Reflecting on my own behaviours: what can I learn from my travels and blogging?

When I look at the numbers, the dots on maps, or colourful infographics, it’s easy to get caught up in what they show. But when I take a step back, I realise they tell me something more. These metrics — impressions on content, train journeys saved, or mapped-out travels — are more than just data points. They’re reflections of how I live, connect, and contribute. So, what can I learn from the way I travel, blog, and share?

Content as connection

The content stats tell me that ideas resonate when they’re shared with purpose. But they also make me question: Am I just chasing visibility, or am I really creating value? It’s easy to get drawn into the numbers, but the real challenge is to focus on what the numbers mean. When I write, I want to spark conversations, not just clicks. Am I speaking directly to people’s challenges and hopes? How often am I asking questions instead of offering answers?

For me, blogging has become a way to reflect on what I care about and to connect with others who might be grappling with the same issues. But I’ve learned that connection only happens when I’m authentic and curious — when I’m more interested in understanding than in proving a point. So, the question I’m asking myself is: Am I creating space for others to respond, to collaborate, to join the conversation?

Sustainability is a journey

The train travel infographic gave me a little jolt. 1.35 tonnes of CO2 saved is something to feel good about, but it also made me wonder: What habits can I build on to go further? Travelling by train instead of driving wasn’t a grand plan — it was a series of small, everyday choices. But those choices add up.

It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t about big gestures. It’s about the little things we do consistently, even when no one’s looking. Am I applying this thinking to other parts of my life? In my work, do I find small ways to reduce waste, save energy, or do things better? This insight challenges me to stop waiting for the “perfect” solution and instead focus on the next step, however small.

Mapping influence and movement

The map of my travels across Europe tells me something I didn’t expect. Every dot represents more than a destination — it’s a lesson learned, a new perspective gained, or a connection made. Looking at the map, I’m asking myself: What am I bringing back from these journeys?

When I travelled from Brighton to Berlin, Lisbon to Athens, it wasn’t just about the places I saw. It was about what those places taught me — about culture, people, and how different systems work. Am I carrying those lessons into my work and life? Or am I just collecting experiences? Movement, whether it’s geographical or metaphorical, is only valuable if I reflect on it and let it shape what I do next.

Reflections

These insights aren’t just about what I’ve done — they’re a prompt for what I need to keep doing.

• be intentional in how I communicate: Am I focused on the people I’m trying to reach, or just the numbers? I want to write and share in ways that invite curiosity and collaboration.
• embed sustainability in small steps: What new habit can I start today, even if it feels minor? Whether it’s travelling differently or working more efficiently, I know those small shifts matter.
• embrace movement and reflection: Every journey, literal or figurative, offers something to learn. Am I making time to process those lessons and letting them shape how I work and live?

This reflection reminds me that every action — big or small — contributes to the bigger picture. Whether it’s blogging, travelling, or working, I want to lead with curiosity, act with care, and stay open to what’s next. So, here’s my challenge to myself: What’s my next step? How can I measure my impact beyond the numbers? And most importantly, how can I bring others along for the ride? Let’s make those dots on the map count — not just for what they show, but for what they mean.