2020 manifesto. Instead of having a New Year’s resolution, the past 8 years, I’ve been living by these lists of MORE and LESS.

2019 was an adventure.

Being a freelancer has allowed me flexibility which I am truly grateful for. We spent a month in the Philippines where we learned to SCUBA with friends. We swam, snorkelled and dived with sea turtles. We island hopped and visited countless beaches and waterfalls. There, we celebrated 10 years of marriage.

When we got back, we adopted two rabbits from the SPCA. Both were found in different parts of Auckland and surrendered to the SPCA where they fell in love. Two very different personalities but super sweet in their own way. Kobe and Bento give us so much happiness. A worthwhile investment.

We spent another month in Mexico (and Cuba). We witnessed Mexico City during Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), we travelled to the culinary (and some say cultural) capital of Mexico, Oaxaca. We visited Havana and Viñales in Cuba. Havana wasn’t really for me, though I left a piece of my heart in Viñales. I celebrated my 36th birthday. We returned to Mexico, hired a car and cruised through Tulum and her neighbours, visiting cenotes, ruins and eating our weight in tacos.

There was once a time we traveled overseas regularly. But we took a long break from travel. I didn’t own a current passport for years. But after a 7 year hiatus, we crammed a lot in the last 12 months. It’s been rad.

Even with two whole months away this year, I’ve managed to complete even more work than the previous year. To achieve this, I’ve been working 7 days a week. I had a light at the end of the tunnel. Travel. I don’t think I could work so much without the promise of time off. However, I don’t want to work THAT much. I hope to improve this in 2020. I am reclaiming my weekend. Whether it’s Saturday and Sunday or some other two days each week, I’d like to switch off more. It’s been over three years since I decided to go full time freelance and I’m happy I made that decision. Freelance life isn’t for everyone but I’ve loved making it work for me.

I’ve stepped back from blogging. Instagram seems to be more popular these days. Even for recipes.

Looking forward to 2020, there is a big change ahead. I’m scared, sure. But change is good. Pushing new boundaries, learning new things, that is how we grow.

What are you looking forward to in 2020? What are you working towards?