My Year In Review: 2018

I know it’s terribly self-indulgent, but everyone else is doing it and I’m easily led when it comes to blogging trends (and booking flights and anything that involves gin) so I thought I’d write a little round-up post for 2018. Where I went, what I achieved, what I posted on While I’m Young; that kinda thing. It’s slightly early because I’ll be dodging my laptop in Saint Lucia for the final dreggs of 2018, but hopefully you won’t mind. I actually like reading these ‘year in review’ type posts from some of my favourite bloggers because they’re a bit more personal than the average go-here, eat-there, wear-this post, so I figured it was worth writing one. Let’s scroll back to January 1st, 2018.

2018: What I did, where I went

New Year in Jamaica

I started 2018 in Jamaica, which wasn’t too shabby. I seem to be making a habit of spending New Years Eve in the Caribbean and I’m not mad about that! I’d always wanted to go to Jamaica and it didn’t disappoint. We did an all-inclusive holiday with TUI and ate ALL the jerk chicken on the beach while enjoying the hotel beverages, but still managed to get out and explore too. We did some of the best cultural stuff to do in Jamaica, including going to Bob Marley’s hometown and climbing Dunn’s River Falls. 10/10, would do again.

 

Rediscovering my love of Spain

My first work trip of 2018 was to Costa del Sol with Jet2 and a really lovely bunch of fellow digital content creators. We walked the slightly scary Caminito del Rey and spent a wonderful day in Ronda, a place I’d never even heard of before the trip. Ate a lot of jamón, which made me very happy. This flying visit totally cemented my love affair with Spain. It was the first time I’d ever been to Málaga. Here’s a pic of me in a dodgy hardhat suspended in mid-air for reference.

 

A trip to Morocco for work and pleasure

I think my favourite trip of the year was the week I spent in Morocco with Flexpat, a company for digital nomads. I’d travelled to Mexico and Colombia with a similar company the previous year, and realised how refreshing it is to travel with a group of likeminded location-independent workers, but still having the freedom to go off and explore on my own. I got lost in Marrakech‘s hectic souks and felt the wind in my hair in Essaouira (seriously. It’s so windy there). Morocco completely charmed me and I’d encourage everyone to go, but to read my female solo travel safety tips for Morocco first (whether you’re going alone or not).

 

Seeing more of the UK

I finally made it ‘Dahn South’ to Bristol for two days! I’ve only been to London a handful of times and at least now I can say I’ve been SOMEWHERE else in the south of England. I bloody loved Bristol, it’s got such a nice vibe. You know how some cities just ooze personality (Edinburgh, I’m lookin’ at you kid)? Bristol is one of those.

I was definitely reminded, this year, of the joys of UK travel. As well as Bristol, I spent time getting to know Manchester, Chester, Whitby and closer to home, Newcastle. So much to see in our own neck of the woods, and you get to eat M&S snacks on the train. What’s not to love?

Missing the island

I didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked back home in Isle of Man, but I was there for the best time of year: the TT races, which is basically a two-week long motorbike festival. I don’t care for motorbikes but I love the atmosphere on the ‘rock’ during those two weeks because the place just transforms and everyone is out enjoying themselves. Hopefully I can go back for TT 2019.

I even finally got round to writing a comprehensive guide to things to do on Isle of Man, which I’d been meaning to do for ages. I’m very keen for more people to visit my diamond isle!

Visiting a place that wasn’t on my list

One of the things I love about travel blogging is that I get to visit places I probably wouldn’t pick as a ‘normal’ traveller, find out why they shouldn’t be overlooked and then inspire people to go see these places for themselves. In June I had a press trip to Luxembourg, a country I’d never otherwise think to visit. Highly recommend if you like fairytale castles! The destination has a reputation for being pricey but they’ve just made public transport free and there are always cheap flights to be found online.

Read my guide to places to visit in Luxembourg City and around the country if you’re going in 2019.

Getting my glamp on

My standout UK weekend in 2018 was definitely the two nights Tom and I spent glamping in Perthshire, Scotland. We stayed in this wildly luxurious yurt in the middle of nowhere, drank champagne in the hot tub and ate barbecued burgers. These are some of my best memories from the year.

 

A big Greek wedding

One of the most memorable moments of 2018 was watching my cousin get married in Greece. She chose beautiful Lindos in Rhodes, which I highly recommend if you love Santorini’s vibes but not its pricetag. I hadn’t had a family holiday like that since I was a kid, so it felt very special. I didn’t blog about the trip though; it was a family occasion and some things don’t need to be relived online.

I said yes

We got back from Greece and got engaged! Tom popped the question the day after we got back to England, after four years together (plus a few more years before that as mates). It was such a special moment and I spent a lot of time getting excited about, and then stressing over, wedding plans shortly after.

I wanted to have an engagement party but got a bit overwhelmed when I realised I’d be the one planning it, so I abandoned that idea. Oh well, we’ll make up for it at the wedding. If we ever get it booked. Here’s a rare picture of Tom, who is very camera shy. You know, just like his fiancé…

 

A bucket list adventure

Perhaps my most epic trip of 2018 was to the Norwegian Fjords with P&O Cruises. What an adventure! I kayaked on the fjords, saw a real-life glacier (finally, after choosing cider over ice in New Zealand when I was 21, oops) and whizzed across the fjord in a rubber dinghy with a fisherman. I cycled. I HATE cycling, but I did it. I realised I don’t have to be QUITE so scared of anything that involves me steering a vehicle and I remembered why nature was so amazing.

Norway will do that to you.

 

Sunny Cyprus

I also visited Cyprus for the first time. It was a very busy press trip so we got to see a lot of the island, including Paphos and the Troodos Mountains. Cyprus had never been that high on my list of places to go but I loved it and would definitely go back for a holiday. My mum actually booked her own holiday there after watching my Instagram Stories. Hashtag So Influenced.

 

Winning a Northern Blog Award

Speaking of influence, one of the highlights of my year was winning Best Travel Influencer in the Northern Blog Awards. What an honour, and SO unexpected. I never win awards, and I always thought it was because I’m crap at networking. I don’t actually know THAT many other bloggers and I rarely go to events. (Blaming it on being bad at socialising was easier than just admitting I wasn’t good enough at travel blogging, lol). Anyway, obviously I don’t do this for recognition (just wanna see the world, write and make enough money to not starve), but it felt extremely good to win.

I’m not 100% in love with the term ‘influencer’ and I’d never introduce myself as one (anyone who does needs to have a word with themselves), but I guess it does serve as a good descriptor of one of the elements of the digital content creation industry. The word gives me the ick and makes me feel like some sort of scammy hypnotist who tricks people into buying stuff, but I’ll take what I can get. Here I am with my trophy, (under the influence).

 

Other successes (and failures)

What else? I failed four driving tests (but passed my theory). Ate some very good food. Got really into running for like two weeks. Bid my little brother farewell as he jetted off to Australia, simultaneously trying not to die with jealousy. Felt unparalleled rage when two different men suggested my Dad was funding my life. Just the usual stuff, really.

I also launched my freelance business, SocialLily this year. I’ve been helping brands with their social media and other online content, but I haven’t had much time to update the business website because well, I got lots of work that kept me busy. I have no idea where 2019 will take me, but I hope you’ll join me for the ride.

 

2018, I was in you for a good time not a long time. I’ll be in Saint Lucia for Christmas and New Year, so I’m ending on a high note! As always, thank you to each and every one of you who takes the time to read my blog and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. You’re all so wonderful!

What’s your best memory from 2018?