Dear readers,

Is it Christmas time already? Gosh this year went fast. I am writing this, as it happens, on the shortest day of the year: the Winter Solace. It is also the anniversary of my cat, Kitty’s death. Two years ago, I had to let her go, and for two years, I still shed a tear when I think of how her sudden appearance in my life 16 years ago made me a better human.

But I am not here to talk about that. I want to talk about 2022. It has been one hell of a year, a year that I could only dream of when I first dipped my toes in the murky waters of travel writing about 20 years ago (perhaps one day I should share this story with you).

Coming out of two  years of pandemic uncertainty, I didn’t expect 2022 to become rather successful. My continued contribution to Italia! magazine had me going back and forth to beautiful Italy. From a quick trip to Abruzzo on invitation by Palazzo Ricci, to experiencing sustainable resorts of Tuscany with Borgo Pignano and Il Borro. Writing for other publications took me on five days of hiking along the wine and castle route of Alsace with InnTravel, an adventure break in Tenerife, drinking amazing craft beer in Lille, then it was back to Italy where I followed the footsteps of St Francis in Umbria with OnFoot Holidays, enjoyed some cycling in Puglia with Uniqly and visited the postcard town of Alberobello.

Then, just as I thought I’d never be able to venture outside France and Italy (two of my destination specialties) – I had the opportunity to visit Trondheim, one of 2022’s European City of Gastronomy, and another quick visit to Pays de Gex for The Good Life France magazine. Then, I took myself on a bikepacking tour of the coasts of Estonia, a bit more adventure back to Italy to cover the Aosta Valley region, before getting on a long haul flight to visit my destination of the year: Bhutan.

Bhutan was a dream come true, for the Dragon Kingdom had been on my radar for years and years. By then, it was September, and I thought my year was over as I usually start to slow down from October on. Then a last minute opportunity to visit Tuscany again on invitation by Tuscany Now and More to sample one of their luxury villas, and then Italy again to sample a new long distance cycling route – Le Vie del Bike, before being whisked off by Wideroe Airlines to experience winter in Bergen and Tromso.

Not to mention, in between these travels, I was able to attend Beethovenfest in Bonn, and visit my friends in Saarbrücken and Limoges.

There were some moments of doubt too – FRACE magazine was discontinued after years of being one of the popular magazines about travelling and living in France. I’ve lost five commissions, but thankfully, was able to offer one story to France Today, another great magazine, and have since established this connection with the editor who gave me two further pieces of work after.

See, I told you, it’s been a year of wonderful travelling and work, and I have met many great people along the way.

All of this meant I was able to sustain a living from travel writing. At the same time, I also had the opportunity to work separately as a casual project consultant to a boss (whom I have worked with in my former corporate life) who understood my travelling needs and allowed me to work my own hours and pace. The income I earned from this side job gave me extra cash for life’s little luxuries such as a gym membership and a massage or two when I need it. This job will be coming to an end at the end of January, but it has given me wings to fly on my own terms for the past two years, and I am truly grateful.

Yes, challenges are still there, mostly associated with continued struggle with my mental health. But I am learning to cope and thanking each and every day that I can go to bed smiling.

Still, things can get all a bit negative right now. I have to admit I’ve stopped following the news, knowing there is still too many conflicts, too much suffering going on. It overwhelms me, so I’ve chosen to retreat to my own immediate world. Apologies if it sounds all so selfish, but just because I don’t display physical concern over issues doesn’t mean I am not thinking about them. If there is something I can do to help even just one person, I would, but I know, there will be infinite people who need help. So I do what I can, when I can, in my immediate surroundings, knowing that I can’t save the world, but even the smallest kindness can make someone’s day.

Having said that, I have been on the receiving end of many people’s kindness and generosity, and for that, I thank you, from the deepest corners of my heart.

What have I learned this year? That life will always throw us challenges, and it is up to us how we respond to them. I sincerely wish, that each and everyone of you, if you are reading this, that the new year will bring you much hope and happiness, and little pleasant surprises like those 2022 that been throwing at me. Let’s make our 2023 another wonderful year to be alive.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Thank you for reading.

Amy x