26 Flights
4 Countries
4 Continents
1 World Wonder
10 Distributed Clean Water Filters
Est. 1000 Lives Impacted
Moved to 2 New Countries
Countless New Friends
Countless New Experiences

 

That was my 2016.

I guess it wasn’t too bad. I got to see a few countries on my bucket list, like India and Peru. I finally went Skydive. Which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I got my first article published on The Huffington Post. I got my first tattoo. I got to distribute clean water filters in third world countries to families and communities who needed them (India and Nicaragua).  I lived in Australia, which was a dream of mine since I was a kid. I also got to live in Costa Rica. I climbed Machu Picchu. I mean l can’t really complain. My 2016 wasn’t too bad.

I can certainly say I am walking into 2017 with amazing unforgettable experiences from 2016. I feel pretty blessed and for that, I am grateful for.

Nicaragua 2016

I will confess that it all hasn’t been roses and daisies. In a perfect world, I would love to tell you that quitting my job to travel the world has been such a breeze and that things have come so easy. But that would be complete and utter bullshit. Although I will admit that quitting my job was certainly the best decision of my life. Regardless of the hardships.

I’ve had plenty of them in 2016. None of which I couldn’t handle. But some of which tested me. Tested my love for what I do and how I do it. I’ve learned so much in 2016. I feel like when I look back. That is what I would call 2016, the year I learned.

Well-Being

I learned about my well-being and how important it really is to invest in yourself. Whether it is your physical health or your mental health. It matters. I worked a lot this year and didn’t really listen to body and mind when it said I needed to rest. As a result, I crashed. I burned myself out. Which lead me to question myself. My ability to do what I love.

My Passion

I love to travel and meet people. Inspire. Teach others to do what I do. I realized that so much more in 2016. Something so simple and something I felt I already knew, but wasn’t clear. Became clear in 2016. Focusing on my brand and what I do here. Making sure I remain true to myself. Which I didn’t realize how hard it was until I was faced with the challenge.

Never Sell Yourself Short

One of my biggest challenges. Something I am still working on today. Learning to have more confidence in yourself, in what you believe more than others have in you. Listening to that little voice inside you that has always believed in you. It has to be the bigger voice.

What’s Next?

I’ve spent the past 2 months home and I’ve enjoyed my time with my family and friends during the holidays. I was much-needed.

Overall 2016 was pretty good to me and although I had some minor bumps its only pushed me to keep moving forward. Because that’s what life is about, isn’t it? Learning to love the good and embrace the shitty moments.

With that said, my adventures aren’t taking a back seat. In fact, they are moving full force in 2017.

You’ll probably see and hear more of me in 2017. I plan to start to vlog my messy life a lot more. You will probably see me post vlogs about 2-3 times a week. If you like me, then that’s good news. If you don’t then I am sorry I am not sorry. 🙂

Continue to do what I love while hopefully learning to balance my personal life a little more. -How I plan to do that? I have no clue.

Goals For 2017

Continue to Travel (do more of it, more often). Top Countries for 2017: Cuba, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, and Sri Lanka.

Be more present.

Do more yoga.

Carry more water filters.

Help more.

Read/write more.

Take more pictures.

Focus on my well-being.

Be on time.

Buy more bikinis.

Buy more sunnies.

🙂

Happy 2017 Everyone. Thank you all for coming along this amazing journey with me. You’ve all been amazing through the years and I hope that 2017 is our best year yet!!