At this time of year I tend to take a look backwards in order to remind myself of all the positive experiences I’ve had, before pondering and setting intentions for the coming year. Here are some of my highlights from 2018.
I’ve never been one for new year’s resolutions, but I like to think I’m always growing and learning and despite my focus last year being on health and wellbeing, I’ve decided that 2019 will follow a similar theme, but with greater focus on the cultivation of personal inner peace and happiness.
2018 – A Year Of Big Personal Change
2018 proved to be another trying year, particularly from a personal perspective and after a lifetime of living in a family home with my daugther and partner, the past year has been very different.
My daughter moved out and bought her own home, my long-term relationship came to an end and a short-lived toxic relationship came to an abrupt end back in the summer, meaning I finished the year living alone for the first time in my life.
Lonliness is something I think people can be ashamed of admitting to feeling, but I’ve been quite open about how I feel. I find the experience of getting home from work and having no one to talk to; no one to ask about their day or tell about my own, and no one to laugh with or take care of quite difficult.
This sense of lonliness has come as a surprise to me, as I’ve always been happy to do things on my own and consider myself to be highly independent. I have a lot of amazing friends all over the country (though none that live close by) and whilst I’m always busy and have plenty of different hobbies to keep me both active and occupied, I’m finding that none of these things is helping to assuage the pervasive feeling of lonliness.
As well as being independent, I am also adaptable and am not one to fear change, Indeed I actively embrace it, so I know that in time I’ll get used to living alone, but in the meantime I’m not going to pretend that I find it easy or enjoyable.
I’ve decided to reframe things and focus on cultivating inner pace and happiness which I hope in time will lead to a greater feeling of contentment.
All the energy I’ve spent my entire life putting into ensuring other people are happy and cared for, I plan to direct at myself, so the coming year is one I intend to make all about me.
With this new ‘me’ focus in mind, I’ve already tried several new things and have made plans and bookings for the new year, from Reiki and yoga sessions to group guided walking meditations, glamping breaks and theatre visits and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how 2019 turns out.
A Few Highlights From 2018
1. Gaining My PADI Certification
Gaining my PADI scuba diver certification and diving with nurse sharks in Cozumel, Mexico was perhaps the biggest highlight of the year. I took my daughter away for a week of well deserved relaxation and though I’d not planned to do it, she knew I’d always wanted to and talked me into going for it and I’m so glad that I did.
2. Outdoor Bloggers Annual Meet Up
Getting together with like-minded people is always a joy and a group of us meet up once a year for a weekend of camping and walking. This year we spent a few days up in Yorkshire and I had a wonderful time.
3. Besties Summer Camping Trip
Each year a few of us head to our favourite campsite, Cae Du in Wales to spend a few days together chilling, crafting, walking and generally just enjoying each others company. I had a wonderful swim in the sea and the weather was utterly glorious, making it a perfect few days with some of my favourite people.
4. Walking In The Highlands
At Easter I headed up to the Scottish Highlands for what has become my annual glamping and walking trip. This year I chose Loch Katrine Eco Lodges as my base for a few days and enjoyed lots of walking and exploring in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park.
5. Whitby Goth Weekend
I made another annual pilgramage up to Whitby for a weekend of dressing up, dancing, drinking and dining in the beautiful seaside town of Whitby. We booked a cottage and had a fantastically fun time.
6. Redescovering My Love Of Music
As a child I taught myself to read music and to play the piano…but then I discovered boys and raves and well, the whole music thing fell by the wayside. With more time on my hands, it’s given me the opportunity to redescover some of the things I used to enjoy, and playing piano is one of them. I’m truly terrible I should stress, but I enjoy it, and it’s something I’m going to persist with in the coming year.
7. A Family Weekend On The Coast
For my sisters 40th I booked us a beautiful huge holiday house overlooking the sea and spent a few days with my family celebrating. We enjoyed some wonderful coastal walks as well as lots of great food and merry making!
8. Private Hot Tub Glamping In The Brecon Beacons
One of my favourite glamping stays during the year was with Wigwam Holidays in the Brecon Beacons. The private wood-fired hot tub was a true delight, and I went walking and kayaking and had a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days.
Closing Thoughts For 2018
As usual, I’d like to use my last blog of 2018 to thank my friends, family, readers and followers for continuing to support Camping with Style.
I’m hugely grateful for the positive feedback I and knowing that the things I write about resonnate and are of interest to a wider audience, is extremely rewarding, so thank you all.
I wish you love, health and happiness in 2019.
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