I wrote this on vacation some time ago. I found it in my drafts recently and thought it was still relevant today, especially in light of all the Google algorithm updates that have devastated independent travel bloggers.
I think you all are the only ones who will understand.
I’m currently spending 2 weeks in the south of France, in a beautiful town with pastel buildings and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea brushing up to its border.
Today, I went to the beach as I do each morning, and noticed a couple on the rocks that stretch out into the sea taking photos. She was dressed in espadrille heels and a pleated skirt and had long dirty blonde hair. He had a huge camera in front of his face.
The girl reminded me of a popular fashion blogger I follow with over a million followers.
I finished my croissant and went for a swim. A few hours later, I go to the grocery store in the center of town and do some shopping. On my way back to my apartment, I see the couple again, and sure enough, it’s that blogger.
Last I saw on Instagram she was in the south of France so not too surprising she came here. I’ll leave out her name but you probably know who I’m talking about if you follow her on Instagram.
Now, here’s what happened next. The girl walks up to a storefront and says “What about here?” and before her boyfriend even replies, she walks quickly down the street, her head turning every second in a different direction.
Keep in mind this was a small town with a really slow pace of life.
No one walks fast here.
I thought about stopping and talking to her but she was so wrapped up in location scouting and shooting that it would have been really awkward so I continued on.
As I walked away, I realized that being an “influencer” really isn’t all that glamorous. She was wearing a beautiful, yet really impractical dress and heeled espadrilles in 80+ degree weather.
I’m sure her pictures will end up being photoshopped to remove the sweat from her skin. As an influencer, you’re only as good as your last photo and it’s a never-ending cycle of constant content creation.
The south of France is one of the most gorgeous & fascinating regions in France, if not the world, and this girl was walking around as quickly as possible trying to find the best background for a photo shoot.
She didn’t stop to smell the lemons in the boutiques or watch the soft live music playing in the adorable restaurant square. She didn’t speak to the locals or get lost by wandering off the beaten path.
I get it, this is her business. I’m a content creator, too.
Even though it seems like blogging for a living is the dream life, sometimes I’m glad I’m able to travel without it being the entire part of my job because I actually get to experience the place I go to.
Not just take photos.
Happy travels!