2017: The Good, The Bad, and the Oh So Very Ugly

by Brenna Holeman

Last year I wrote an in-depth review of 2016, a month by month summary of everything I got up to, including receiving my MA, travelling to Italy, Spain, Northern Ireland, Turkey, Israel, and more, and being very comfortably settled in London. It made sense to break it down like that, January to December.

Well for this past year, 2017, I decided to buck the system. Why? Because 2017 was kind of a batshit year for me, fraught with ups and downs of giant proportions. There were some fantastic moments (see: pretty much everything that happened in East Africa). There were some horrible moments (see: moving out of my flat in London). And there was a whole lot in between. This post won’t even mention all of the horrific things that happened around the world, because I think we can all agree that it was a garbage year in general for Earth, and I doubt any of us need reminding.

Instead of just listing things month by month or trip by trip, which – let’s face it – is pretty damn boring for everyone but me, I decided to separate this post into three sections: the good/great, the bad, and then, hopefully making Clint Eastwood proud, the very, very ugly. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this.

2017: The Good (more like THE AWESOME)

I always feel like a spoiled brat saying I didn’t have a very good year because I’m fully aware that I am one of the luckiest, most privileged people on the planet. I get to travel for a living, for god’s sake. And so before I get to any of the shitty stuff that happened below, it’s crucial to recognise that there were many, many, MANY wonderful things that happened to me this year, mainly the four months I spent on the road. 39 flights, 16 countries, a few unbelievable road trips, and some major travel wish list items checked off, this year was truly fantastic in many ways.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQny5XvlTkP/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

My first trip of the year was to Genova, Italy, where I ate a bunch of pesto, drank a bunch of sparkling wine, and got to see Camogli, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Nervi.

north coast 500

I joined up with my dear friend Helen for my first campaign of the year, which was a road trip around Scotland’s North Coast 500. As per my latest blog post, that was one of the best trips I’ve ever done in my life. [Read more: 13 Reasons You Have to Road Trip Scotland’s North Coast 500]

I marched in the Women’s March in London, which was extremely empowering. [Read more: Why I Marched: Thoughts on the London Women’s March]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSbk1BTlGEA/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

I was flown to Copenhagen to give a talk on working with influencers, which was a pretty amazing addition to my resume.

I spent a week in Antigua, where the water was so blue I thought I was dreaming. This was another amazing campaign that I was very proud to be a part of. I also turned 33 while on the airplane over the Atlantic, which I thought was pretty cool. [Read more: Antigua: The Perfect Caribbean Holiday]

In mid-May, I met my dad and his wife for four days of great eating and shopping in Florence. I then participated in an influencers conference in Menorca, where I got to hang out with lots of amazing, like-minded people in this industry. [Read more: A Weekend in Menorca, Spain’s Underrated Island]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVNPmbzl_eF/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

I saw the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, which was pretty dope. I also got to visit Abu Dhabi; I have wanted to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a long time, and it was worth the wait.

Giraffe Manor Nairobi Kenya

And then, for the next six weeks, I made all of my travel dreams come true: I travelled around East Africa, including Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. [Read more: Holy &$@% 2017, Are You For Real? Travel Plans and More…]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYWWJERnCvh/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

Seriously, this was the trip of my dreams. Six safari days, hot air ballooning, trekking with gorillas, trekking with chimpanzees, staying in Giraffe Manor, lounging on the beaches of Zanzibar… I mean it when I say I wouldn’t change a thing (except, maybe, the credit card bills I ended up with). I went with my mum and it was one incredible experience after the next. [Read more: What to Wear in Kenya and Giraffe Manor: Is It Worth the Cost?]

Photo taken on Kristin’s Drone

I then spent six weeks in my hometown of Winnipeg; I own a house there, and needed to do some major renovations. I’m counting this as a good because there’s something about painting a wall and rearranging furniture that makes me so freaking happy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbaF58lH6lr/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

Back in London, I quickly flew to Italy for my third time in 2017. First exploring Lucca and Florence by myself, I then met up with my sister Zalie and her boyfriend Ross. We had an amazing road trip through Tuscany and Umbria, including a day in San Marino. We then moved on to Cinque Terre (my third time there), which was filled with sunshine, good wine, and some major laughs.

Shortly after that, I went to the Seefeld region of Austria for a press trip: think fresh Alpine air, snowcapped mountains, and stunning sunsets. [Read more: Olympiaregion Seefeld: The Most Beautiful Place in Austria]

I then flew to Berlin for a week to hang out with my friend Kristin of Be My Travel Muse. We barely did anything but work, eat, and talk for hours, which is just what I needed.

In early November I flew to Toronto, where I spent almost two weeks hanging out with my mum. Again, I just wanted to hibernate and hang out with her. I am pretty comfortable not leaving the house for days if I have good company, good food, and good wine, so we made the most of it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2yWH5nL5y/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

My last international trip of 2017 was to Japan; I visited Central Japan on a press trip, and it was super fun. Although I lived in Osaka for two years, this was a region I had never spent any time in, and it was amazing to be back in one of my favourite countries.

I ended the year in my hometown of Winnipeg to celebrate the holidays with my family and to question whether or not it’s OK to go for walks in -30 (answer: it is, but you best bundle up).

