Happy New Year!
Crazy that this is my 3rd New Year this year lol and it’s the third one I’ll basically be doing nothing… which honestly I prefer.
To me, New Year’s is the worst holiday and it always leaves me feeling disappointed. But I guess 3rd time’s a charm because this time I really do feel reborn.
On December 31st, I spent the evening at a music festival alone because my friends bailed last minute and I was already committed. It was alright, but music festivals are always better with friends. Also, I felt so old and exhausted; my legs had given out an hour in, and I was that girl sitting on the ground in VIP. I just couldn’t do it!!
My 2nd New Year of the year was in Bali, celebrating Nyepi where I was mandated (and so was everyone else) to stay inside because it’s a day of reflection. After a lot of travel and an insanely hectic 48 hours, Nyepi was exactly what I needed.
Now, this is my 3rd New Year celebration this year and I’m in Cambodia. Currently, in the coastal city of Sihanoukville because there were no more buses available to take me to my next destination, Siem Reap.
This celebration is different from Bali’s because people are partying, and you’re encouraged to be raging in the streets. People are shooting water guns, throwing paint, and baby powder, and it looks like it could be fun, but I’m just not in the mood.
Last night, my final night on Koh Rong (full blog post coming soon), I stumbled upon a hostel party called Nestival and decided to have myself a night, and I did indeed.
I pulled up to the party with a backpack because I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and after a couple of drinks, I decided that I could hide the backpack in a bush and keep my valuables on my body (phone, wallet, key).
A few more drinks in and suddenly my hotel key was GONE. I spent about 30 minutes retracing my steps and repeatedly asking the bar if anyone had turned in a key. The answer was definitively “no,” so I figured it was a future problem and got another drink.
My new friends and I danced and laughed and drank and watched fire dancing and had such a fun time.
After my flirt for the night started asking for a little too much, I decided it was my time to go.
To be honest, I feel pretty out of place at these hostels. I feel old as fuck. Granted I’m only 27, but these hostels are primarily 18-24-year-olds, and as soon as they start drinking, people get wild. And when I say wild, I mean like talks of orgies. I’m good on the chlamydia. Thanks!
**Note* Not all hostels are like this! But the party ones are just a bunch of horned-up teens and I’m not interested. If you are, you’ll love it and I fully support you to live your dream, go crazy!! I thought the hook-up culture in America was bad but I guess it’s a worldwide phenomenon, who knew?*
My future problem of figuring out my room situation was coming up fast, but first I had to make it the 3km back to my resort because if I was going to have to sleep on the beach, it would be at my resort, not outside a party hostel full of crazy kids.
I made it home safe and sound, and unfortunately, the night security didn’t have a key to my room, but luckily for me, they had a key to an open room, so I didn’t have to sleep in the sand!!
I did, however, take my butt to the ocean and decided to swim a few hours in the bioluminescence.
I can’t begin to explain to you how magical it is to swim in an ocean that glows with movement. I’ll touch more on it in my Koh Rong blog piece.
Anyway, back to me spending New Year’s alone.
I took this trip to build a hotel content portfolio so I can guarantee I turn travel into a career. I took this trip to challenge myself, push my boundaries, work hard, and tune into my soul. I took this trip because I was fed up with living the same experience over and over again. Spending a lot of money on mediocrity again and again. I didn’t feel like I was living. I was just existing. But I’d rather be dead than just ‘exist.’ I didn’t come on this trip to party, and while that will still happen from time to time, I have stuck with my intentions, and I have to say I’m killing it!
My portfolio looks amazing, I’m becoming a better creator day by day, I’m hearing back from more hotels, and I’m getting free stays, free meals, and free spa treatments. I’ve been trying new foods, having crazy experiences, networking, and growing into my best version.
I’m doing what I said I was going to do. I talked about it and now I’m fully making it happen.
Tonight I’m staying in, writing some blog pieces, pitching hotels, researching activities and next places to visit, editing some photos and videos, and doing some yoga.
I am tuned the fuck in and I couldn’t be more proud.
Cheers to my 3rd New Year of 2024. The New Me keeps getting better by the day.