As 2018 comes to a bittersweet close, I am sat here thinking about what to write for my obligatory ‘year in review’ editorial. Should I walk through memories of this year’s travels? Should I reflect on how my blog has grown? Should I write something from the heart about how time is short and life is
The truth is, this year flew by and I spent most of my year just going through the motions and being in survival mode. I suppressed my nagging thoughts and demanded that I be in control over my own emotions. I didn’t take much time for family or friends, and technology and social media seemed to always be on my brain. And while there was much change in some areas of my life, there was little change in others.
Toward the end of the year I focused on doing more of what made me happy. I created the content I wanted to even though Instagram told me no one wanted to see it. I started listening to podcasts about women at work. I started having serious conversations with myself on what I wanted in life and how to get there. It’s been a long year, but I’ve learned a lot.
Livin’ the good life full of goodbyes
This year I traveled to three countries: England, Ireland, and Iceland. As most of you know, my goal every year is to visit at least two countries. It was surreal to experience
In 2019, one of my goals is to end each day with three words. So I thought I’d try that out below for the two new countries I visited.
Ireland
Gin. Comfort. Cold.
Iceland
Difficult. Growth. Beautiful.
My favorite memories
Something I started doing more toward the end of this year was creating content that was more from the heart. I dedicated a section on my blog to ‘think pieces’, in which I discussed controversial topics in conjunction with travel, or just wrote general reflection pieces on my travels.
That being said, some of my most favorite pieces have been think pieces. It’s been a great connector for my audience too, with so many of you reaching out and relating to what I wrote and finding it beautiful. Here were some of my favorites from this year:
To all the cities I have loved
Iceland changed the way I think about traveling
I should have booked a $400 ticket to Paris
How the perfect job left me uninspired
Other highlights
- I worked with Lonely Planet (still surreal, btw).
- I worked with a startup company in Australia called
Milanote . - I worked with The Hoxton (a seriously dreamy hotel brand).
- I worked with The Barn Berlin, several times.
- I was named one of the Top
Milennial Travel Bloggers in 2018. - My blog turned 2-years-old and I celebrated.
- I re-designed my blog for the first time and got amazing feedback.
2019 and beyond
I am not 100% sure what’s next for me. But, I refuse to live in survival mode the whole year. This year will include a lot of conscious decision making, a lot of growth,
Travel
As of right now, I do not have any travel plans, which is actually quite insane/scary for me. Usually I always book a ticket after my birthday on the 28th of December. This year I didn’t do so. I am going to wait and see where life takes me the first 3-6 months next year. It’s definitely devastating to me that traveling just isn’t in the cards right now. But again, I am learning to not let what I present on social media define me.
I hope everyone had a great year and is fully ready to take hold of 2019! Over the next few days I will be re-designing this site and rebranding ever so slightly. That being said, thank you to everyone who has been reading for nearly 3 years now! I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes this year:
How to stop time: kiss
How to travel in time: read
How to escape time: music
How to feel time: write
How to release time: breathe
Matt Haig
Here’s to an amazing 2019.
20 comments
Happy New Years Emily. Hope you’re having a great start to 2019, and are planning some exciting trips. I LOVE the video on the opening page – it looks really cool.
Cheers to a great year ahead!
Lyndi
http://www.stylecalling.com
Thank you so much Lyndi! It was a last minute touch. I definitely want to film something new this year haha. Happy New Year!
Iceland looked like such an amazing trip, I found all the posts and pictures dreamy ๐ Also, more feedback on your new site design… I love it haha! 2018 will be a hard one to beat. Happy new year xx
Thank you so much Jenny! Happy New Year!
YOur blog grew so much last year and congratulatiosn on all the amazing work opportunities! Much deserved success and hope this year will be fabulous for you too. I pretty much scaled back my online presence last year because I decided to live more in the moment. The blog suffered but I felt more fulfilled with life.
Thank you so much Shireen! I really appreciate all the support you’ve given me over the years. And I did notice that you scaled back! I thought about you every once in a while haha. You really are such a talented blogger. But I totally get wanting to live more in the moment. Whatever makes you the happiest. I hope you have a great year this year!
Loving all your traveling pictures! So beautiful and breathtaking!
Adela
http://www.hautespark.com
Thanks so much Adela!
Happy New Year, Emily. I love your new blog design and all the changes. It looks simply amazing, hun! Also, it sounds like 2018 were quite a year for you. Wishing only the best in 2019! Also, if any comfort, I am stepping in 2019 with no travel plans whatsoever, as well. It’s so weird since I always have at least one trip planned, haha. Let’s see where the year will take us! x
Thank you so much Leta! It will be a hard year to top, that’s for sure. Happy New Year!
You did so many amazing things in 2018 girl – can’t wait to see what you do in 2019!! Also I’m heading over to Ireland in a couple of weeks and I’m soooo excited!!
xo,
H
http://firsttimethings.com/
Ohmygosh!! You’re going to love it! Let me know if you need any tips or places to check out, though most of them are on my blog. :p
Have fun!
Hello Emily,
I just discovered your blog via Leta blog and I am so happy to have found you. If you have changed the graphic of your blog, well done, is so appealing<3 secondly, I love the section of your blog and I will stay around for a bit!
wish you a great start of 2019!
Cate แฆ 35mm in Style
Thank you so much Cate! Glad you like it!!
What a fun-filled year indeed! Cheers for more travel and adventures this 2019!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thanks Jessica!
Happy New Year, Emily! I’ve enjoyed another year of reading your blog (“to all the cities I have loved” was a favorite of mine), and it’s exciting to see all of the opportunities it brought this year. I think it takes boldness to not let yourself live in survival mode…I’m hoping 2019 is what you need + want it to be!
Kathryn โข simplykk.com
Aw thank you Kathryn!! So glad you liked that one. It was very dear to my heart.
You had a fun 2018. I learned a lot from your Iceland posts and I can’t wait to see your next travels when you decide to. That’s the best quote I’ve read so far this year. Wishing you an awesome 2019!
http://www.busyandfab.com
Thank you so much Mercy!