So yeah, you’re probably like… fuck you and the horse you rode in on, that sounds like the best year ever. And again, I do NOT want to downplay that I am super lucky to have experienced all of those things in one year.

But you know what they say – there’s always more behind the scenes. And because nobody really wants to read about the good stuff (“Look at me! This year I fell in love with my soulmate who is mistaken daily for Jake Gyllenhaal, found my dream career where I make seven figures a month, and travelled to eighty billion countries!” Good for you, but YAWN. Give me the real shit, please), I wanted to pull back the curtain and reveal some of the things that made 2017 a year I’m happy to see the back of.

2017: The Bad

I’m going to start by saying that nothing very bad actually happened to me in 2017 (see above: spoiled brat, lucky, etc). My family and friends are healthy, I didn’t go bankrupt, I didn’t get dumped (you can’t get dumped if you don’t date… my advice for the day), and so on. But there were still some moments that made me sad, mad, and just downright fed up. Almost all of the bad things that happened in 2017 were due to my own faults, so at least I can acknowledge that… it’s easier to fix if you know where the problem originated.

Probably one of the most stressful times and also the toughest emotional upheaval I went through in 2017 was packing up my flat in East London. I absolutely loved that flat, and it was the longest I have ever lived anywhere since leaving my childhood home 15 years ago. This is not to mention the financial costs of packing and moving internationally; with my future in London unsure, I decided the best plan of action was to ship my belongings back to Canada rather than pay for hefty storage fees. I cried many tears upon leaving that beloved flat.

Professionally, 2017 was pretty blah for me, too. This blog performed better than 2016, yes, but not THAT much better. In fact, December 2017 was my worst month for traffic in the entire year, even though I went over a month in the summer without blogging. What the hell?! [Read: Taking a Break from the Thing You Love]

And that was part of the problem: my motivation hit all time lows this year, and I started comparing myself to everyone and their mother. I came up with tons of great ideas, lots of fantastic blog posts, and so many ways I could take This Battered Suitcase into the future (writing retreats! books! podcasts! yeah right). I vowed to redesign my blog, to write more, and to make this a much better resource for female travellers. Yeah, that’s a big old NOPE in terms of what actually happened. [Read: I Feel Bad About My Blog

And while I did manage to do some more consulting, public speaking (including at a university in London), and freelance writing, in general I didn’t accomplish anything that I set out to accomplish this year. That’s a shitty feeling. It’s up to me to change that in 2018, AKA it’s up to me to get shit done and keep on moving forward, even if nothing seems to be happening.

In some ways, I felt like my entire working year can be summed up like this:

Email from potential client: “Hi Brenna, we love your blog and are really keen to hire you for this consulting/press trip/public speaking/writing. How much do you charge?”

Me: “Hi! That’s amazing, I’d love to be involved. I charge [not at all an unreasonable rate].”

Potential client: *crickets*

Me: Alrighty then, I guess I’m a total and complete failure so I should just give up.

See?! What a terrible attitude to have!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcH-PEhnRND/?taken-by=thisbatteredsuitcase

And because no round-up post is worth its salt without a few romantic stories – or in this case, oh-my-god-I’m-dry-heaving stories – I can say, without a doubt, that 2017 was probably the worst year I’ve had in terms of dating and relationships since like… kindergarten? For real. Those who read this blog often know that I’m not particularly looking for a long-term relationship – if it happens it happens, I’m in no rush – but I do enjoy dating and flings, especially while travelling.

In 2017, I didn’t meet anyone that knocked my socks off. I did go on a few dates in London in the start of the year that were fantastically bad (honest to God, one dude actually started whimpering when I wouldn’t kiss him goodnight, while another just assumed we’d sleep together even though the conversation was so bad I went and flirted with the 22-year-old bartender for 15 minutes just to get SOMETHING out of the evening). I also had a travel romance gone so, so, SO wrong that I am still trying to collect my thoughts about it (cue the aforementioned dry heaves. I legitimately cannot start thinking about this guy without cringing in horror).

I need a drink

All in all, whether it was work or relationships, I just felt frustrated and annoyed. There was nothing awful about any of it, but there was nothing outstanding, either.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I did manage to write some of my very favourite blog posts, and ones that you really related to as well. These include:

My Month Without Alcohol (And Men) (a series of four blog posts, this remains one of my favourite set of posts to write, ever)

The Last Time I Saw You (Part Six) (still one of the more popular series on the blog, all about l-o-v-e)

Every Single Thing I Know About Social Media (written when I was feeling more positive about this blog)

When Did Travel Blogging Get So Boring? (some bloggers were sooooo butt-hurt over this post without actually reading it. I got some very nasty, hateful comments in those “we empower other female travel bloggers!” forums on Facebook… hmm. Funny that)

Please Stop Telling Me I Just Need to Meet the Right Guy (definitely one of my favourites I’ve ever written. I aim to write more like this in 2018)

Why You Should Buy Souvenirs (just like people who brag that they don’t count countries, I’ll never understand why some people brag about not buying souvenirs. How about you do you, I’ll do me, and neither of us judges the other for how they choose to travel?!)

