Starting a Food and Travel Blog in 2026 Is Not a Walk in the Park
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With AI, software platforms and everything in between, some may say it’s really easy to start a blog and manage it to its fullest in 2026. I’m here to rant and tell you why I beg to differ. While a bot can spit out a 1,000-word article in seconds (p.s., I still WTF on that), it cannot taste the street food in Barbados for you. AND, it certainly doesn’t feel the jet lag.
I wish someone had told me that “easier tools” just meant “higher expectations.” Below are 5 things I’ve learned about keeping it real in a world of digital noise.
I have a big dream list of things I want to do with this blog. If you’re new here, you’ll notice there isn’t much to begin with. Blogging takes time when you do it the right way.
I’m eager to get things going, like uploading all the recipes I’ve tested or developed that I’m dying to share. Or the travel stories in the form of audio, because why not add podcasting to something that’s already time-consuming?
As my travels continue throughout the year, my hard drive fills up. This is a privilege I am very grateful for. The anxiety in me builds as I stress over unfinished projects.
I’m curious, dear reader, if you’re a fellow blogger, what are some of the tips you can share that keep you consistent in making your content? I’d love to hear it!
Note to myself: I’m mentioning the year 2026, just in case I want to come back to this, when the robot is doing my laundry in a few years. Ya know? I want to come back to this chat. See how far we’ve come. Ya know?
Authenticity Is Your Only Algorithm-Proof Armour
In 2026, the internet is flooded with “perfect” AI-generated travel guides. It’s making me sick already. I love reading human stories. People are–and have been–starving for human imperfection. Talk about the meal that was actually terrible or the flight you missed.
For food and travel, your personal perspective is the only thing a machine cannot replicate.
Share stories because you love them, not because a keyword told you to do so.
Hypocrisy Note:
Yes, I’m being a hypocrite here. Yes, I use AI. It’s actually been incredibly helpful in drafting ideas or creating categories and topics for me to think and be more creative. But, at the end of the day, the stories of travelling and food recipes on this blog are coming from me. I’m in the kitchen, cooking the thing, and I’m in the place, exploring the things.
2. Consistency Over Intensity (The “Snail Approach)
Everyone talks about “grinding,” but I wish I knew that it’s better to post once a fortnight for a year than every day for a month than disappear. I literally just did this at the start of the year.
Scheduling isn’t about being a robot; it’s about respect for your readers. If they know you show up on Tuesdays, they’ll look for you. It makes sense. I look for posts from the people I follow!
To Do:
Set a minimum viable pace that doesn’t lead to burnout.
3. The “Zero-Dollar” Productivity Stack
This is my favourite. You don’t need a $100/month sub to be a pro. Before you buy the fancy AI suites and premium plugins, use the basics:
The Good Ol’ Bath Method: Cook three recipes or edit ten travel photos in one sitting.
The Notebook: Ideas hit hardest when you’re away from the screen (Mine happen when I’m in bed sleeping.) Document them immediately so you aren’t staring at a blank cursor later.
4. Affiliate Links: The “Fuel” For The Journey
Let’s be transparent: I include affiliate links in my posts. Why? While sharing these stories is rewarding, the “small things” like the domain hosting, the extra espresso for late-night edits, or the train ticket in Europe, all add up, babe. Using these links is a way for you to support the content you love without it costing you a dime extra, especially if it’s a purchase you plan to buy to make your life better.
5. Community IS The New SEO
In 2026, Google is a fickle friend. Instead of chasing “clicks”, chase connections. Reply to every comment (I have none yet, so I’m hoping you’ll comment below <3). Ask your readers what they’re cooking this weekend.
A small, loyal audience that actually trusts your travel recs is worth ten times more than a million random “drive-bys.”
Why I’m Still Doing It…
Despite the rant, if this was even one, really, blogging is still one of the most rewarding ways to live a creative life. There is something magical about knowing that a recipe I shared is being cooked in a kitchen halfway across the world, or that my travels may have inspired someone to leave the house and go somewhere they’ve been dreaming of.
