Your first post is always daunting. It’s meant to be this fantastic piece of art that will have your page views reach the millions. Well, at least that’s the pressure I felt since I’ve run the popular family travel blog, Travel With Bender, for the last 5 years.
I remember when I started Travel With Bender back in May 2012. I wrote a very diary based blog post from my balcony in Ubud and added some blurry photos I had taken on my phone. It was an online journal I wrote just for my friends and family. And that was enough.
My awesome 2012 photography skills
Within 6 months I had over 6,000 page views. And that wasn’t just my friends and family. I remember how excited I was, how ecstatic to realise that my writing was being read by real people. And although it added clarity to the goal and future of what turned out to be a very successful blog, in the end, it didn’t ultimately matter. Even if only one person continued to read what I wrote and took the time to tell me. It was enough.
So here I sit.
Attempting to start over.
This weekend I travelled to the very bottom of Australia (some would say the bottom of the world!) to gain inspiration. I never intended to take a break from blogging. It doesn’t feel like a job to me and the first few months were near unbearable. It was a decision violently thrust upon me, against my wishes. It really hurt and time felt like it stood still. Tick, tick, tick. The clock kept ticking. It seems impossible to me that I sit here now, with nearly six months’ absence under my belt.
Do I still know how to write even? When the person who wrote all those things seemingly no longer exists?
I stare at my keyboard and then out the window.
There’s no Wi-Fi in the majority of Airbnb’s in Australia, so distraction is minimal. I can’t browse Facebook. The TV has no Netflix or Amazon Fire (I seriously don’t know how they live without it!). It only plays remote local TV stations, which I can’t bring myself to even turn on.
Instead, I sit in silence and stare out the large, glass window. It has at least 4 panes and covers one whole wall. Outside I can see a road, a patch of grass, and then the beach. The waves are crashing against the shore, giving my heart a steady rhythm. The only competing sound is the humming of the heater and the tapping of my keyboard.
I fear writer’s block.
I procrastinate and message my blogging friend, Exploramum, “it’s too hard.” She doesn’t respond, she’s probably asleep somewhere in Africa. So I look at the blank white paper again.
Barely a second passes before my fingers start skipping over the keyboard.
Like most fears, mine are unfounded.
The words pour out and I can’t stop them.
There are a few tears, but there’s mostly giggles as I realise something very profound.
I’m back.
I look out the window at the ocean again. I can smell the sea salt through the small opening in the window and I feel the smallest chill from the cool breeze skimming across the tops of the waves. I adore the water. The sea always calms me and I perhaps find more self-awareness than I recognised previously.
That’s been happening a lot lately.
I am not back.
I never left.
I merely took a sabbatical, a break, a breather. A forced realignment to come back to the place I always knew was there.
Who I am did not disappear. Who I want to be has grown stronger. And what I write is still inside me. Busting to be let out and shared with you all.
And whether one of you read this. Or ten of you devour it. Or all of my previous readers share it around excitedly (go on, you know you want to). I know only one of you will be enough.
So welcome, my friends, back to my blog. My passion. My love.
I’m excited to invite you back along for the ride.
There’s much to consider. A lot that isn’t known.
What happens when you stop nomadic travel? How does an abnormal family fit into a normal world? Where did all that weight go? Just what the hell have you been doing for six months? Are you staying in Melbourne? Do you ever want to travel again? And so on and so on.
Won’t you stick around to find out?
Whether you are planning on taking off like we did or perhaps just staying home like we are now, we’d love to help you find your feet. And maybe, just maybe, you could help us find ours.
I invite you to Explore with Erin.
Hello, it’s me you’re looking for.
Photos have improved, yes?
If you have a moment will you leave me a comment, please? I’d love to know perhaps when you first read my work. Or perhaps we’ve met, remind me where and how. Please fill this space with your encouragement as I strap on my armour and hop back on my horse.
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[…] did we get here? What is so different about us? And who knew you could still travel the world… with […]
Thanks for sharing your travelling experience with us. I can see in your pictures how happy you are.
Thanks Polina. And thanks for finding me and taking the time to comment. It means a lot.
Awesome posts, All the blogs are really inspiring for travel junkies…
There you are!!!!!! I found you again! You’ve been missing from my trawling online life. You look fabulous. You sound so strong. Cannot wait to read more. One blog post read… on to the rest x
I am so glad you found me Sky. Thank you for your sleuthing! It’s a new site but there is a lot more to come.