On Belonging: A Story from Japan (a long-form narrative about my time living in Osaka)

Every Single Thing I Know About Instagram (spoiler: I kinda hate Instagram)

What to Wear in Colombia (for a travel blog, it’s funny that my most popular posts are all about fashion and relationships)

What If I’m Single Forever? (just a happy little thought I absolutely never ruminate on when lying alone in bed at 3am)

Trust Me, Your 30s Are So Much Better Than Your 20s (another blog post I loved writing. Oooohhhh and if anyone wants some gossip, I actually hung out with the guy I talk about in that post again [don’t judge me] and HE CLAIMED TO NOT REMEMBER ANY OF IT. Hmmm, OK. Moral of the story? Don’t hang out with exes? Don’t put too much faith in drunken encounters? I’ve still got it……?!)

Because in the End, I Choose Travel (true, always)

The Last Time I Saw You (Part Seven) (this one hurt a little bit)

On Hitting Publish: Everything That Goes Through My Brain Before Publishing a Blog Post (true story. In the eight hours it has taken me to put together this blog post, I have also: tried to buy JLo tickets in Vegas, read a column online by Roxane Gay, researched if you can eat too much spinach in a day, ordered a book on Amazon even though I just got two books delivered this morning, stared into the flame of my candle and tried to meditate just like that short story by Roald Dahl (anyone else know what I’m talking about?), stopped to read a few of my friends’ blogs, flossed, and spent half an hour bookmarking new quinoa recipes. Send help)

This is How Your Heart Breaks  (*sob*)

Nah Dude, I’m Not Going to ‘Lighten Up’ About Your Rape Joke (perhaps one of the most important posts I wrote this year, this article went down really well with the anti-feminist basement-dwelling trolls who like to comment on my Facebook page every now and then again. All they serve to do is motivate me to write more posts like this, so thank you, dudes wiping the Cheetos dust off your hands onto your sweatpants so you can rage-masturbate for the fourth time today! I owe ya)

How I Got Started: My Journey Through 11 Years of Travelling and Writing About It (I get asked about this ALL THE TIME [Hey there, I just found your blog today and was wondering how you started? How do you travel so much? How do you make money? What are all of your freelance contacts? Can you please write me back with 1,000 words in an email so that I can never respond to say thank you?] so I finally wrote it all down in one place)

The Best Books to Become a Better Writer (hopefully more about writing coming on the blog in 2018!)

How To Feel Comfortable Eating Alone (I’m going to try to write more practical travel-related guides like this in 2018, as they go down well)

I need another drink

2017: The Oh So Very Ugly

The good news is the ugliest part of this year was solely because of me (either my brain or my body). The bad news is the ugliest part of this year is solely because of me (brain + body, so, yeah, ME).

I’ve hummed and hawed about making this information public, because so much of what I stand for online is solo travel and being happy with being single. I am an independent woman! I love being on my own!! But, oh yeah, I also suffer from crippling loneliness.

The truth is, living in London for the past five years has been a dream come true. I LOOOOVEEEEE London so much, as I’ve often waxed on about. [Read: Why I’m Staying in London] But one aspect I haven’t really written about in the past is how lonely a city like London can be. Despite being surrounded by eight million odd people, trying to make friends when you’re single and work from home obviously comes with great challenges. Add to this that London is one of the most transient cities in the world – and sprawled out over a huge area of land –  and you’ve got yourself a problem.

Coffee on one of my daily walks around East London

I often talk about just how amazing the pub next to my flat has been over the past few years for me, and it truly has; I have fully immersed myself into East London, or more specifically Bethnal Green, because of the community surrounding this pub.

But – and I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a snob – I’m one of the younger regulars there. When I visit, it’s to drink, watch football, and shoot the shit. I don’t often hang out with people from the pub outside of the pub, but when we do, it’s to go to another pub. You can see how that’s not the healthiest lifestyle.

Because of this industry I’m in – travel blogging – it is nigh on impossible to make solid plans with the friends I’ve made through it. Very often I’ll hang out with people who are visiting London, which is fantastic, but finding travel bloggers who live in London AND live close enough so that you’re not spending your weekend on public transportation AND happen to be in town at the same time as me is pretty fucking difficult. On top of that, in 2016 and 2017, a lot of my non-travel blogger friends in London moved away or got really intense jobs that left them very few free hours.

I really hit a wall, friendship-wise. Though I have many great friendships around the world, ones I nurture through social media and Skype, nothing compares to going out to lunch with someone, or watching a movie with someone, or going out dancing with someone. I started to feel very, very lonely in London. I mean it when I say I’m happy being single, but I started to crave more friendships in my life. I can always find a friend who wants to Skype with me or travel with me, but finding someone to go for brunch with in London started to feel arduous.

Long story short, I missed my family and my friends in Canada like crazy after 15 years (!) away. I’m also my own worst enemy, because I also love staying home, crave my own time, and hate going to social events where I’m the “new” one (so tagging along with a group of friends who all know each other already feels awkward, but because many people in their 30s already have established friend groups, this was often the case).

This was coupled with one of the worst years I’ve had health-wise, because my goddamn sciatica just won’t quit. For those who don’t know, sciatica is a condition where you get a pinched nerve in your lower back that is often accompanied with an inability to move without a shooting pain reverberating down one entire side of your body.

