My plans in 2014 – the year of big changes
As some of you following my Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler Facebook have noticed, a good number of my statuses in 2014 were not so positive as usual. I know, I still tried to write down a few things I am grateful for every night to inspire many of you too as almost every day someone have sent me a message how much these positive statuses of mines help them to move forward.
But overall, in the first half of 2014 I was more depressed than ever and more upset than ever.
Most of all, for the past year, I have been going through the biggest personal transformation in my life.
And as you know, no change is easy.
Many non-traditional things happened so far in 2014 …
In the first 6 months of 2014 I have not visited any new country. I planned to go all the way from Panama up to Mexico visiting Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala (4 new countries) but ended up spending too much time in Panama and Costa Rica instead.
In the first 6 months of 2014 I was lazy and I lost inspiration. I felt like doing nothing. I did not want to blog, nor plan anything, nor crazy move from one place to another like before. I wanted to swing in my hammock and walk barefoot along the beach watching the sunset.
In the first 6 months of 2014 I volunteered for the first time ever – learned 150 things volunteering at Blue Osa in Costa Rica.
In the first 6 months of 2014 I spent an entire month traveling with the same person and even sleeping in the same bed … and for the first time ever nothing happened (yes, it was a guy) :D
In the first 6 months of 2014 I participated on a few yoga retreats starting with my first of the Exotic Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica.
In the first 6 months of 2014 I became more of a spiritual person and meditated more than in the previous 29 years of my life. I have also chose many destinations based on the possibility of practicing yoga there, such as Bocas Yoga I visited twice to learn how to stay fit in Bocas del Toro there, or in Puerto Viejo area, such as Samasati Nature Retreat.
In the first 6 months of 2014 I drank more coconuts than ever in my life and ate less meat than ever, too. The first time I tried to travel for longer period of time as a raw vegan (not 100% successful but working hard on it.)
In the first 6 months of 2014 I also realized I could spend hours observing animals and get energy from nature.
with Nomad is Beautiful and Po svete po svojom bloggers
The first half of 2014 was so different to any other past year … hundreds of good things happened and I grew as a person mentally, physically and spiritually … definitely more than ever before. But on the other hand, like I said, I had no energy to write.
I had a sort of a burnout or a writer’s block. Hundreds of emails (right now I have 966 important emails to reply to!!!) and a growing pile of articles with sponsors waiting for them asap was very overwhelming and hard at times.
Blogging became harder and harder. More and more things to learn and to do …
The society and friends’ pressure … ”You still don’t have a boyfriend?? You’re gonna be 30! When do you want to have a family?”
Traveling solo was not fun any more and I wanted to have someone to talk to, or rub my back when necessary.
So I went back ”home” to Slovakia to spend some time with my family and just forget about everything.
I met many awesome people in Slovakia. Some old friends, some bloggers, some new friends … many looking for inspiration, for happiness, for a partner, for a spiritual life, for being grateful for details.
I started to meditate more, practice more yoga, be grateful for little things that make my day again and spend more time with my family and friends.
It all inspired me so much I began to write articles and respond to emails again.
Now I am back on track full of inspiration and loads of new ideas :)
But the Slovak summer is going to end soon and I really need Sun.
So I decided I will spend the whole month of September in my favorite country – in Mexico.
I booked flights via Webjet (there’s also a Webjet hotel booking site) and will attend TBEX in Cancun. I have not been to a travel blogger conference for way too long so it’s about the time again. My last conference was TBEX in Toronto in June 2013 and haven’t seen many blogger friends ever since. Just wish they were all going to Cancun but many of them have other plans already …
I need the Caribbean sun to heal all my wounds and to keep inspiring me for the rest of 2014 :)
So 2 weeks of September in Mexico, then I am off to Thailand for a week to watch Muay Thai matches at Lumpini. On the last day of September I will fly to Aruba island for 5 days and then I will relax in Yucatan in Mexico for a few days. Relax, finally, and I mean it!
Then I will visit London for a weekend before going back to Slovakia to work on some ideas I’ve got and to finish some ebooks. Wish me luck :)
I have other countries on my bucket list, too … Israel, Jordan, Bora Bora, Palau islands, … so many places to visit. Will see what turns out by the end of 2014.
Crazy sexy fun traveler – Natalia Jakubcova photography
*photo credit: the last photo was taken by Natalia Jakubcova. Check out Natalia Jakubcova photography.
Lina @ Divergent Travelers
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So many people think that traveling and blogging is a life of luxury!! Well, you and I both know it is not. We have all been there and I think the way you slowed down to reevaluate was perfect. Cheers to the next 6 months!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks so much, Lina :) All the best to you, too ;)
Francois | The Luxe Insider
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Hi! Any plan to visit Asia ? If so contact me, I have plenty of interesting addresses:)
By the way South America has so many spots to see, you are right to focus on it!
Petra
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Alexandra, I know what are you writing about. I also feel like I lost my inspiration for everything, especially in this “fake summer” season… But I’m glad that you found yours and made such amazing plans (and maybe even a bit jealous – I’m still dreaming of travelling, especially in Europe – Paris or Rome, but it’s so far… !). If you’ll ever miss some ”colder” countries, visit us as well, please – we have a very rare tidal lake around, not only for sport lovers but for everyone who likes beautiful nature (check, it looks like this ). Happy travels! :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks, Petra, so much! I hope you regain your energy and inspiration, it can get tough, but I am sure you can make it sooner than later :) Wow, the nature there looks amazing!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Jana Burikova:
Thanks so much, Jani :)) best for you, too ;)
Jana Burikova
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Alex, enjoy the rest of 2014.wish you all the best and thank you for your posts xx
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Hannah @ GettingStamped:
Thanks Hannah, hope you get over the block asap, too. It can get frustrating … Nope, no Athens for me, just Cancun this year, have too many plans. Have fun!
Hannah @ GettingStamped
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We are in the middle of a writer’s block…it’s tough! Glad you overcame it. Are you headed to TBEX Athens? We will be there in October. Have fun in Mexico, eat tons of tacos for me!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Raphael Alexander Zoren:
I love Mexico, my favorite country ever :) I will spend at least 3 weeks between Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum since the 6th till the 26th September for sure. Been there but there’s always new things to learn :)
Raphael Alexander Zoren
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I’m sure you’ll love Mexico! When are you going there? Let me know if you need any inside local information about the Mayan Riviera! :D