7 Things in 7 Years - The Blog's Anniversary

Seven things.

Seven years.

This is my blogiversary! That’s not just a milestone, that’s almost a doctoral thesis in staying online. I’ve weathered algorithm drama, creative highs, creative lows and platform updates 3.920 (give or take however many times they’ve moved the 'publish' button).

Because did you know, that months after launching this website, it somehow unlinked from Google? And yours truly didn't know. Worst part, it has happened twice.

But like social media sage, Becca Bloom, I am giving myself a treat for 'committing to doing my best.' Staying the course. Occasionally tripping up but doing it stylishly.

I like recommending products or experiences that align with the themes and values of this blog. So yes, there are affiliate links in this post. If you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

---

This August marked seven years of Girl Well Travelled blog. En route to let the anniversary slip by but then two things happened. The blog won Most Immersive Travel Review Blog 2025 in the Resorts & Retreats Awards by LuxLife Magazine. Not only that, yours truly, became a Skyscanner Creator. At that point, a little self-congratulation felt not just allowed but mandatory. So while I consider what copper or wool gift to treat myself with, here's to seven years in, with seven things worth raising a glass to.

1. The Blog Award Glow-Up

Winning Most Immersive Travel Review Blog, I prepared a speech. Oscar winning, no less.

I thanked the countless lattes that fuelled the words. And of course you my readers who've returned time and time again for my fairy tales. Then graciously accepted on behalf of all the carry-on luggage cases that held under pressure.

Of course, there were tears. All of them, mine. Mostly because I remembered how many nights I spent editing out my thumb from all the best shots. Always the best shots. And as the applause faded (in my head), I promised to keep bringing you journeys so vivid, you'll experience the jet lag with me.

2. Skyscanner Creator Status

Officially, my blog now has an upgrade. If my posts were luggage cases, they’d be stamped priority. The good news, is that some of you my readers have already seen the link and has been clicking and booking. Even better news for you, is I don't know its you. Or where you're going. Or even when you're going.

3. The Most Read Blog Post

That review of Harrods Champagne Bar still reigns supreme. Why? Possibly the universal love of bubbles. More likely because my mother has been enthusiastically re-reading and sharing it on every device she owns. Either way, cheers to this blog review, I inadvertently mocked up on a shopping mall bench.

4. The Most Commented Post (and a Little Heartbreak)

Once upon a time, my Christmas special All The Highs carried the crown. At fourteen minutes long, it was either a very dedicated read, or it became Christmas Day's dessert. Either way, I am ever so proud of this one because I mocked it up over 3 nights.

Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge Willemstad, Curaçao

Then platform changes ate a few comments (rude). Now the honour goes to 7 Nights on Nieuw Statendam: Holland America’s Caribbean Cruise in 50 Clicks. Turns out, nothing gets people talking like fifty shades of cruise photos and buffet debates.

5. Things I Wish I’d Done Differently or Not

If I could start again, I’d set up my blog post subscriptions from day one. Just imagine seven years of inbox pals waiting for my musings. Alas, I was late to the party. And then there was SEO. I will admit it sucked my creativity and this site is my creative outlet. It wanted me to repeat myself in the title and the excerpt and the content and too use language everyone else used in searches. Still learning to blend narrative with discoverability.

Blog post titles deserve their own eye-roll. How they all somehow look the same: listicles, 'how tos,' or 'the ultimate guides.' So uninspiring, yet data says they get clicks. So, fine, I dipped my toes in with my first ever Signature Guide. Guess what, got a Facebook Glow up. Now on the other hand Flat lays, I don’t know who actually works like that. A laptop perfectly angled next to a notepad and pen, next to flowers laid out next to jewellery, scissors, paper clips. All in pink. I once spent twenty minutes angling a pen at precisely 37 degrees next to a latte that went cold. No one cared. No one even mentioned the photo. I laugh at myself now.

But I am a writer, and I wished I knew that writing the content is only about a third of what having a blog entails. Because there’s the eternal SEO tug-of-war. My heart says, 'write about that hidden alleyway in Venice.' Google Analytics says, 'write about where to get pizza in Rome.' Sometimes I try to do both and pray for magic. Then, there's the clickbait tempting of blog titles. 'You Won’t Believe What Happened on our Sunset Cruise.' Spoiler: There was no... But it works, so we do it because our blog analytics dance.

I’ve overthought images, agonised over filters to make photos look 'more bloggy,' and chased virality with posts I thought would hit big. But the truth? Readers just want to see the place. The posts I mock up lastminute... and would write even if no one read them, always ended up performing better in the long run. Messy, funny, sometimes ridiculous but absolutely worth it.

6. Google First Page Fame

• Harrods Champagne Bar

• Qima Cafe

• The Mayfair Chippy (for this, I have to thank the Americans who locked on and ran with it.)

• Tom Kerridge Fish and Chips

• Champagne Quotes

Basically, Google thinks I’m an authority on bubbles, beans and fish and chips. Honestly? Not a bad résumé.

7. Staying the Blogging Course

173 posts (give or take). Read as far away as New Caledonia and Tanzania, though the UK still holds the traffic crown.

Along the way, I’ve had some unexpected side adventures. Conversations with a private jet company re their website content (all thanks to the blog). And then there was the collaboration with What Happened at Desire Riviera Maya Pearl which, let’s just say, proves this blog has range.

I’ve resisted TikTok dances and Ads in my content, survived algorithm mood swings and pressed publish on more spelling errors than I care to count. Seven years on, the blog is still here, still telling stories.

7 Year Blog Anniversary

A Blogiversary Toast

We live in a world of algorithms that love the snackable stuff. The quicker the hit, the bigger the reward. That's not blogs. Blogs are the lovingly slow-cooked meals in a world of drive-through dopamine. But reaching seven years deserves a toast because I didn't know what I was doing then. I'm still not entirely sure what I am doing now, other than hanging on to a wing, a prayer and an unhealthy obsession of my favourite font. 

Seven (7) is often treated as a complete cycle; a symbolic closing of one era and opening of another, for better or worse.

Here’s to the next seven years. Of hanging on to sturdier wings and slightly stronger prayer. Whether blog content or storytelling. More stamps in my passport, plugin updates I can handle without crying into my lattes and hopefully at least one more award I can casually drop into conversation.

Now it’s your turn. Tell me what’s been your favourite Girl Well Travelled blog post so far? (And no, Mother, you can’t vote Harrods Champagne Bar again, though I do appreciate your consistency in taste.)

Join the Celebration in the Comments

• Milestone Memories: What’s the first post you remember reading here?

• The Bubble Test: Is Harrods Champagne Bar my most-read post because of bubbles, my writing… or my mother?

• Your most common blogging blemish: Mine is spelling errors

• SEO Confessions: Have you ever Googled yourself just to see what came up?

• Reader’s Choice Award: Which post would you give an award to?

• Predict the Future: In seven years, will I be blogging from Mars, a hammock in the Maldives, or still fighting with SEO updates?

• One Word Toast: Drop one word that sums up your wish for the next seven years of Girl Well Travelled.