I had no less than FOUR sciatica attacks this year, all of which left me down for the count for at least a week. When I visited Italy with my sister and her boyfriend I could barely walk. It was so bad in Uganda that the staff at the airport wanted me to use a wheelchair after I burst into tears trying to lift my suitcase. I was in so much pain hiking in Austria that, even though I was on a press trip trying to work, I was constantly thinking of when I could get my next massage at the spa, €75 a pop be damned.

I don’t want to say that my sciatica ruined those trips, but it certainly put a damper on them. Not being in control of my own body for weeks at a time while trying to move internationally as well as travel to some places not exactly known for extreme comfort (hello, road from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara) really started to take a toll on me both physically and emotionally. It’s very, very easy to feel miserable when you’re bed-ridden, let me tell you.

I’m not going to lie: I felt very sorry for myself because of these two issues. There were a few weekends earlier this year when, bed-ridden due to my sciatica, I realised it didn’t really matter: nobody was texting me to hang out anyway. I know, I know, boo hoo… but fuck. That sucked.

And that, ladies and… ladies (85% female readership on this blog, woo!), is one of the reasons why I decided it was time to say goodbye to London as a permanent base. I haven’t really written about it yet, but anyone following along on my social media or reading between the lines on this blog would be able to suss it out.

Another huge reason was the fact that my visa is expiring in a couple of months, and to apply for a new one would mean a heck of a lot of money and bureaucracy for… nothing, except another year of residency. The visas I have been on for the past five years do not count toward citizenship, so I would have to keep finding ways to stay, year after year after year, only to be very likely kicked out anyway.

Not only that, I recognised – yet again – that I’m happiest when I’m on the road for long periods of time, but I can’t afford to keep an expensive flat in London AND travel with the frequency/length of time that I want. As someone who works solely online, it seems like a shame to not take advantage of this freedom. This definitely isn’t a goodbye to London – I’ll be there for many months of every year – but it won’t be my permanent base anymore.

So to combat some of the issues I faced this year – essentially not being very healthy physically or emotionally – I decided it was time to change. To majorly shake things up. To make some huge decisions that would affect my life and this blog.

…But those to come soon, because this damn post is too long already.

As you can see, 2017 was a year of ups and downs for me. The travels were out of this world, but the rest of the year just sort of fell flat, mainly down to my bad attitude and my lack of ambition. I’m feeling really optimistic for 2018, however, and hoping to make the necessary changes in my life to stay motivated, stay healthy, and stay happy.

To the half-million or so of you who read This Battered Suitcase in 2017 – thank you for letting me ramble on the Internet. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for all of your thousands of comments and messages on this blog and on its social media (except you, Cheetos trolls, I think your mum is calling you for dinner, best to go upstairs now). A special thank you to those who were able to come to one of my meet-ups in London or Winnipeg, and another thank you to those on my Facebook page, a thriving community of amazing travellers.

Here’s to a happy, successful, fucking fantastic year for us all. x

How was your 2017? What are you looking forward to most in 2018?

 

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72 comments

Druk January 3, 2018 - 6:09 am

Happy new year.

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Brenna Holeman January 3, 2018 - 9:11 pm

Thanks, you too!

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Hayley Simpson January 3, 2018 - 7:54 am

Excited to see what 2018 holds for you, Brenna! I am most looking forward to the blank slate that is currently this year for me. Who knows where I’ll be travelling to, working and doing by the end of the year.

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Brenna Holeman January 3, 2018 - 9:12 pm

Agreed – that’s an exciting feeling! Wishing you an awesome 2018 🙂

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Nina January 3, 2018 - 8:11 am

Happy new year! I love how honest your blog posts are. My 2017 was pretty good, l got to visit New Zealand and Wales for the first time.

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Brenna Holeman January 3, 2018 - 9:12 pm

Thank you! Happy New Year to you, too… that’s amazing that you got to see NZ and Wales!

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Tasha Swinney January 3, 2018 - 12:22 pm

I’ve been reading your blog for probably six years now? Thanks so much for this post and all of the others. You’re posts are always so informative and encouraging and you’re so hardworking!! Thanks for the transparency in this post, it helps when you know your heroes are human, too.

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Brenna Holeman January 3, 2018 - 9:13 pm

Aw, thank you so much, Tasha! Your support means the world to me. Happy 2018!

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LC January 3, 2018 - 1:32 pm

Sounds like… a balanced year, I guess? At least the photos you got out of it are damn amazing. (PS – be seeing you round the blackjack table anytime soon, Henry Sugar?).

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Brenna Holeman January 3, 2018 - 9:13 pm

Yessssssss I was hoping somebody would get it!! Thanks, LC, hope you have an amazing year 🙂

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Tempesst January 3, 2018 - 2:21 pm

“I mean it when I say I’m happy being single, but I started to crave more friendships in my life.” That pretty much sums up 2017 for me as well. I’m living in a rural area doing rotations until the end of July, and it’s been so hard to make friends there because there aren’t many young professionals/grad students in their 20s and 30s. I’m trying to figure out what city I want to move to (after a long post grad backpacking trip!) and I’ve found myself furiously researching what cities are the easiest to make friends in haha. The thought of not having a friend group in whatever city I choose keeps me awake at night sometimes. So you definitely aren’t alone! Happy New Year, I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store for you.