Glad you’re back!
So, no more nomadic travel?
Just keep moving forward!!
So glad you found me Sheila! We are definitely moving forward… In leaps and bounds!
Sorry I was asleep! I think it might have been the middle of the night in Kenya.
But I’m glad you found your mojo and wrote the first (of many) articles on your exciting new website.
Congratulations – it is a very exciting new chapter!
Same to you Ruth. So great to see you in Melbourne. Hugs!
Love your energy, looking forward to following your work and adventures!
Cheers from Mexico!
Thanks Katie. Thanks for joining me!
Hi Erin – Love this post!! Have always loved your writing! Congrats on the new website!
That is so sweet and thank you for following along for so long. I appreciate it.
❤️ Looking forward to many more great posts!
Thank you Lanora!
We’ve never met and you don’t know this but it was YOU that inspired and rekindled my interest to write again as I did when I was younger and before corporate life took over. Thanks to your blog posts I realised it was ok to share pieces of myself and all aspects of our lives.
Very happy that you didn’t stop or give up and even better that I can keep reading your blog posts!
So glad you are back blogging again!! Can’t wait to see what you get up to next!
Nothing for nothing. You look FREAKING amazing. Best of everything to you, Erin.
So happy you’re ‘back’!! I’ve been waiting for the launch since I stumbled upon your Facebook page awhile back, and I can’t wait to see where your super-fantastic new journey will take you cuz I’m sure it’ll be amazing!
Thank you so much for being so patient and for your encouragement <3
Wondered where you had been! I enjoy reading your blog posts! I don’t travel with kids and don’t travel nearly enough but love reading travel blogs. Welcome back!
This blog will certainly be focusing less on family travel, so I welcome you. Thanks for coming back.
I only recently heard about what happened, and wondered where you had been! You may not remember me, but we met at WITS16 – my very first travel blogging conference, and where I suddenly had the realization that my blog could be more than just a hobby.
I attended your panel and was immediately blown away. You were such a fountain of information! I scribbled and scratched as quick as I could to take away as much as I could.
The kicker though? I talked to you after the panel and you were so kind, so humble. Here you were this amazing blogger – a force to be reckoned with, and you took the time to just chat with me, this newbie who was just dipping her toe in the water.
I just wanted to say thank you for that. It really meant a lot to me, and I can’t wait to follow your adventures here. You’ve got a fan for life!
This is such a beautiful comment and I am almost in tears. I love this story and I love that you shared it with me. Thank you for finding my new home and sticking with this Aussie chick.
Love the new site and you are going to rock the house with anything you do. Congrats and keep it going!
Heidi, love you girl.
Welcome back Erin! We’ve missed you ❤❤❤
Awwww love this, thank you!
Congrats on your new blog! Life is full of hurtles and I’m glad to see you overcame yours.
Biggest hurdle of my entire life. Thanks for the support, Carmen.
Congrats, Erin!!! I am so excited for you as well as inspired by you. I have no doubt Explore with Erin will be a success!
Terri, you know I love you. Thank you for your support.
I enjoy your writing and love your sense of adventure! Looking forward to many more posts. Maybe one day we’ll meet on our travels.
Thanks Michelle. I so hope we meet somewhere around the world.
Congratulations on your new blog! Looking forward to following your new adventures, Erin!
Thanks Valerie.
Onwards and upwards. Congratulations on the new blog!
Thank you so much Lerato.
I enjoy reading your blogs glad to are back
I am so glad you found me again Irene. Welcome.
Many of us have been waiting for your return. Happy to see you writing and sharing again. Also super sorry you had to take that time but I suspect this will translate into even more amazing content moving forward. LOVE he new logo so much!!
That is such a nice thing to say and thank you for your kind words. I am so excited about Explore with Erin and absolutely adore the new logo too 😀
So glad to see you back and writing again! Your new site looks awesome!
We met on Snapchat and you had Jennie Garth do a shout out to me in a snap when you met her at a blog conference last year. One of the coolest things anyone has ever done for me!
So glad you like it. OMG yes I remember that. It was such a pleasure and I’m so glad I was able to do that for you. Did you keep the video?
Hello…i’ve found you. I stumbled across you first as Travel with Bender when I was looking for good travel snapchat stories to follow. I’ve stuck with you on the new page and looking forward to the adventures to come.
