My End of Year Review: 16 Highlights from 2016!
2016.
It gave us Brexit, Trump and Honey G. It gave us the crisis in Aleppo, multiple terror attacks in Europe, and it gave us one of the most tumultuous years in history. We also lost an awful lot of famous, truly inspiring people in 2016; David Bowie, Terry Wogan, George Michael, Alan Rickman and Prince to name but a few.
For me, on a personal level, 2016 actually turned out to be one of the best years of my life. I’ve crammed a ridiculous amount in to the past 12 months; I road tripped across America, inter-railed around Italy, rocked out at V Fest, got dressed up to go to Ascot Races, enjoyed two amazing family/best friends weddings, visited London and Liverpool more times than I can even remember, celebrated my mum and dad’s 25th wedding anniversary and went to the theatre numerous times.
Oh aaaaand I quit my office job to become a full time freelancer – no biggie! My blog also went from strength to strength; I was nominated for an award, attended my first ever blogger conferences, received local press coverage, went on my first press trip and underwent a total rebrand.
Time has gone super quick, although January seems like AGES ago and I still can’t believe the amount I packed in to this year! I’m so grateful for the amazing places I have travelled to, and I’m pleased to announce that planning for my 2017 European Adventure is well underway! But let’s take a step back first, run through the year between January and December, and see why 2016 was so great for me. Here are my highlights…
I watched Les Mis in London’s West End (January)
I announced my new life decision to the world (March)
I was shortlisted for best travel blog at UK Blog Awards (April)
I celebrated my sister’s 21st birthday (May)
I went to two amazing weddings in two days (June)
I flew to LA by myself to start my American adventure (June)
I helicoptered across the Grand Canyon (June)
I parasailed on Daytona Beach (June)
I ran around Walt Disney World for the first time (June)
I celebrated Independence Day in New York City (July)
I celebrated my mum and dads 25th Wedding Anniversary (July)
I inter-railed around Italy (September)
I explored the Collosseum in Rome (September)
I started my freelance business full-time (October)
I went on my first ever press trip as a blogger (October)
I celebrated Christmas at home with my wonderful family (December)
So there we have it, my top highlights of 2016! It was sooo hard to narrow it down, especially as so much has happened this year, but these highlights gave me some of my happiest memories that I will cherish forever. I’m now looking ahead to the new year and am super excited to see where 2017 will take me… Happy New Year everyone, see you on the other side!
Love Jess x
Wowzers, 2016 was definitely your year – you rocked it! So many awesome adventures, and I can only see 2017 being even MORE exciting for you 😀
Thankyou so much!! 2016 was a pretty amazing year for me and am hoping to top it in 2017 with even more travel adventures! Happy new year! 🌎✈️ Jess X
Oh wow, it looks like you’ve had a truly incredible year!
Thankyou Alice!! I did have a pretty good 2016- I hope you did too! Happy belated new year! Jess X