So you've been traveling, have you? Looking for a way to show off your trip keepsakes or keep track of where you've been? Let's talk about some ways that you can record your travels.
1. Google Maps
This is a great way to not only track where you've been, but also pin places that you want to go. Try it out - Open My Maps, click "get started", and then click "Create a New Map" in the top right corner. Now you will be able to name your map, give it a description, and add the places that you've been. This is something online that you will always have for yourself or to share with others.
2. Scratch off map
All you need to do is wander the world and scratch off where you've been (like a lottery scratch off). I got one of these for Christmas and framed it - it looks great in a common area, office, or bedroom.
3. Pins on a map
Nothing quite beats an old fashioned push-pin in a map. I used to have an extra-large map that covered the majority of the wall in my old house and I would always get excited to add another pin when I got home from a trip.
4. Personal post cards
Another cool way to track your travels is to send yourself a postcard while you are away. It may seem like a bit of a hassle, but it would be a great gift to come home to. Plus, you will have the opportunity to find how the mail services are in other countries. If you don't want to deal with mailing it yourself, you can at least buy a post card for a keepsake everywhere you travel.
5. Social media - personal hashtag
Having a hard time tracking which of your social media posts are selfies, family pictures, or food pictures, and which ones are your travels? Easy! Think up a specific hashtag that isn't already used, use it on your social media posts, and you can easily search that hashtag in the future for a refresher of all of your travels.
6. Shadow box or trinket shelf
This would be a neat way for you to put all of your trip collectibles in one place in your home for your guests to see. You can put souvenirs, plane tickets, currency, or pictures in your shadow box or ornaments and trinkets on a shelf to show everyone that you are a true world-traveler!
7. Treasure chest
If flaunting a shadow box is not really your style, you can use the same concept with a "treasure chest" instead. Store all of your souvenirs and keepsakes from your travels into one box so that you can open it up from time to time and reminisce. I have a little treasure chest full of foreign currency that I stash away. When I travel, I don't exchange my coins or small bills and just bring them home to collect.
8. Specific souvenir
If foreign currency isn't your thing, you should find a specific souvenir that is easy to find everywhere you go (patches, stickers, keychain, etc). For example, my buddy collects magnetic bottle openers for his fridge and my wife collects ornaments for our Christmas Tree.
9. Coffee table book or photo album
Instead of storing all of your photos on your phone, camera, or hard drive, consider creating a coffee table book of photo album to showcase an entire trip. Then you can build your bookcase with travel photos or keep recent ones out for friends and family to admire.
10. Travel Rings
This one can get a little expensive, but it is a neat concept that I've seen a lot of ads about recently. Basically, you buy rings for every state or country that you've been to and showcase them on a necklace or keychain. The best part is this one is always with you and can set as a reminder that another trip is right around the corner.
The Wrap-Up
If none of these things seem right for you, there are plenty of other creative ways to intertwine your hobbies with traveling like travel tattoos, building a travel quilt, or maybe blogging your adventures. Just go and be creative! How are you going to track your travels? Can you think of another way to track travels? If so, add it in the comments.
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