Do you still follow me on Snapchat? I took a few months break, but I’m back! So glad you found me on the web.
Welcome back!! I loved your blog before and I’m going to like this one even more!! I can’t wait to follow this new journey you’re on. Congrats!!
Mara, what a wonderful thing to say. Thank you so much.
YASSSSSS. GO GET IT. <3 <3 <3
Girl, you know it. Thanks for commenting 😀
Congrats Erin! Look forward to “traveling” with you!
Thank you, Raquel. Glad you are exploring with me.
Boy, I had to scroll past a lot of love and support to add mine! I’m so happy for your new (ad)venture! You’ve got this.
Yes… Turned out I didn’t have 1 reader or 10. But I love each and every comment so thanks for scrolling so far Paige 🙂
Welcome back Erin. And welcome to your new adventure.
More of a welcome home, then welcome back, but I so appreciate it. Thanks Carol!
I love the new site! I don’t think we’ve ever met in person, but I’d love to! I’m so happy to read your words again. I forget when I first did. Kid brain, I’m sure. Welcome back!
Okay, so when can we make this happen, Brittany? And thanks for coming over.
First killer post: CHECK! 😉
Girl! Thank you so much. See you somewhere soon.
Welcome back, Erin! Feeling such great energy after reading this, and very excited for you!
Thank you Kate. I do believe I found my mojo back 😀
Lovely to read your writing again. I first started following your blog when you were in Penang.
WOW! That was many years ago – over 5. So awesome you are still here and thank you Melanie.
So happy to see you back! Great things are ahead of you 😀 I am 100% sure!
I will completely believe you 😀
Erin – first time reading your stuff, now I want to read the travel blog to catch up!! Did you turn off its life support?
Hi Jenn, welcome and how exciting it’s your first time reading. The other blog is still alive, you can visit it for sure. All my articles are still sitting there, I just have not been contributing to it for the last 6 months.
It’s so good to see you back again. I’m really looking forward to following your travels and this next exciting stage in your blogging journey.
You have been an amazing help, thank you Kathryn.
Congrats on the fresh start. I’ll read with interest.
So great to have you here Julie. Thanks for commenting.
So glad to see you back! Can’t wait to see what is next from you! Go get ’em!
It’s good to be back. Hope I see you in Melbourne soon!
I am so freaking excited for you! Back and better than ever!!
Much better. Thanks for being so supportive, Julie, I adore you.
Great to see you back sharing your adventures! Well done x love your logo too!
Thank you Bron and welcome back.
So glad we connected on Insta and bonded over a love of sweet stuff at Donut Fest! Can’t wait to explore again in November!
Best decision ever was to reach out to your sweet tooth. See you in November <3
Erin! You were one of my first inspirations to quit the normal and travel! I’m so proud of you for persevering and will continue to follow along!
That is great to hear Lindsay and thank you for following me over here. Keep going with your journey.
Go you! So happy to see this and can’t wait to follow your adventures <3
Thanks so much Hannah.
You handle transition with such grace and fortitude! This is exactly why you have such a community surrounding you that is constantly inspired by everything you are. Looking forward to following your journey!
Eulanda, that is such a beautiful thing to say. Mind you, you missed Dec to March where there was not so much grace and fortitude lol. But I’m back and I’m so thankful to everyone who has surrounded me. The support is incredible.
Brilliant blog. I didn’t follow TWB but I’ll be following Erin without doubt!!!
A new reader – I love to hear that! Thanks for coming over Sarah!
I have been looking forward to your new site Erin! To new starts!!
It’s exciting, isn’t it? Thanks for waiting so patiently.
Thanksgiving 2012 in Chiangmai! I met you and your fam about 6 months into your travels. Well done on the new blog. Congrats!
WOW! That was 5 years ago. I tasted pumpkin pie for the very first time haha. Thanks for still following Kris. I hope you are your family are well.
So glad you found youre ‘new’ you keep on writing and growing in (to) youre new live! Love Harold
Thanks Harold so much.
Well, for someone who thought having but one reader, this post exceeded all expectations! We don’t know each other: I am a follower of Alyson and her Worldtravelfamily, and as such have read the occasional post. I am Belgian, living in France ( God’s country?!), happily married for 25 years, 3 young adult kids, and doing a PhD …. AND we loooove travel. That sums it up I think…. or no it doesn’t! Anyhow: keep writing, I’ll be back for more!
