – checking it out now
I read this back in February and I can honestly say all these tips have helped me so much over the past few months so thank you! I’ve got a long way to go but as you said in your first installment of advice – good things take time. Thanks for following on Twitter and Instagram. Would love to meet up with you guys when you finally make it back to Europe!
Hej – so happy to hear that these tips have helped you
love the pics you are sharing on Instagram as well! you are based in Sweden now right? I am from Gothenburg so may be heading back to Sweden later this year for a bit – would ve fun to meet up with you 
Aw, thank you! Yes, I am just finishing up my studies at Lund and hoping to stay here in Malmö. Absolutely love it here. Definitely let me know when you make it back to Gothenburg – we’ll arrange a fika + fest!
Oh that sounds wonderful – really happy to hear you are enjoying your time in Sweden
a fika would be heaps of fun! lets stay in touch 
Great article, guys. I’m approaching one year of travel blogging and this was great advice.
Thanks Adam – congrats on nearly 1 year as well
I love the suggestion on just asking. You never know until you do. Try to do that at every hotel I check into – any chance for an upgrade. Doesn’t work all the time – but it does sometimes and that is awesome!
Thanks for sharing and great to hear that you are also just asking
like you say: you never know until you ask!
All solid pertinent points. Im 10 mths in to a rtw trip. It’s interesting when your perception of world travel and the reality finally join together. Here is a video I made about my own experience http://www.overlander.tv/2012/so-you-want-to-travel-the-world-the-lessons-learnt-9-5-mths-in/
Hey Mark – thanks for the comment and sharing your video sum-up – great to see you enjoying longer term travel as well
Excellent tips for those of us who are just starting out! I’m a total newbie, and you guys are definitely giving something to aspire to! Thanks!!
Thanks for the comment, and so happy to be able to inspire you
good luck with your blogging!
Thank you this post is really great, I just started travelling for 6months and have been blogging for about 4years..delving into the World of Travel blogging. I’m hoping to travel through Japan next year, money permitting and had never considered asking outright for hotels and sponsored trips so might have to look into that. You can see my Lifestyle blog at: http://www.thebigmacblog.com Keep up the great work! x
Hey Christine – thanks for the comment and great to hear you are now also traveling the world – just checked your blog, really great stuff on there
great article and great tips thanks for sharing enjoyed the read
thanks for the comment – glad you enjoyed the advice!
Hello! Your European challenge seemed so hard but so cool! I would love to do what you guys do. Where was your favourite part/country in Europe? Your tips and videos are fantastic, and hopefully i will put them to use when im older. Thanks!
Hi Priya,
Yes it was definitely a challenge but we had so much fun along the way!
My favorite part of Europe I think was the Balkan countries, I would love to explore more of them.
Wow! The balkan countries seemed really nice, especially when you guys went to Romania. Sighisoara looked really nice.
Im only 15, so i guess im a bit naive, but if i was to do what you guys do, i would be so happy! It seems you guys had a lot of fun! Im glad you guys enjoyed it, and i hope one day you will go back to the balkans 