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Lifestyle

This (This) New Year

written by Brenna Holeman January 2, 2013

brenna-in-rio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Happy New Year!

Last year, for 2012, I made ten resolutions. They were:

– finish my travel writing course

– take Spanish lessons (to become fluent by September of 2013)

– travel through Central and South America for at least six months

 – take at least one short holiday in the spring (preferably to Cuba or an island in the Caribbean)

– save a lot (a lot) of money 

 – become a little bit stronger (planning ahead for hiking)

– read at least forty new books

– have a few more travel articles published

 – learn how to play my new harmonium

– be single (travel flings excepted)

I actually kept most of them; I went to Cuba in March, and then travelled through Central and South America for eight months. In order to do so, I saved a lot of money in the spring. I read a lot of books (though not 40), was able to do all the hikes I wanted to, had some articles published, took Spanish lessons in both Guatemala and Bolivia, and stayed single (while yes, still enjoying dating and meeting new people). I didn’t finish my writing course, nor did I really learn how to play my harmonium, but I think I kept up with most of them because they were all realistic and reasonable.

And this year, 2013?

-finish my travel writing course

-organise all of my belongings and sell/donate at least half of what I own

-become physically stronger (a better swimmer at the very least)

-move to London, England

-start a Master’s degree in September

-continue studying Spanish

-publish more writing

-visit at least two new countries

-become better on the ukulele

-start singing again

-log at least 15 more dives

-write on this blog a lot more/chronicle the past 7 years and 78 countries!

-travel (always)

So, which of these do you think I won’t accomplish?

Do you have any resolutions or goals for 2013?

*Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!*

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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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10 comments

raph_el January 2, 2013 - 4:25 am

Yes! One that is the same as yours: ¡Aprender español!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase January 2, 2013 - 5:05 am

Debemos estudiar mucho! Jaja

Reply
Kristina January 2, 2013 - 6:07 am

Sounds like some great resolutions!! And moving to London? So exciting!! Happy 2013!
Kristina x

Reply
Colleen Brynn January 2, 2013 - 6:05 pm

Have you chosen the program you want to do for a masters? Can’t wait to see what you end up doing! I’m such a sucker for education. You will be brilliant! xo

Reply
This Battered Suitcase January 2, 2013 - 7:05 pm

Kristina – That’s the plan! Of course, there are visas to contend with and schools to apply to…but…fingers crossed!

Colleen – Thank you! I’m hoping to get into a writing program there…

Reply
Katie January 2, 2013 - 7:42 pm

Well. I’m guessing you’re the type of person who can accomplish anything you set your mind to, but if I had to guess which one you might not do, it’d be chronicling the last 7 years of your travels on this blog. I’m guessing you’ll be too busy planning new travels (and completing your other goals) to go backwards. 😉

Reply
Katie @ Domestiphobia.net January 2, 2013 - 7:46 pm

Dammit. That comment was supposed to be this account. It said it would ask but it lied.

Reply
Antastesia. January 2, 2013 - 8:54 pm

Happy new year to you!
That’s a great picture!

As for my resolutions,
I want to try diving for the first time, I’m quite scared but I really want to!
Start running, try to pass the JLPT level 3 and do better videos on youtube.
I can’t wait to read all your new post of 2013 and I wish you the very best!
Hope everything turns out well for your great move to London! Would love to see you there since it’s so close to Paris!

xx

Reply
This Battered Suitcase January 8, 2013 - 10:31 pm

Katie – I would tend to agree with you! I’m barely able to keep up with this last year, let alone the six that came before it…

Antastesia – You have some great resolutions! I really hope you’ll try diving, I’m sure you’ll love it. Thank you so much for the kind words, and yes, I’m sure to be in Paris at some point soon! Happy New Year!

Reply
This New Year (and Guten Rutsch) - This Battered Suitcase December 31, 2013 - 4:10 pm

[…] 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 […]

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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