It did exceed expectations. Like an insane amount. I am in awe of all the support. And I love Alyson. Met her in London one year with Gwen Stefani. I’m so glad she sent you over. Thanks for following and stay in touch!
So excited to see where this next chapter in blogging will take you. 🙂
Me too. Thanks Jenna.
This is great Erin. I feel once a writer, always a writer. If you did it ONCE you can surely do it again and I am sure EWE will only be bigger and better than TWB as it grows. Good luck hun!
I should have known that before, but I believe it now. It’s in my blood. Thank you so much for your support and yay for Explore With Erin!
Well done Erin! I’m reading, and loving your words 🙂
Thank you Johanna and thanks for commenting.
Hi Erin, I’ve been following your travels for a few years I think, I don’t quite remember when, perhaps 2014 some time? Our family left Australia to travel nomadically in May. I notice you aren’t listed on the Travel With Bender website anymore. Much love to you as you navigate your new path <3
Hi Linn, so glad to hear you started your own journey. Where are you? Wow, long time follower, so good to hear. It’s very unfortunate about TWB, but good to have you here.
When one door closes, another opens. You’re back with a bang. Well done. Looking forward to following your new journey.
Thanks, Lynn. This is a very pretty door, right?
Welcome back kid (even though you never left)…..and your photos have definitely improved, probably cause you let your kids take them these days :)…i kid i kid.
So much love for you,
Mike
Mike, you know my 8-year-old is the best photographer in the world. So I have no doubt about my photos being so awesome lol. Love to you and Anne. Thanks for the support.
Yay!!! I have been waiting. So excited your back!!!
Thank you for waiting so patiently and eagerly. And welcome!
Erin, I have never read Travel with Bender, but found this after it was shared by Alyson Long of Living Differently. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as we’re just about to finish a 14 month trip around Europe and I’m nervous about returning to ‘normal’ life. Like you at the beginning, I have been writing a blog mostly for family and friends and as a record of our trip. I recently asked on a couple of Facebook groups I’m in if anyone else out there has been through the same process and could share any tips or advice, but nobody had much to share. And most ‘travel’ blogs are about getting you started and keeping you going, not how to cope when it all comes to an end. So I look forward to any insights you might have and just to knowing someone else is going through that same readjustment.
Thanks.
Hi Sarah – we are at the end of 13 months in Europe in our Campervan and returning ‘home’.
Apprehensive and excited.
Would love to hook up for some mutual support!! You can find me on FB my blog page is Veedubadventures
Yay people reaching people. Love it!
Hi Sarah
Thanks for your message. Would love to hook up – I feel support might well be needed over the coming months! I’ll messsge you via your blog. You can find me at ownyourdays.co.uk.
Sarah
Hi Sarah and welcome. Thanks so much to Alyson for sending you over. You are right. My last blog was all about Living the Dream, but what happens when you stop? All I know is most of it is mental and if you got back to your life ready and excited, your life will continue to be awesome and exciting. I look forward to writing more about my journey, just for you.
Thanks so much Erin! Look forward to reading your insights and explorations! X
Thanks for writing, Sarah.
Yay so happy and excited to follow your newest adventure. I remember when I first found Travel with Bender (and even more glad I took the time to write and tell you at the time after reading what that meant 🙂 ). Your kids were slightly older than mine and it really inspired me to change how I viewed travel with kids from impossible to lots of fun! Now look at us!!
Looking forward to celebrating your new venture with a glass of wine tomorrow 🙂
Girl, you know I admire you so much. I am so glad we met that day in Melbourne years ago. See you tonight!
So excited to keep up with your new page!
Thanks for joining me Marie.
Looking forward to reading your stories again
Yay, you came. Thanks, Tikva.
Yay!!!!!! Cheering you on Erin! I know you will rise above and accomplish even greater things!
I am holding you to that. Thanks, Hilarye.
Congrats! Your writing is still just as awesome and you’ll have a whole new set of adventures with which to inspire us. Thanks for sharing the journey!
Oh, thank you so much.
So excited to see your new journey. Sometimes life takes a different path than planned and you are handling it with grace. Best of luck to you and your kids!
Grace and integrity and my mantra. Thank you for your kind words.
I know there are exciting things ahead because nothing can quiet your voice. And I mean that in the best possible way! Wishing you much love and success.
