Travel Blogger Interview: Steph from Big World Small Pockets

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One of our favorite Travel Blogger Steph from Big World Small Pockets was kind enough to answer just a few of the many questions we had about being one of the world’s top travel bloggers. Steph has spent a lifetime travelling the world on a shoestring budget, and started her blog as a way of ensuring she could travel whilst continuously sharing her adventures with likeminded travelers.

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What were you doing before you became a blogger and how did you made the transition?

Before I became a blogger I was backpacking in Australia on a shoestring as always! Directly before that I was at home in the UK making money to travel Australia. Before that I was travelling in South and Central America and before that I was working in the UK to make the money I needed to travel South and Central America….spot the trend?! Essentially, I’ve always either been travelling or saving up just enough money at a job to hit the road again.

Blogging came as a way for me to stop having to go home to save money and instead just travel consistently.

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What has been the most challenging moment in your blogging journey so far?

Pretty much most days as a blogger are a challenge for me! There simply isn’t enough time in the day to do everything and so prioritizing becomes a key skill.

As a perfectionist, this drives me a bit insane – I want everything done, perfectly, right here right now!

I’m not a techie, so when it comes to coding and web design I’m lost. I have to outsource all this work, which I find very frustrating, especially when my site crashes or runs slow!

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How do you balance being a globe-trotting traveler and a successful blogger?

Ummm, not very well! I think most people have the idea that bloggers log on for a few hours a week and in that time make enough to travel the world, but that’s just not the case. At least it isn’t for me!

I work 7 days a week on the blog, although when, how and where is of course flexible.

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If I can, I start and end the day with social media work and email. In between I’m either writing, editing, promoting posts, working on newsletters, or undertaking research development work to help me grow my blog. Generally I try to cram the work into either an afternoon or a morning and travel the rest of the time. Not that glamourous really!

How would you describe your blogging style?

I not only cover the highlights, but also the lowlights on budget travel.

The tone of my blog is quite light-hearted. I try to make it real and genuine, so that I not only cover the highlights, but also the lowlights of budget travel. It’s important to let your personal voice come through in your writing too, although sometimes this can be a bit daunting! Behind the scenes my blogging style is frantic! I work long and hard on it and often get frustrated that I still don’t have the time to do half the things I want!

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Who or what has impacted you most in blogging and how?

The biggest influencers on me are other successful bloggers out there living off their work. Y Travel are a real inspiration for me, partly because they are based in Australia and have undertaken a similar extended road trip around the country like me. They are one of the world’s biggest travel bloggers and always set the bar high.

My readers also make a huge impact on me. I read and reply to every single comment they make and sometimes the amazing messages they send me make my day!

Greatest achievement outside of blogging?

Creating a life that makes me happy….oh and giving up smoking!!

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What is the thing you love most about travelling?

Every day is a new adventure, be it a challenge or a joy. I love not knowing where I will be in 6 months time, who I’ll be with or what I’ll be doing. Having a life of uncertainty delights me. I don’t think I could ever survive as a 9-5er for long! As Paulo Coelho says ‘If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal’.

 

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Most unexpected experience whilst exploring a new city or country?

In Quito, Ecuador I was walking through the old town when I felt something hit my shoulder bag. Looking down, I could see a foul smelling, yellow liquid had landed on my bag as if dropped from overhead. A little confused, I saw a guy across the road trying to usher me into a building, signaling he would help me wash it. However, I guess I’m not your average sort of girl, because I thought, “not to worry, I’ll sort it out later” and kept walking!! I later discovered that I’d avoided falling victim to a regular trick locals use to rob female travelers.

The guy didn’t want to wash my bag, he wanted to rob me and was working in conjunction with another guy, likely situated overhead, that had squirted my bag with that horrible liquid! Well haha, what bad luck they had picking me! I’m probably one of the few girls that really doesn’t care what her bag looks like and would turn down the offer of having it cleaned! Better luck next time suckers!

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What advice would you give new or younger travelers that you wish you knew yourself?

Always pack half the amount of stuff you think you’ll need.

Select a small backpack (45l max) and restrict yourself to just this and a handbag or shoulder bag. You should also make sure that you pack a pair of spare sunglasses, losing your only pair while your exploring a new city is never I fun moment.  I have a pair similar to the Ray-Ban Erika sunglasses which are polarized, or I love the Ray-Ban Jackie Ohh both pairs are made from lightweight and high quality plastic with great UV protection.

Where do you want to go next?

Asia! Amazingly it’s the only continent I’ve not visited and I’m hopping with enthusiasm to finally get there this year.

All pictures belong to Steph from Big World Small Pockets, follow her Instagram account @bigworldsmallpockets

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