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:04 am

It really is a huge part of life, to have friends around us! I’m sorry that you’re going through something similar but I feel very optimistic about 2018 for us all. Wishing you the best of luck this year… and that you find an amazing new home city!

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cate January 3, 2018 - 3:37 pm

Oh my goodness, Brenna! I looooved this! I love your self honesty, and how aware you are of privilege- not a lot of people are. I can totally relate to the friend thing, sometimes you just wish there were 15 people lining up to hang out. I am so excited to hear about your big changes for 2018!! Your blog posts saved and changed my life this year- in the midst of a really crappy day or even an anxiety attack, I would read a narrative or fun post of yours and immediately calm down and get out of my head, so THANK YOU

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:06 am

Aw, thank you so much, Cate. I really appreciate all of your support on this blog – it means the world to me! I’m wishing you a really happy, healthy 2018 🙂

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Ashley January 3, 2018 - 4:16 pm

Such a great read, Brenna! Thank you for sharing and for being so honest, especially with your challenges and struggles. It’s so refreshing, and I can definitely relate to many aspects of this post. Wishing you a fantastic 2018!

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:00 am

Thank you so much, Ashley! I wish you a very happy and successful 2018 🙂

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Stacy January 3, 2018 - 4:55 pm

Happy New Year, Brenna! I hope that 2018 brings you the positive changes you’re looking for personally, as well as lots of amazing travel.

2017 was sort of a mixed bag for me too, with wonderful trips to Norway, London, and Hamburg, the beginning of a lovely new relationship, and a lot of progress with my writing career. But there were also some mental health struggles and challenges coping with a major life transition. The biggest thing I’m looking forward to in 2018 is finally quitting my office job in a couple months to write full-time.

Thanks for this post–it’s a good reminder that life is complicated, with highs and lows and everything in between.

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:01 am

Thank you so much, Stacy, and thank you for sharing your year as well! Yes, it seems there were definitely a lot of ups and downs for many of us. I wish you all the success in the world in 2018!

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Jen January 3, 2018 - 7:33 pm

I’m sorry for your heartbreak at leaving London. It seems like you’ve made a million memories there and it’s always hard to leave a place you love, but can I just say, having people around you who love you more than makes up for it? I thought I would struggle moving back to Oregon after life in Seattle and traveling, but I LOVE having my people. And the lower cost of living. That said, on your list you should add a tour of the West Coast (BEST COAST) of the USA to your list! I would love to show you around Portland or suggest places in Portland and Seattle. I think you’d love both of my favorite cities! I look forward to reading about your adventures in 2018!

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:03 am

I’m spending a lot more time in Canada and it just feels SO GOOD to hang out with my beloved friends and family all the time! I feel so much more relaxed… and yes, not worrying about the pricetag of living in London also helps, ha ha. I would love to do a road trip of the West Coast someday… I’ve never seen Washington or Oregon, so I think that should change very soon! Thanks for your comment, Jen. 🙂

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Jolene January 3, 2018 - 9:56 pm

I work in the service industry it just seems like the friends ive made and myself are always working or they have their main thing so for me who’s main thing is work is so difficult to get together. The loneliness aspect I totally understand. Crazy even to think of the amount of people who live in this city. But even more so who are only passing through. I, myself, am passing through with a little bit more time left on my visa. I am still surprised at the amount of friends I’ve made this year just in time for them to move back to the other side of the world. A friend recently said don’t make friends with an Australian they will only end up leaving you. This after 3 of our friends went back home! Lol

Happy New Year And can’t wait to read about wherever you will touch base!

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:10 am

Ha ha – so true about Aussies! They’re always leaving London. That’s the problem with big cities… people are always coming and going. It can be such a blessing and a curse! Happy New Year to you, too… wishing you a fantastic 2018, whatever it may bring.

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Silvia January 3, 2018 - 10:08 pm

Oh my god, cliffhanger much??

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 6:02 am

Ha ha, I gotta keep you coming back somehow… 😉

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Julien January 7, 2018 - 7:07 am

Haha, it makes me so happy to see my two favorite bloggers interacting on one of your blogs!!!

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Brenna Holeman January 7, 2018 - 9:38 pm

Silvia is great! I hope I get to hang out with her even more in 2018. 🙂

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Katie January 3, 2018 - 11:20 pm

Happy New Year Brenna! Thanks for the honesty, as always. The lack of friendships in the place you are living is a bummer and it really does get to you – I have been in that head space myself a number of times including in London. Once I get my fiance visa (and then green card) I will be living in Denver on a more permanent basis – well for a bigger part of the year at least – and I am lucky that I am close to my fiance’s family and I have a couple of friends there, but I am definitely hoping to make more. I hope 2018 will be a fantastic year for the both of us!

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:09 am

I hope that, too! Thank you so much for your comment, Katie, I really appreciate all of your support. Happy New Year!

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Lara January 3, 2018 - 11:51 pm

Your East African trip pushed me to visit Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya in 2017. I plan to visit Tanzania this year. You are such an inspiration and I love how honest you are about life.

I understand the loneliness and I felt that way when I lived in a city away from home back in 2013.

Happy New Year and can’t wait to read all your adventure in the year.

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 8:58 am

Wow – that is amazing! Thank you so much for letting me know. Happy New Year to you, too… I wish you lots more incredible travels in 2018!

