If there was a way to condense travel during the twenty-tens into a single quote, it would probably be ‘’collect memories, not things’’.
This decade (do we have a snappy name for it yet?), after two years of turmoil which saw our collective, collected memories concern a global crisis we’d rather quickly forget, we expect the idea of experiences trumping possessions to be more pertinent than ever.
But with many self-reporting pandemic related problems with memory following so long spent indoors and without stimulation, the onus to collect memories in a more tangible way looks set to be a key travel trend for the twen-twens (snappy enough for you?).
As 2022 begins in earnest, and as you set off on your first travel adventure since 2019BC (before COVID), how are you going to document your trip in all the technicoloured, descriptive detail it deserves?
Whether you’re keen to keep Mum informed that you’ve survived another day without getting kidnapped, or you’re just looking to make your friends back in the UK as jealous as possible, here are 5 of the best ways to document your travel adventures in 2022.
WRITE A TRAVEL BLOG
Writing a travel blog is a great way to record your travel adventures in as much descriptive, delicious detail as possible. In fact, many believe travel blogging to be the best way to truly document your escapades; after all, photography and video are only able to capture so much.
Writing, on the other hand, offers the opportunity for observation and reflection, and for those with a wicked way with words, travel blogging can be a wonderful outlet.
You can write a blog just for fun, or you could use your blog as a way to make money while you’re on the move. Some writers who start off writing casual blogs may even end up becoming professional bloggers. To help you get started writing your travel blog, keep the following ideas in mind:
- Define your unique writing style (there’s plenty of competition so it helps to stand out).
- Ensure that you have a suitable device to write on.
- Check the types of storage on your device (unless you manage your storage space smartly, you might find that your laptop runs slowly).
- Do plenty of research, taking inspiration from your favourite travel writers.
- Combine your musings and memories with photos for a fuller experience for the reader.
KEEP A VIDEO DIARY OR VLOG
Unless you spent the previous decade living under an undocumented rock, you’ll know that the term ‘vlogging’ is a portmanteau of ‘video’ and ‘blogging’. Like blogging, vlogging is a wonderful way to document your travel adventures, allowing you to reach a potentially wider audience than ‘traditional’ blogging owing to the unstoppable rise of video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Some people start travel vlogging as a hobby or a way to keep far flung family members up-to-date. But others have found that their pursuits can generate enough income to become their full-time profession. Whether you’re in the former or the latter, keeping a video diary is a wonderful way to record your experiences.
You don’t need any special equipment, just an iPhone camera and a little bit of creativity. If you’re keen to get into travel vlogging, do keep these tips in mind:
- Focus your vlogs on certain activities/places (instead of filming everything).
- Music can help to add to the mood of your video.
- Improvised vlogs are great, but they can also be useful to plan some of your content.
- Find your niche, such as food vlogging or wildlife documenting, and focus all your attention on that speciality.
PUT MORE EFFORT INTO YOUR PHOTOS
Bringing up travel photography can feel almost old fashioned after discussing vlogging, but there is still so much to be enjoyed and shared through a superb photo album composed of your adventures.
As the National Geographic writes “when traveling, you’re likely to encounter all sorts of situations and subjects”. This means that there will also be a focus for your travel photography; the problem with this is that, sometimes, it can be hard to know when to stop snapping.
Take as many photos of your travelling trip as possible, sure, but remember, of course, that you don’t have to post them all on social media. There are plenty of other ways that you can preserve your pics. You might print them out into a photo album. Alternatively, you could print one or two on a canvas and display them in your home. Go further, and consider getting a drone for even better shots.
Quality not quantity, we think, is essential here. Check out these tips on how to make your travel photos more professional for more on improving the quality of yours!
WRITE A JOURNAL
Speaking of ‘old fashioned’, there’s still something rather romantic about documenting your adventures in a more traditional way, by using a pen and paper. Indeed, if you’re the creative, nostalgic type, you might like the idea of writing a travel journal. Writing a journal is a wonderful way to record your travelling adventures. There are lots of different ways that you can use a travel journal including:
- Writing about your daily activities.
- Reflections and emotions about your trip.
- Poetry based on your experiences.
- Sketches of the landscape and buildings.
- Itineraries to plan your days.
One of the best things about documenting your travel adventures in a journal is that it feels confessional and personal. You don’t have to show it to anyone or publish it anywhere, and that can lead to some of the most thoughtful reflections you’ll ever make.
BUY SOUVENIRS
Collect memories, not things, you say? Sometimes, real, tangible things are rather useful as a way of preserving memories, we have to admit.
So, another great way to record your travelling trip is to buy souvenirs. Some people like to buy a souvenir from each town, attraction or country that they visit, and it’s a great way to document your adventures and preserve your memories in a palpable, physical way.
THE BOTTOM LINE
As you can see there are so many different ways you can record your travels. As time passes, memories fade, but recording your trip can help you to hold on to your wonderful experiences. Whether you’re backpacking through rural destinations or going on a luxury holiday, you’ll want to hold onto every moment.