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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rhiannon Wood, a 26-year-old travel micro influencer who runs a social media business and leads group tours around the world. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I built my social media following from the ground up as a postgrad student working odd jobs around the world.
Today, my work as a travel influencer continues to grow by the day, both in my following and in the number of brand deals I secure. I also partner with tourism companies to earn money leading adventure group trips around the world, though I’m building my own travel agency to launch next year.
I take pride in doing everything myself, but there’s a downside to taking on all the work: it sometimes feels like I’m skirting on the edge of burnout. I work almost every day negotiating deals, planning trips, scheduling posts, and engaging with my audience.
While some influencers hire a social media agent to reduce their workload, I choose to work without one. Earlier this year, several agencies offered to take 25% to 30% of my earnings in exchange for potentially securing more brand deals — and income — for me. Ultimately, I declined. It’s unclear whether working without an agent earns me more or less money, but, for now, I prefer the freedom and control of handling the work myself.
I can post and interact with my followers exactly when and how I want. I also have a highly engaged account, which I’ve used to build trust with the online and offline communities I’ve cultivated over the years. One bad interaction could jeopardize that trust.
Still, I’ve had to learn that working every day isn’t sustainable. I’ve gotten better at stepping away from my work and making time to rest, rather than feeling like I always need to be doing something.
Here’s how I stay on top of my work while ensuring I have a life outside it.
Learn how to say no to plans
I’m normally the sort of person who says yes to everything.
But for the first time, I’m saying no to travel plans later this year and instead am choosing to stay in one place for longer. I think it’s important to recognize that rest — as much as work, travel, and having fun — is a priority, too.
I’m still learning how to say no to plans, or at least how to schedule in no plans at all. I scheduled a rest period for myself this summer because I signed up for a lot of group trips from late last year through the end of this September, and I am so glad I was able to rest for a week to reset my mind and body.
Understand what rest looks like for you
For me, rest involves stopping, sitting, and doing nothing for an entire day without feeling bad about it. I’m a big believer that taking the time to rest will eventually make you more productive.
Working out can also be a form of rest for some, including me. Going to the gym and the climbing gym is a big hobby of mine, and I never film content or do work there.
Instead, I see it as personal gain: I’m able to go at my own pace, on my own time.
Adopt a positive frame of mind
If I keep telling myself I’m burned out from work, I’ll believe it.
The same goes for telling myself that I’m rested, have a lot of time to myself, and am excited about what’s next: positive affirmations often lead me to positive results in my life and work.
I take this mindset into how I look at my account’s engagement analytics, too. While it is healthy to validate your emotions, feel them fully, and understand what is causing you stress, it’s also healthy to find a silver lining in whatever is causing it.
If I see a decrease in engagement or my follower count, I try to look at my work from an external frame of mind and be grateful for the number of spots for a group trip I’ve sold, for example, which means that the people who are going on them want to spend time with my community and me.
That’s arguably more important than my follower count, anyway.
Have delusional self-belief in yourself
I try to remind myself that taking risks is necessary if I want to be rewarded in my line of work. Nothing comes easily, and most goals require you to chip away at them little by little.
When work feels more stressful than usual, I focus on chipping away at my tasks in a sensible order.
Even if I can’t yet see exactly how my career path will unfold, I believe in myself and my ability to get where I want to go because I know I’m ambitious and have a strong work ethic.
It’s a sort of delusional self-belief, but it’s served me well. I might not have enough money or all the answers right now, but I believe I’ll find a way to make it happen.
Somehow, it usually works out.
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