Blogging

2016 Year in Travel (and Blog) Review!!!

Are you like me and tend to only remember the bad things that happened over the past year? Summarizing the year with thoughts of 2016 was a year, 2017 has to be better, or I’m glad 2016 is behind me.

I think it’s a natural tendency as we head into the New Year with new beginnings and new resolutions to want to make a clean break from the past. In order to do that, we make the past year sound as terrible as we can.

 

This is where I think we get New Year’s resolutions wrong.

I could easily look back at 2016 and reflect on how disastrous it was:

But, would that negative attitude be healthy to my psyche? Would it help me to plan and set goals for 2017?

Absolutely not! Those goals would be rooted in negativity and would be completely unrealistic as I tried to create a new me.

 

Instead, our reflections of the previous year should begin by focusing on the positive outcomes of 2016 and not the negative.

Using my own example, I’ve turned each of the negatives into positives.

  • I may have missed my income goals, but…
    • I had articles appear in actual ink for the first time (Charlotte Parent and Charlotte Happenings).
    • I appeared on local TV multiple times to talk about travel (including once with Deacon).
    • I appeared on a local beer podcast to chat about beer travel.
    • I increased my income level to the point were we can afford part-time childcare for Deacon with the hope of making even more money in the future.
    • I launched a successful beta for my e-course.
    • I went on eight press trips.
  • My eye doctor may have tried to take my drivers license away, but…
    • The treatments helped and my vision improved.
  • My wife may have lost her job, but…
    • She essentially had a three-month vacation with her paid severance and accrued PTO. During that time, she spent some quality time with Deacon and we traveled to Carolina Beach for a family vacation, went on an epic road trip through Alabama and Tennessee, and flew to Phoenix to visit with family.
    • She landed a better job at a much better company with a higher salary. Essentially, she landed a promotion.
  • My grandmother may have passed away, but…
    • She lived to be an incredible 96-years old!
    • Her memorial service was a beautiful testament to how we should all aspire to live.
    • Most importantly, she met Deacon before she got sick.
  • A tornado may have hit my townhouse, but…
    • Nobody was hurt.
    • The damage wasn’t severe.
    • We all get new roofs (an expense the HOA was dreading).

 

And, I was able to go on some amazing trips like…

My first press trip post Deacon’s arrival to Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

 

A beer fueled space adventure to Huntsville, Alabama.

 

Each month I publish a Blog Income Report to inspire others to plan their own exit strategy from the cubicle hamster race. Here's February's edition.

 

A sights, suds, and taste tour of St Simons Island, Georgia.

 

Each month I publish a Blog Income Report to inspire others to plan their own exit strategy from the cubicle hamster race. Here's April’s edition.

 

Our first attempt at traveling to New York City with Deacon.

 

Visiting New York City with a Baby isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. These helpful tips will ensure that you and your family have an awesome vacation.

 

A brewery and distillery tour of Northern Ireland (a bucket list destination for me).

 

Each month I publish a Blog Income Report to inspire others to plan their own exit strategy from the cubicle hamster race. Here's April’s edition.

 

Deacon’s first Easter in The Villages, Florida.

 

21 Essential Tips for Successful Road Trip with a Baby. Covering everything from what to pack to when to schedule the journey

 

My second TBEX in Minneapolis, Minnesota and hung out with Mark Stutrud of Summit Brewing

 

Brewery Spotlight: Summit Brewing in St Paul, Minnesota – Summit Brewing in St Paul has been pumping out amazing craft beer for over 30 years! Find out why Summit has withstood the test of time by visiting the brewery!

 

 

Our first family vacation in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

 

Easy to implement tips for staying healthy on a beach vacation for those of us who dread the word diet and exercise on their vacation. Yes, you can enjoy your beach vacation without gaining weight!

 

An epic road trip with stops in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Henderson, North Carolina.

 

Each month I publish a travel blog income report to inspire others to exit he cubicle hamster race. Here's November's edition.

 

The App State versus Miami game in Boone, North Carolina (which was also our first couples’ weekend).

 

Couples Getaway to Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Blowing Rock has everything you need for a perfect couples weekend away - great restaurants, beautiful scenery, romantic cabins and hotels, and plenty of activities to participate in together.

 

A trip to Phoenix so Deacon could meet his great-grandmother.

 

Each month I publish a travel blog income report to inspire others to exit he cubicle hamster race. Here's November's edition.

 

Too. Much. Beer. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

 

 

An adrenaline fueled drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

Plan your Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip through North Carolina with our guide, including suggestions for sightseeing, food, and beer!

 

A few days in Asheville to update my 48-Hour Asheville Beer Guide.

 

From brewery visits to beer sampling to at home consumption, each month I try a lot of beer. Here is my favorites from November summarized in my November Craft Beer Report.

 

Another trip to Tuscaloosa for Thanksgiving.

 

 

A writers retreat to Old Edward’s Inn and Spa in the Highlands, North Carolina.

 

 

Back to Phoenix for Christmas!

 

 

Only by looking at the positives can we then create proper New Year’s goals and resolutions. The idea is to keep the positive momentum moving forward, and not starting from scratch. You don’t need to create a new you, but a best you.

 

So, I ask you dear readers, what was your greatest accomplishment of 2016 and how can you expand upon it to create your best you in 2017?

Where all did the Wandering Gourmand craft beer travel blog travel to in 2016? Find out in our 2016 year in review!