I’ve missed this corner of the web. I have missed writing, and I have missed connecting with you through the blogosphere.

I’ve been meaning to write this post not really knowing where to start or what to say.

I still sit back some days, laughing and shaking my head, thinking about the events that took place last year. What even happened?!

2017 was brutal. It proved to be one of the toughest years I have ever faced, both physically and emotionally, and it simply drained me of my inspiration to write. It was as if the year was demanding my full undivided attention, and I had no choice but to oblige.

The theme was Fall. Recover. Fall. Repeat. It was a mix of E.R. visits, two medical surgeries in the span of four months… family deaths, constant bad news…more bad news, and a draining bank account. Would you believe that my bank card was charged nearly $1,000 worth of purchases made on the other side of the USA? Those scammers! And it did not happen just once.

It was such a weird, crappy year. If someone sat me down to warn me about 2017, I’d laugh and probably say, “Ha! You have got to be shittin’ me.”

But even through the chaos, there were so many other milestones worth celebrating, like graduations and getting married. We even managed to squeeze in some very exciting trips through the year.

…And I welcomed my 30^th birthday. I wish I could say I welcomed this new decade with the clearest of minds and an IDGAF-attitude that everyone says comes with your thirties. But it was the exact opposite. I had just finished recovering from my second surgery and felt incredibly self-conscious about the changes my body was going through. It all felt so superficial and it probably didn’t help that I was already drained of my energy. I’ll admit I was being too hard on myself…

So I allowed myself the time to fully recover – both body and spirit. I surrendered to the natural flow of life and just let things be. Mostly I wanted to enter the new year with a clear and well-rested mind.

Time just kind of disappeared, and before I knew it we were welcoming another year.

And so, here I am. Still breathing, still loving, still smiling knowing 2018 will be whatever we make of it.

I wanted to write this post as a reminder that shit doesn’t always piece perfectly together. 2017 was that year for me. But I’m happy to say this new year has already been great to me.

Hello, friends — it’s been a while! I’m back. It’s 2018. I look forward to coming back to this blog to share all the exciting stories and places the road has taken me. And I hope you’ve stayed for the ride! :)

Love & Adventure,

Denise

At Sou’Wester, one of my favorite locations on the WA coast.

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Stay curious, wild hearts!

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