I think I’m done with holiday parties and Christmas songs but never the treats. I don’t know about you, but come the end of December, I’m ready for the new year. I promise I’m not a scrooge! December was chock-full of family and friend gatherings along with gifts I’m loving. Here’s a look:

1 . New travelin’ gear

This Christmas was a cheery one with warm family time and way too much caramel corn. It also meant some fun, new travel gear. I got Sperry’s version of duck boots. They’re durable enough for cobblestone walking and cute enough for street wear — and they’re lined with memory foam! These will accompany me to Europe in 2019, and I’m only a smidge stoked. I also found a backpack-meets-cross-body purse from Gap, and I can’t stop switching the straps around because it’s just so darn fun.

2 . Rest, rest, rest

To be honest, rest has never come easy to me.  I feel a constant pressure to be productive; vacation is tough for me.  But the end-of-semester rush meets a quiet break.  It’s given me the opportunity to be lazy, sleep in, spend time with family and just be.

3 . Goals

New year, new me. I’m not a big one for huge resolutions just for the sake of December 31, but I have set some goals for myself, and the first regards meal planning. Let’s just say there’s a reason this isn’t a food blog. My gluten intolerance limits my options, and my tendency to become hangry means I have little patience for making an elaborate meal. This year I’d like to branch out from eating pasta three times per week; instead, I hope to improve my meal prepping.

I’ve already joined a gym and go pretty regularly, but I’m hoping to diversify with some new exercise classes and more rowing.

Most importantly, I want to work more on being instead of doing. My productive mentality makes it oh-so difficult to rest, which doesn’t seem like a big deal. That’s great, right? But in actuality, it makes it difficult to be fully present. My mind is constantly swimming with what’s next, but this year I want to work on being 110 percent in the moment.

The quote I’m focusing on is one from Jim Elliot: “Wherever you are, be all there.”

4 . What’s next for Round Trip

Sometimes you want just a little more whether that’s the bottom of the ice-cream bowl or the snooze button on a Monday morning. If you’re looking for more travel, sign up for my newsletter. And starting in 2019, I’m adding a monthly travel freebie if you sign up. It’ll be additional content you can’t find on my blog such as a printable travel planner, playlist or packing list. Click the banner to sign up:

If you want to play an important part in shaping content for Round Trip in 2019, take my survey. I’d so appreciate it!

5 . Mini trip to Chicago

Who says you have to travel for months at a time? This blitz of a trip to Chicago lasted one day, but it was still a great getaway with epic views of the city nightlife and mouth-watering Italian food. Oh, and I dished all the deets.

What are you celebrating about 2018? What are you looking forward to in 2019? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!