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anjci January 4, 2018 - 1:20 am

I live in London – travelling galore but here two thirds of the time! : ) Would be happy to hang out, even if I am an introvert. Don’t be sad about not seeing enough people working from home – I would be so happy not to see so many of my colleagues. Most are nice people but the not-so-nice ones just make the whole thing not worth it : ) Your year looks amazing, and I am just jealous that you can work online. Good luck with everything.

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:08 am

Aw, thank you so much! Here’s hoping we both have a fantastic 2018 🙂

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anjci January 5, 2018 - 1:48 am

Haha, I love the generic response! : ) I am confident we both will – take care always!

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Victoria January 4, 2018 - 3:41 am

Oh god – this post reminds me why you’re my favorite blogger. I’ve been very discouraged about the state of blogging lately (all the fakeness, follow/unfollow, desperation for likes but not interactions, etc), but then you come in swinging with a post full of good writing and honesty. It feels like a breath of fresh air.

I’m sorry to hear about the loneliness, but I am very, very glad you decided to share. I took my first extended solo trip this summer and had a few days where I talked to NO ONE (due to not very social hostels and general anxiety) and I felt so bummed and sorry for myself and would think “Damn, how does Brenna do it? How is she so effortlessly cool and confident and I’m sitting here alone in some Croation museum like a loser?”. You still ARE so cool and confident and you’re such a great role model, especially now that you’ve shared the more vulnerable parts of your year. I’m so sorry about the back pain and loneliness, but you DO have such a great attitude and I know you’re going to make 2018 great. Thanks for bringing us all along for the ride. 🙂

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:13 am

Aw, you’re the best, Victoria. I appreciate your comments SO MUCH… they remind me that I should keep trying my best. 🙂 And trust me, I have had SO many lonely moments both at home and on the road… I think that’s totally normal! I often go days without talking to anyone.

Anyway, I wish you all the best in 2018 and thank you again for all of your kind words… you really made my day. xo

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Katie January 4, 2018 - 4:44 am

Oh man I feel you on the back pain. I have some pain issues with my back as well and it can make the whole world feel like the worst, especially when you’re on the road and supposed to be having an amazing time (then feel guilty about feeling back but your back just hurts sooo much).

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 6:02 am

Yes! Totally. Back issues are the worst!

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veena January 4, 2018 - 5:31 am

I have so many thoughts, as I always do when I read one of your posts, but the one thing repeating over and over in my head is this: please, please, please start a podcast. I think that would be amazing. Here’s to a fantastic 2018 xx

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 8:57 am

Aw, thank you, Veena! To be honest it’s not high on the list of priorities right now, but something to think about for sure. 🙂 Happy 2018 to you, too xo

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Turner January 4, 2018 - 8:56 am

There is in certain living souls
A quality of loneliness unspeakable
So great it must be shared
As company is shared by lesser beings
Such a loneliness is mine; so know by this
That in immensity
There is one lonelier than you.

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Kuheli January 4, 2018 - 10:33 am

Wish you a very happy new year, Brenna. Loved your post. 🙂

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Brenna Holeman January 4, 2018 - 9:59 pm

Thank you so much! Happy New Year 🙂

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Kelsey January 4, 2018 - 11:37 am

Oh girl, I feel you about the loneliness. I just moved to Chiang Mai a few months ago and so far have not gotten to know a single person who wasn’t a tourist leaving in a day or two. And I even work in an office with other people! Including other expats!

It’s gotten to the point where I keep trying to tempt random friends from Kabul into moving here just so I’ll have friends to go out to brunch with, lol. You’re right about that part – sometimes the everyday, casual encounter, hey let’s go do this type of friends can be the hardest to make.

I really hope your 2018 goes the way you hope, and that the ups of that year will greatly outweigh the downs. Best of luck, and happy new year!

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:49 am

Thank you so much, Kelsey, and I’m so sorry to hear that about Chiang Mai! It really is quite difficult to make friends as an adult, especially in transient situations. Sometimes all it takes is one chance encounter, though… that’s what I try to optimistically remember! Here’s hoping 2018 is full of fun for both of us. 🙂

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Veronica January 4, 2018 - 2:35 pm

What a fantastic post! You’re willingness to be open (REAL!!) is what really makes your blogs special. You share personal struggles that I appreciate and relate to so much. I moved to San Francisco about a year and a half ago and I’m struggling to make friendships as well. It’s tough, and bummer we’re not closer — you seem so cool and open-minded.

Some of my favorite blogs were listed, in specific the series you post which completely drew me in. Keep it up!! You have a really special voice and 2018 will be great for you!!

Where do you post meets ups? Plan to this year?

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 7:32 am

Thank you so much, Veronica – I’m so glad that you are enjoying the blog! Yes, it can be really difficult to make friends as adults, especially after moving to a new city. I have never been to San Francisco so I would love to go one day… I usually post meetups on Facebook and Instagram a couple of weeks before they’re due to happen! I will try to do more – some coming up in Vancouver and London this year – but sometimes it’s tough finding the right space to hold them. Thanks again for all of your support, it means the world!

