As I sit down to think through goals for 2023, I’m actually pausing to reflect on 2022. I rarely write a personal blog but thought it’d be a great way to start the new year. And since I’m terrible at celebrating wins, no matter how big or small, I’m kicking off with a fresh Lori mindset and sharing details for the very first time.
Thank You
I had big goals for aBroad purpose in 2022, and although I didn’t reach them all, I’m quite proud of my little slice of the internet.
Every time I question myself if the blog is truly helping like-minded movers and travelers like me, I hear from one of you and it reignites my passion to write more and keep growing. So thank you all so much who took the time to message me, follow me, join the newsletter, or comment on a post. It means so much.
Thank you so much Lori – this advice is incredible and far better than anything I’ve managed to find online so far. – Laura, USA
I just wanted to thank you for your weblog. Because I’ve been trying to figure out how the heck to shop Porttery Barn…well, again thank you. I downloaded TunnelBear and actually got to order a few things. – Sara, UK
I love your newsletter and this workbook looks awesome. We actually are looking at Portugal as well as the UK to move to. I thought this book, not all mind you, but the bones would be a good guideline. Moving is a big consideration and your newsletter has opened my eyes to a lot of things already. – Christina , USA
Top 5 2022 Blog Wins Worth Celebrating
I might even pop open some champagne:
- Added a second product for sale on the blog: the Moving To England Workbook. Together the Expat Negotiation Kit and the Moving Workbook achieved 32 sales.
- The Queen’s Jubilee skyrocketed traffic on June 1, reaching the blog’s best-performing day ever at 5,400 pageviews. This contributed to making May 2022 the highest page view month at 45K, with December 2022 falling short by only 700.
- Although the above stats didn’t allow me to reach my Mediavine goal, I did convert to Monumetric which is a +200% improvement over Adsense.
- In 2022, sessions increased by 32% and the blog surpassed 1,000,000 page views (all time).
What the above translates to is a huge reminder that I’ve been helping a whole lot of people. I know my mom would be so proud if she were here for me to tell her about it. ♥️
2022 Personal & Family Goal Reflections
On a personal goal front, I failed miserably to complete my Tunnocks cross-stitch pillow that was a repatriation gift from my dear British friend in 2020 (yes, it appears cross-stitching isn’t a natural talent) BUT I did manage to hit my volunteer goals.
Both my kids managed to bring report cards home with all As for the first time ever in 2022, and my son is thriving in club soccer after a challenging 2021. Joining a football club in England may have changed my son’s choice of sport forever, but I’ll find out soon enough when he experiences Texas High School football as a freshman in fall 2023.
Speaking of Texas High School, 2022 brought a few opportunities to potentially relocate overseas again. Despite my husband and I’s best efforts to butter them up at a fancy sushi location in the Houston Heights, the rejection of moving overseas during high school years was pretty clear. For now, the kids are safe…
Home was split in 2022 between Maine for the summer and Texas for the rest. Neither are perfect states when it comes to living – floods are imminent in both locations and freezing pipes are a new annual treat in Texas, too. We managed to get through 2022 with only a few frozen Texas pipes, 1 Texas laundry room flood, and 2 minor Maine floods. On the flip side, we completed a big construction project in Maine and perhaps 2023 will result in finally purchasing a boat. Winning!
2022 Travel Goals
Travel in 2022 ranged from visiting local to new and familiar destinations abroad:
- Round Top, TX
- Waco, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Orlando, FL
- St Albans, London, & Isle of Wight
- Lisbon, Sintra & Cascais Portugal
- Maine
- Atlanta, GA
- New York, NY
- (And I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten a few)
While visiting local always opens my eyes to the natural beauty so abundantly accessible, our return visit to England filled our hearts. Seeing friends and our kids with their friends after leaving so abruptly in 2020 was exactly the trip we needed in 2022.
Health Woes In 2022
Healthwise 2022 brought some interesting obstacles that my husband and I hope to not repeat in 2023. We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary in September n the hospital while he underwent achilles heel surgery, and just as he was released from his boot in mid-December, I broke my arm ice skating with my kids. Despite the injuries, we still keep going, and I have no doubt that won’t change in 2023.
Celebrating NYE 2022 at Burn Valley Lodge, Bastrop, Tx
2023 Is Shaping Up
Despite the arm cast and ongoing physical therapy between my hubs and I, there are indeed a few things on my 2023 radar:
- Skiing Park City, Utah
- Hiking the Grand Canyon
- Crazy family road trip back to Maine
- Maybe Spain….
- (help me fill in the blank)
I could keep going on about everywhere I want to go and what I want for the blog, but there’s one thing I know for sure. I look forward to 2023 and wherever my journey takes me. I’m grateful to all of you, for supporting me along the way, and for reading this right now.
Onward and upward 2023!
