Looking at What’s to Come in 2016

2015 was the greatest year of my life so far and before I knew it it was over. Aside from spending so many days traveling in 2015, I also got engaged & crushed some travel and writing goals of mine. I realize that this probably sounds like I’ve resigned to this being the best year ever, but that’s not true at all! This year is going to be even better. I have a few things planned and I also know that this is a year of building and that’s going to lead to even more amazing things in the following years. Here’s a look at what’s to come in 2016!

What’s Coming in 2016?

I ‘ M   G E T T I N G   M A R R I E D ! 

On June 18th I’m having my dream, boho, nature-inspired wedding and marrying the love of my life on my grandma’s farm. Then, I’m having an awesome trees-filled-with-lights, dance-under-the-stars with all of my people reception. Wanna know the best part?! I’m marrying my best friend and the love of my life!

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I ‘ M   V I S I T I N G   M Y   5 0 t h   S T A T E 

We’ve known we wanted to honeymoon here from the time we got engaged and  we’ve decided that, bare minimum (we’re still planning this out), we’re going to Kauai for seven days of natural bliss in the mountains and on the beach! I cannot wait to get our fill of the tropical weather, the canyons, the waterfalls, the beaches and time with Matt!

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I   G E T   T O   E X P L O R E   T H E   O Z A R K S   W /   M Y   F A M I L Y

The Ozarks is a really beautiful place, and a bit of a hidden gem in the U.S., that we’re incredibly close to here in SW Missouri. The best part is that I get to explore this place with some of my very favorite people.

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G O I N G   B A C K   T O   A S H E V I L L E

Asheville is where my heart is, I should say where our hearts are. At least one trip back is a MUST for us – especially since Matt’s parents will be there for the summer. It’s like John Muir said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” Believe me, my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains are screaming for me.

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Travel & Writing Goals

L I V E   I N T E N T I O N A L L Y

photo by Christian Gideon

This goal was first inspired in fall of 2014 while reading Thoreau’s journals and it’s something that I really tried to make a point of last year. To be honest, it was really easy while living in Asheville because it’s so easy to follow your dreams & be grateful there. We could go up in the mountains within minutes and soak up those peaceful beauties that extend for miles and miles. You can get all kinds of inspiration from artists and creatives in the area. Once moving back to the Midwest I struggled a little, but I am motivated to soak up all the amazing experiences there are to be had here in 2016 and be sure that I’m living a life that I’m proud to be living.

L E A V E   T H E   C O U N T R Y 

I’m not sure how well this one is going to work out for me this year. However, I’ve gone out of the country every year since I was 19 years old, and I don’t want it to stop anytime soon. However, there are no plans & this is our year of saving, so I guess we’ll see what happens.

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V I S I T    T W E L V E   M U S E U M S 

This is a goal that I had last year and ended up visiting 14 museums last year. It’s essentially one museum a month and it’s a fun way to motivate yourself to check out museums in your own home town or to drive to see something new. It’s a fun & educational travel experience.

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G E T   1 1 6   H I K I N G   M I L E S   I N

I have set a 100 mile goal for the past few years without breaking it, but last year was my year. I got just over 106 miles, so I’ve decided every year I’m not only going to reach the goal, but pass the previous year’s number by 10! So, this year I’m shooting for 116 miles! I’m excited to get outside!

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R E A D   S I X   T R A V E L   B O O K S

I passed this goal last year too, but I also had A LOT of time on night buses to read, so I’m not going to up this number this year. I’m excited for the wanderlust that other writers inspire.

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F I N I S H   M Y   A S I A   B O O K

When I got settled in Asheville last year, I started working on a book about my travels in SE Asia. I haven’t worked on it once this year, but I’m working on a schedule to give myself a set amount of time a few days a week to try to focus on getting it finished. It all depends on how my creativity flows, I suppose.

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W O R K   O N   M Y   P H O T O G R A P H Y   S K I L L S

I did a lot of photographing last year, but I’m very eager to learn as much as possible. Matt is an amazing photographer and knows so much more about cameras and lightroom than I do and I love that I get to learn from him! He’s pretty much the best! 

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F I N D   I N S P I R A T I O N   &   W R I T E   D A I L Y

It’s easy to be inspired when you’re backpacking through SE Asia, living in the mountains or on an epic road trip, but finding inspiration in daily life isn’t always as easy. However, I love that I have been able to find inspiration in my daily life and seeing the beauty wherever I am. Plus, writing in an incredibly cozy coffee shop is always inspiration in itself.

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I N S P I R E   T R A V E L 

The whole point of this blog is to hopefully inspire people. I want people to travel. To see the world. To experience new cultures. To take a road trip. To go on a hike. Anything! Get out there and explore! I hope that by sharing my genuine experiences and being very transparent about methods of money saving and “how to” posts that everyone can see that travel is possible for anyone who makes it a priority.

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What is 2016 bringing you? Any new adventures? I’d love to hear where 2016 is taking you!

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