Hey Everyone! Come see how great my life is! How NOT to be a Douche Bag blogger

Travelled the world. Experienced life-changing events. Opened your mind. Congratulations, you’re one step closer to making the world a better place.

However…there is a fine line between being an awesome blogger and being a twat.

It’s easy to want to shout from the rooftops about your amazing adventures. And why shouldn't you! You've taken that courageous step into the unknown, embraced it and (hopefully) become a better person because of it. It’s great to share your story. But don’t be a freakin’ douche bag about it.

This is not a preaching post, but simply something I’ve tried very hard not to do (and yet still found myself doing).

1.      Your life isn’t better than those who haven't travelled. Telling people they are missing out on life by not doing what you’re doing isn’t big or clever. While it is your dream (and mine) to travel the world, that doesn’t mean your friends who chose to stay at home, buy a house, start a family (and actually get on the career ladder) made the wrong decision. They are doing what makes them happy in life. And so are you. So let’s all be friends.

2.      Travellers snobbery – Even if you’ve travelled to 196 countries, there will be someone who has travelled to 197 (space is a country…right?). Einstein even admitted that no matter what you do, there will always be someone out there who is better than you at something. And let’s be honest, if Einstein could admit that, then so should you. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and in the end it’s only with yourself. (Serious bonus points if you can name that song).

3.      Travel blogging not travel bragging. Be helpful, insightful, funny, witty and entertaining. Areas where you might find resistance from fellow friends and readers.

a) ‘Look how better my life is than yours’ photos. Don't be offended if there is a lack of interest from you friends in your album 'Central America Vol. 26'

b) Shunning friends for your new-found life of enlightenment. Remember the little people when you get to the top (yes that was meant as douche baggy as it sounds)

c) I have lots of money at my disposal because of my inheritance/parental savings fund/extremely fortunate upbringing; now watch as I frit it away. This point is best illustrated by the hilarious 'Gap Yah' video

Again, this blog post wasn’t meant to sound preachy. It’s something I need much more practice at. It’s a fine line all travel bloggers tread when telling the world about their adventures. So tell others about your journey, blog, tweet, snap and share. Just don’t be a twat about it J

For now,

Jonesy ‘look at me riding this camel backwards across the Sahara in pashmina that I sewed with my feet, along with Gandhi while reading (insert difficult book here) while on my way to build huts for cute and needy endangered koalas who eat nothing but sand and have a poor diet because of it’ Jones