OUTDOORS | Highlights From 2018 – A Year Of Change, Turmoil & Growth

December 27, 2018 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Activities, camping news, Homepage Feature

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At this time of year I tend to take a look backwards in order to remind myself of all the positive experiences I’ve had, before pondering and setting intentions for the coming year. Here are some of my highlights from 2018.

I’ve never been one for new year’s resolutions, but I like to think I’m always growing and learning and despite my focus last year being on health and wellbeing, I’ve decided that 2019 will follow a similar theme, but with greater focus on the cultivation of personal inner peace and happiness.

2018 – A Year Of Big Personal Change

2018 proved to be another trying year, particularly from a personal perspective and after a lifetime of living in a family home with my daughter and partner, the past year has been very different.

My daughter moved out and bought her own home, my long-term relationship came to an end and a short-lived toxic relationship came to an abrupt end back in the summer, meaning I finished the year living alone for the first time in my life.

Lonliness is something I think people can be ashamed of admitting to feeling, but I’ve been quite open about how I feel. I find the experience of getting home from work and having no one to talk to; no one to ask about their day or tell about my own, and no one to laugh with or take care of quite difficult.

Self help and inner work to help me cope positively with change

This sense of loneliness has come as a surprise to me, as I’ve always been happy to do things on my own and consider myself to be highly independent. I have a lot of amazing friends all over the country (though none that live close by) and whilst I’m always busy and have plenty of different hobbies to keep me both active and occupied, I’m finding that none of these things is helping to assuage the pervasive feeling of loneliness.

As well as being independent, I am also adaptable and am not one to fear change, Indeed I actively embrace it, so I know that in time I’ll get used to living alone, but in the meantime I’m not going to pretend that I find it easy or enjoyable.

I’ve decided to reframe things and focus on cultivating inner pace and happiness which I hope in time will lead to a greater feeling of contentment.

All the energy I’ve spent my entire life putting into ensuring other people are happy and cared for, I plan to direct at myself, so the coming year is one I intend to make all about me.

With this new ‘me’ focus in mind, I’ve already tried several new things and have made plans and bookings for the new year, from Reiki and yoga sessions to group guided walking meditations, glamping breaks and theatre visits and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how 2019 turns out.

A Few Highlights From 2018

1. Gaining My PADI Certification

Gaining my PADI scuba diver certification and diving with nurse sharks in Cozumel, Mexico was perhaps the biggest highlight of the year. I took my daughter away for a week of well deserved relaxation and though I’d not planned to do it, she knew I’d always wanted to and talked me into going for it and I’m so glad that I did.

2. Outdoor Bloggers Annual Meet Up

Getting together with like-minded people is always a joy and a group of us meet up once a year for a weekend of camping and walking. This year we spent a few days up in the North York Moors and I had a wonderful time.

3. Besties Summer Camping Trip

Each year a few of us head to our favourite campsite, Cae Du in Wales to spend a few days together chilling, crafting, walking and generally just enjoying each others company. I had a wonderful swim in the sea and the weather was utterly glorious, making it a perfect few days with some of my favourite people.

Find out more.

Cae Du summer camping trip with friends

4. Walking In The Highlands

At Easter I headed up to the Scottish Highlands for what has become my annual glamping and walking trip. This year I chose Loch Katrine Eco Lodges as my base for a few days and enjoyed lots of walking and exploring in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park.

5. Whitby Goth Weekend

I made another annual pilgramage up to Whitby for a weekend of dressing up, dancing, drinking and dining in the beautiful seaside town of Whitby. We booked a cottage and had a fantastically fun time.

A weekend break with friends in Whitby

6. Redescovering My Love Of Music

As a child I taught myself to read music and to play the piano…but then I discovered boys and raves and well, the whole music thing fell by the wayside. With more time on my hands, it’s given me the opportunity to redescover some of the things I used to enjoy, and playing piano is one of them. I’m truly terrible I should stress, but I enjoy it, and it’s something I’m going to persist with in the coming year.

7. A Family Weekend On The Coast

For my sisters 40th I booked us a beautiful huge holiday house overlooking the sea and spent a few days with my family celebrating. We enjoyed some wonderful coastal walks as well as lots of great food and merry making!

A family walk on the coast in Angelsey

8. Private Hot Tub Glamping In The Brecon Beacons

One of my favourite glamping stays during the year was with Wigwam Holidays in the Brecon Beacons. The private wood-fired hot tub was a true delight, and I went walking and kayaking and had a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days.

Read about it here.

Wigwam Holidays Brecon Beacons

Closing Thoughts For 2018

As usual, I’d like to use my last blog of 2018 to thank my friends, family, readers and followers for continuing to support Camping with Style.

I’m hugely grateful for the positive feedback I get and knowing that the things I write about resonnate with a wider audience, is extremely rewarding, so thank you all.

I wish you nothing but love, health and happiness in 2019.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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