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Lifestyle

This New Year (and Guten Rutsch)

written by Brenna Holeman December 31, 2013

Austria New Year 3

Vienna, Austria

Guten Rutsch as they say in Austria – Happy New Year. Rutsch literally translates to the word slide, so in saying this to each other we are wishing a good slide (a good transition, a good journey) into what the next year may hold. In Austria, pigs and mushrooms are symbols of good luck, and trinkets and cakes depicting these things are sold for the New Year.

Austria New Year 4

Vienna, Austria

I thought, initially, that 2013 wasn’t a very eventful year. I watched as other friends travelled the world, had children, got married, got promoted, got published. But upon reflection I realised that this year was really a transition, or, if we should use that German word, a slide into the life I’m creating for myself. I set up a home in London that is exactly the home I want, with a great degree, a great job, a great group of friends, a great flat (and flatmates). I also managed to visit America, Italy, Vatican City, Israel, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria, with trips around the UK and Canada, too.

Earlier this year, I fell into a slump. I was lost – and not in that “not all those who wander” sort of way. I had spent the last seven years travelling, staying directionless by choice. I loved the spontaneity, the open road, the ambiguity of my future. This year, however, out of money and wanting to find a steadier path in my career, I knew that I had to stop for a while. Settle, perhaps – that looming, all-consuming word that creeps into the mind of every traveller from time to time. And that idea – settling – made me sadder than I’ve been in many, many years. Instead of settling gracefully, I plopped down like a heavy stone thrown into a lake, sinking darker and deeper with every day. It wasn’t healthy.

And then, something changed. Quite frankly, I woke the fuck up. My life has never been bad, and even in my lowest moments this year I was very aware of that, and appreciated it. Sometimes, however, even with all of the amenities and love one could ask for, depression and confusion can grip tightly, squeeze the life out of its prey. This summer, when moving to London, I realised the changes that had to be made were all within – I was the one in control. And so I started saying yes. I started to grasp the idea that just because I didn’t have a major trip planned doesn’t mean I can’t have adventures. I started opening up, and letting go, and laughing – all of those things we see in cheesy self-help books and on 3pm talk shows. Well, wouldn’t you know it? Those things worked.

NYE Eve

New Year’s Eve Eve in London, England

If I think back to 2013, I’ll look at it as a year of growth. Of figuring my life out, of learning what I love to do and utilising that in my career. Of happiness. Of, and here it is… settling. For now, anyway, because there are very exciting plans for 2014. I’ve written lists of New Year’s resolutions in the past, but this year, I only have one: be a more fulfilled person. To me, that means taking the bad times and making them good. Living life to the absolute fullest, whether that be in London or somewhere else. Learning more, laughing more, loving more.

NYE Eve 2

New Year’s Eve Eve in London, England

Oh yeah, and I also resolve to wear more wigs. We can always wear more wigs.

Guten Rutsch, Bonne Année, Shana Tova, Feliz Año Nuevo, Buon Anno, and Happy New Year!

AustriaEuropeShopping and Markets
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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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9 comments

Ali December 31, 2013 - 5:28 pm

And a very Happy 2014 tou you too. May London provide many adventures for us both in the coming year. So happy and excited we’ll be able to share fun times together for the foreseeable xxx

Reply
Brenna Holeman January 1, 2014 - 5:14 pm

I am so happy and excited, too! Happy 2014. Lots of love xxx

Reply
Zalie December 31, 2013 - 5:50 pm

Probably the best resolution I could think of…along with wearing more wigs of course 🙂

Reply
Brenna Holeman January 1, 2014 - 5:14 pm

Yes! And more glitter, too.

Reply
Emy January 3, 2014 - 12:18 am

Happy New Year Brenna!
I definitely feel like I can relate a lot to many feelings you had towards 2013. It was also for me a year of transition, a year that looked a bit “boring” at first, and a year that brought quite a few unpleasant moments but on the end a year that needed to happen to prepare the ones to follow!
And wigs are awesome!
I wish you all the best!
x

Reply
Brenna Holeman January 3, 2014 - 2:25 am

Thank you so much, Emy – it definitely sounds like we had similar experiences in 2013. Happy New Year to you, too; you are the queen of wigs! x

Reply
Helen January 6, 2014 - 1:14 pm

Love this!

Looking forward to spending more time with you this year! And I want to join in the wig waering. I have a pink and a green version of your blue one. I am good to go! 🙂

Reply
Brenna Holeman January 6, 2014 - 7:48 pm

Yes! Next time you’re in London I say we think of a reason to wear them…

(note: “It’s a Tuesday” is a valid reason)

Reply
2014: A Year in Review - This Battered Suitcase December 28, 2014 - 1:27 am

[…] This time last year, I could have never predicted where I’d be at this exact moment: sitting on the patio of my family’s rented casa in Nicaragua, a spiced rum and coke beside me, the sun dipping low in the sky before it sinks past the ocean’s horizon and out of sight. I thought that 2013 wasn’t a very big year for me, but it was; it was one of transition, of finally moving to London. 2014 started off slow, with almost no plans – soon it grew into a year of travel, a year of accomplishments, and a year of maturing (both in numbers and in mindset). Here’s a little review of the past year. Note: all of these photos are from Instagram, and there are a lot more on my account… so follow along if you’d like! […]

Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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INSPIRATION

Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

About Brenna

This Battered Suitcase is not only about the where and the how of travel, it's about the who and the why.

Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

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"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

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