Hahaha literally and figuratively. Thanks, Tam.
Welcome back! TWB inspired me to start planning our fulltime travels. We plan to launch April 2018. Our son will be 5 and daughter will be 2 years old by then.
So excited to hear that and to have been able to help in your decision. Which direction?
So excited for you, Erin. This is beautiful.
Thank you Emily.
Best of Luck Erin! Love new beginnings, and you are embracing this one like a truly fierce woman!
A well located AirBnB can be the inspiration for so much!
Cheers,
Emily
New beginnings can be hard, but my fierceness is harder lol. Thanks Emily.
Good luck with your new venture! What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Live strong!
I hope so!
Great to see you back again. I’d read your blog before I met you IRL we sat together on a bus going to see The Blueman Group in NYC. I was with my LinkedMoms business partner Paula.
I have followed you loyaly since.
I remember that. And what a great show that was too! Thanks for staying with me Margarita.
Welcome back! I hoped you’d spread your wings and fly again! Looking forward to following your new journey. ?
Oh, thank you so much for believing in me.
Wonderful, Erin. A new chapter begins. Onward and upward! xo
Feels like a whole new book – bigger and better 😀
Hi Erin, I’m in Perth and read a lot of TWB. I travel with kids too and hope to get out long term in the next few years so will be reading along with you! Interested to hear about becoming normal again because I know it was hard for me to fit back in when I returned from years overseas before I had kids.
Fiona, thanks for taking the time to write. I look forward to swapping stories with you next time I’m in Perth.
Welcome back! You’ve been missed and can’t wait to see your newest adventures!
Thanks sweet stuff.
Welcome back! YOu were missed.
So sweet, thank you.
Hi Erin, so excited to see your new site. I had been following TWB for years and it was one of the first nomadic family blogs I came across. I am sure it helped us take our first 6 month break with the kids in 2015. We have met a few times at Travel Massive and Melbourne blogging events. Congrats on the new site!
Will I see you tonight, Dawn?
Can’t wait to read about your new adventures!
Thanks so much Shobha.
Great first article! I’m excited to see everything to come in this new chapter of your life!
Thanks Anna… I’m getting excited too.
Glad to see you back – been following your story for years via Travel with Bender and looking forward to more here! 🙂 Congrats on your new site!
Thanks Sheralyn and thanks for your continual support.
Great to see your back
Feels so good.
Hi Erin,
Congratulations on starting over with a bang! Best of luck as this new adventure begins.?
Thank you Debbie.
so excited for you!!! Can’t wait to see your writing
Cheers Pattie!
Beautiful. Welcome back, my friend. You’ve been missed. I can’t wait to follow your journey.
That’s so lovely to hear. I missed everyone as well.
So glad you’re back! I love the new blog focus. Subscribing on Bloglovin’ right now.
Yay! Thanks Melinda.
Beautifully written. Have been through a similar journey myself. Can’t wait to meet you this week and share a drink.
See you tonight Tara. I look forward to hearing your story.
Happy to see you back. I have a feeling you will have more than 1 follower ?
Seems so haha.
I am reading and liking a lot.
Oh that is so nice. Thanks Jan.
Welcome back Erin!
Cheers, Steph.
Beautifully written, and writing I’ve been missing since you left Travel with Bender. I know the time has been hard, but I have faith your strength and passion will make you stronger and better. I can’t wait to follow along with you and your families adventures!
Robin, what a beautiful comment. Thank you. I am so glad you noticed my absence, that’s what I want people to feel. Thank you for coming over.
So proud of you lady! This is just the first step to so many amazing and incredible things! Can’t wait to see where the next year and years take you!
Thanks for being there every step of the way.
Happy to see you writing again! I’ve been waiting for this blog to launch!
That is so awesome to hear, haha, thank you.
Congratulations Erin! I can’t wait to follow you on your new path. And yes, your photography has improved 🙂
Haha, right? I’m a professional now lol.
Happy you are back! You were one of the first travel blogs I started following, so it’s nice to hear your “voice” again.
That is so nice to hear, thank you, Shannon.
Love this article. You have such a wonderful way of writimg. Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you for being unavailable and forcing me to write lol.
SOOOOOO excited to see you writing again!! The world needs to hear from Erin! You go, girl!!
Thank you so much. I adore you guys.
Thank you. Thank you so much.