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Paige January 4, 2018 - 5:06 pm

I totally relate to weird feelings about 2017–I got promoted at work and did some amazing trips abroad, but dealt with a lot of personal life drama in the background. And like, my degrees are in creative writing and I don’t write enough or submit to journals enough and blah blah blah, feelings of being inadequate compared to peers blah blah blah. (Also, reading the New York Times daily briefing on my phone every morning didn’t help–am going to read that once I’m out of bed for the day from now on, ha.) Without daily laughs at the office with my coworkers I think I would have slunk under a rock of loneliness. I’m looking forward to trying to expand my social connections in 2018, even if it means going to a book club meeting with strangers and feeling super awkward at first. Also, more travel, and trying to actually write more. As always, loved the post and your honesty and awareness–wishing you all the best in 2018 and looking forward to hearing all about it!

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 7:38 am

Thank you so much, Paige, and thank you for sharing the ups and downs of your year, too! I totally feel inadequate all the time… I feel the same way about my degrees, and that I’m wasting them by never submitting my work to anything. Yes… avoid the in-bed morning reading, it never does anyone any good!! Here’s to a very happy year for you – and lots more adventures, too!

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kahleel hamilton January 5, 2018 - 3:18 am

I really appreciate the time you take to make sure that you are putting out meaningful content. So many times I come across blogs that are all about pretty pics and fashion or exotic travel but lack depth and substance. I love your transparency and all your pics. Thanks for being an inspiration to someone wanting to take on travel blogging.
Best wishes for 2018!

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Brenna Holeman January 7, 2018 - 9:40 pm

Aw, thank you so much, Kahleel! I really appreciate that. I think it’s super important for this blog to be as transparent as possible – it just wouldn’t feel like MY blog if it wasn’t. Wishing you a fantastic 2018 and lots of luck in your travel blogging adventures!

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Katie January 5, 2018 - 8:55 am

Just wanted to say that I feel you on the loneliness front. We’ve always had to move around for my husband’s career, and I work from home, and — like you said — the older you get, the more people have established friendships already and you almost feel like you’re butting in. I’ve always wanted to live overseas and now that dream has finally come true, but now I’m even further from my closest friends than ever. It’s great to know people around the world, to catch up over coffee or a day trip to Venice, but close friendships are so important to integrate with ease into daily life… and damn it, it’s difficult! Especially if you know you won’t be staying where you are longer than a few years… it almost doesn’t feel worth it to try to get terribly involved. Anyway. Just wanted to say I hear you. 🙂

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:53 am

I totally get it, Katie. We’ve had somewhat similar lives in that we’ve both moved around a lot and work from home, so there are so many other factors to navigate. I sometimes went into an office I didn’t really have to go into just so I could have coffee with people and feel like I was doing SOMETHING social. So here’s hoping we make some awesome, solid friendships in 2018… ones we’re not butting into! OH and keep in mind I might be coming to visit, ha ha… 😉

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Steph January 5, 2018 - 10:24 am

I’ve been following along with your blog for a few years now. I am Canadian and have also been living in London for about a year now so always really related to your stories from here! The way you write is so real and relatable. Being in London for a year now, I am here with my partner but really relate to your comments. It’s the hardest city I’ve ever lived to make friends! I am wishing you all the best in your new adventures in 2018 and I can’t wait to follow along with you! Happy new year!

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:53 am

Aw, thank you so much, Steph! And glad to know I’m not alone re: London… it IS such a tough city to make friends in. Wishing you all the best for 2018, too, and thanks again for all of your support!

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Caroline Eubanks January 5, 2018 - 9:06 pm

I totally understand the friends thing. Most of my friends are in such different life points than me and have varied priorities that it can be hard to find things in common. And working from home doesn’t let me interact with others much, but I’ve started going to a coworking space so I at least have to be around people, even if I don’t talk to them.

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:54 am

That’s a really good idea! I usually go to cafés to work a few times a week just to be around others… but yes, it can be so hard to navigate friendships as we get older. Hopefully we’ll both work it out in 2018 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Caroline, I hope you’re doing well!

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Linda January 6, 2018 - 4:14 pm

I love this post, Brenna! Just read it for the second time and was again awed by your choices and the clear way you put your life – the good, bad, and ugly! – into prospective…because every single person’s life contains those aspects, no matter who/where they are. And I can attest that age isn’t a factor – even when one is *ahem* (to quote you) “older” it’s still the same game. I think recognizing it as you have helps, to know it will keep coming: the great experiences and the terrible experiences and the plain and simple ennui that can haunt us even when we’re telling ourselves we are the lucky ones for living the lives of our choosing. So kudos for an absorbing read and a clear, amazing insight into the always wonderful you!

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:59 am

Thank you so much for all of your wisdom and all of your support… notice that almost all of my great moments of the year were with you. I can’t wait to see what 2018 brings us both! xoxo

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Marie Landry January 7, 2018 - 6:09 am

“It’s up to me to change that in 2018, AKA it’s up to me to get shit done and keep on moving forward, even if nothing seems to be happening.” <– Okay, so I love you for this. I love this whole post, in fact. Thank you for being so honest. I won’t lie, as much as I love your blog and Instagram and Facebook and have always thought we could be good friends if we got to know each other, I’m SO envious of you. So to know it’s not all sunshine and roses (which, I mean, realistically I KNEW, but you know what I mean) is comforting. I’ve spent so much of the last two years feeling like I’m getting nowhere, getting nothing accomplished, finding it difficult to stay motivated, so to see someone I admire and respect have a lack of motivation too when it seems like your life is *SO COOL* makes me feel better. Obviously I’m sorry you went through tough stuff (I cried when you posted those last stories from your London flat!), but it’s also nice to see the ugly stuff that’s relatable to someone like me. Wishing you all the very best in 2018. I’m looking forward to following along on your adventures!

