Why I’m Starting a Travel Blog: The Park Run Analogy

Let me start with a little analogy that might just help explain why I’ve decided to jump into this travel blog thing.

A few years ago, I found myself more than ready to retire.

The company needed to deliver some changes before I could exit, and my role continued to gradually reduce - similar to kicking your heels whilst waiting for a Park Run  to get under way. When I exited at 55, I was off on my next adventure: retirement.

I went off at a bit of a sprint, burning up the pent up energy travelling extensively for 18 months - full throttle, diving into travel at an unsustainable pace. I quickly realised it was an unsustainable pace and recognised the need to transition and focused on what really mattered to me — enjoying the journey.

I started paying attention to my breathing, adjusting my pace, and taking in the sights a bit more. That’s where I find myself today: in balance, enjoying travel at a pace that feels right for me, while also managing the rest of life’s commitments. I’ve made room in my day to take on some more interests and try something new.

I don’t have a bottomless pit of money to fund my travels, but I’ve always had time. So, I’m used to researching, carefully picking destinations, timing trips just right, and finding deals wherever I can. I’ve learned to stack those deals and make every trip count without breaking the bank.

I’ve received a lot of encouragement from family and friends to share the travel hacks and tips I’ve gathered over the years. That’s why I’m starting this blog: to document my journey, share what I’ve learned (the wins and the mistakes), and hopefully help others find their own travel groove. I’ll share my strategies as part of real life plannin

g for my trips over the next 12 months, hoping they can help you plan your own trips—whether that’s your dream vacation or just a weekend getaway.

The road to figuring this all out isn’t quick, and I know there’s plenty of learning ahead. But I’m committed to this blog for at least a year to see where it takes me. Who knows?

Thanks for joining me on this journey—let’s see where it goes!