~Marie

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 7:29 am

Thank you so much – as always – for all of your amazing support, Marie! I think we definitely need some “fallow” years, so I’m trying not to kick myself too much for not getting anything done in 2017. It can be really easy to compare ourselves to others but in reality, of course, there is always so much going on behind the scenes! I hope that 2018 is an incredible year for you, and thanks again for all of your lovely comments 🙂

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Alex - My Life Long Holiday January 8, 2018 - 9:18 pm

I take my hat off to you exposing yourself to the world in posts like this, I’ve been subscribed for the last year and really have enjoyed following your journey. I’m a travel blogger too but I wouldn’t like to put myself out there as much as you do, my walls are too high for that, but I really admore that you can do it, and, people obvioulsy like reading your tales very much – congrats on your half million readers! Here’s to a fab 2018 too!x

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:56 am

Thank you so much, Alex! I’ve always been fairly open online but I’ve recently decided to share even more; I know not everyone is comfortable with that, though! Here’s sending you lots of adventure in 2018 🙂

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Nicole January 9, 2018 - 4:00 am

I can relate to this in a lot of ways. I experienced so many amazing things in 2017, and my Instagram and Facebook are full of the pictures and stories to prove it. But 2017 also brought me to the lowest of lows in a few different situations, and it’s not until reading this and reflecting that I realize how much of a crazy roller coaster the past year really was. But like you, I’m optimistic about 2018 and I’m excited about new adventures and opportunities ahead! I can’t wait to read about your experiences, I always enjoy reading this blog. Happy new year!

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Brenna Holeman January 9, 2018 - 6:50 am

Thank you so much, Nicole! Yes, it’s funny how we often only share the good stuff online… but there’s ALWAYS so much more going on behind the scenes. Wishing you an amazing 2018 ahead!

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Victoria @TheBritishBerliner January 11, 2018 - 5:52 pm

I think you’ve done a great job regardless of the ugly stuff. I used to live in London, but at the time I was young enough to not bother about relationships and only focus on my career. But I hear ya!

Sadly, the quality of English boys is seriously lacking! My boyfriend was German and lived in another country! I lucked out there as I moved to Germany, and married him!

I’m one of your new readers. I’ve very much enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to many more!

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Zalie January 16, 2018 - 12:13 am

Thank you once again for sharing it ALL! I know that 2018 will be a wonderful year for you sister, I can feel it already 🙂

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Brenna Holeman January 16, 2018 - 1:02 am

Thank you so much, I can feel it, too 😀 xo

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Kal January 23, 2018 - 2:32 am

not sure why but this post made me feel better about my not so great 2017. Here is to a fabulous 2018!

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Brenna Holeman February 1, 2018 - 9:37 pm

Yes, it can be difficult when everyone is just like – my life is AMAZING. It’s always nice to know we’re not alone in our thoughts! 🙂 Here’s to a better 2018 for us both…

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Rebekah Bennett January 30, 2018 - 5:59 pm

I found your blog when googling “what to wear in India” (loved your ideas by the way! And plan to emulate you in a couple of weeks when I go!) and have been following you for a couple of months now.
You are an inspiration and I love your honesty re the good and bad! Sometimes it seems others have no issues, but of course we all do!
Love the Cheetos troll comments! We call them “Brothers in the Basement” (hummed to the tune of “mirror in the bathroom”)
Good luck in 2018! Welcome back to the Great White North!

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Brenna Holeman February 1, 2018 - 9:38 pm

Thank you so much, Rebekah! I’m so glad that you are enjoying the blog, it really means a lot. Here’s to an amazing 2018 filled with adventures!

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Elly March 10, 2018 - 9:59 pm

I´m sorry to hear about your sciatica….maybe an extended stay in warm Thailand with all its massages and hot water springs and treatments would do you good now?.

Many of the things you hated in 2017, I have to say, I had them too and I´m grateful to read that others struggle with them too, that its not only me. Your openness is very healing, really. We all should do that much more, other then projecting the illusion of everything being just “great and perfect”, because its not.

Clients that reach out enthusuastically only to dissapear in silence when you give them your rate….:(
I felt like a failure too.

Dating on Tinder…seriously I´m so over it!!!

An other thing, I´m feeling lonley in Berlin, my hometown and actual dream city too. I´m really strugglong with it and I´m ready to innitiate my departure this year. Berlin and London are similar in many ways, the cities are transitional places and too big.

All my friends have moved away, are involved in day jobs or they just changed their lifestyle. As a female a 30+ freelancer single with wanderlust, I´m having a different life then most people obviously, I feel like an “exotic animal”. My dream is to find a “family” of likewise friends or a community somewhere down the road. Probably in Asia.

I hope your 2018 will be MUCH better Brenna, all the best from Berlin <3

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