Well, we did it. We made it to ten years with Jamaica My Way! Thanks to all of you who have hung on this long and continued to read and follow my adventures around our beloved island!
Jamaica is the longest committed relationship I’ve ever been in….and sadly….the island and I have decided on a long term breakup. My last journey in May 2018, couldn’t have been a more incredible high note to go out on. But my heart just isn’t in it anymore. I’ve traveled the island SO far and wide, and written SO many stories – 505 of them to be exact - that I feel like there are no more stories to write….on this blog.
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In case you haven’t noticed yet, the last story I wrote was a whopping FIVE months ago. Never in the history of this blog, has that happened before. The Facebook page has suffered too. I haven’t posted on there since September, yet people just keep on joining. I wonder if they’re bored yet?
Over the last few years of my travels in Jamaica, the parts that I have loved the most were a clear indicator how my TRUE values have shifted. In the beginning it was the notoriety, the story telling, the hype life, etc. In the last few years the true love has been in the moments when I sat all alone, or with a good friend, watching a sunset in a remote location. THAT is what made my heart sing. It was the exceptional friends, acquaintances, and business relationships I made…..the ones that I know will still be there when I decide to return. And the ones who will still be my “online” friends whether I’m blogging about Jamaica or not.
And hands down, my FAVORITE part about this blog over the last ten years were the reviews. I can’t describe how satisfying it has been uncovering unique, wonderful, and sometimes not wonderful places, to share with you guys. If I could make that my life’s paid work, that’s what I’d choose to do. As someone who works in the hospitality industry, combining my work experience with my travel experience has been very rewarding.
What have I been doing since my last trip?
For starters, I’ve been working two jobs, six days a week – on purpose. Only insane people choose to live this way LOL. But there’s a purpose behind everything I do so I’ll leave it at that.
Launching a business – I’m experimenting with something completely different. An online e-commerce business that will allow me to be location independent and give me some freedom.
Focusing on family – Needs no explanation. As we mature we hold our families closer and priorities change.
Becoming a recluse – I love my little home and I’ve been spending a lot of time enjoying it. With two jobs and a start-up business under way, home is where I love to kick back and take the time I need to rejuvenate.
Enjoying living for ME – As much as I’ve enjoyed sharing my travel life with you guys I’m being selfish now and enjoying living for me. Having said that, I think I’ll enjoy traveling just for me as well. Not everything needs a blog story.
Dating!!! This is harder than it sounds when your heart lies in a different country! I was always one foot out the door because of travel but now I’m actually putting an honest effort into meeting men in my own country because lord knows, I’m not into financing a relationship in another country. 😀
Eating some kale – I just threw that in there because….kale.
Booking trips to other destinations – Having traveled to Jamaica so many times I lost count (36+ times) I feel like my other travel desires have suffered. Since I’m not rich and had to choose one or the other, I always chose Jamaica and I need to stop and smell some other flowers out there. 2019 holds some new adventures for me and I couldn’t be happier!
What have I learned on this journey?
How much value I currently place on myself, which is exponentially higher than what it used to be.
How much value others do (or don’t) place on me and what I do. The few DO’s easily replace the don’ts.
I’ve lost friends who didn’t see the value in what I’ve been doing or have done for them. BYE!
I’ve made far more friends than I lost. Those are the ones I choose to focus on and move forward with.
I’ve learned a lot about business by giving my talents away for free. Ouch. That was a painful one but….I did it to myself.
And lastly, I’ve learned that we change and grow, and we’re ALLOWED to do that. Life is all about growth and if you don’t learn anything then what is it all for?
Having said all that…..
I don’t think I owe anyone an explanation but I do owe you guys a farewell. You’ve been kind enough to stick with Jamaica My Way for so long that I didn’t want to keep you hanging. If I’m ever in Jamaica again (of course I’ll be there again!), it’ll be on the downlow and on my own terms. The people who I want to connect with will know and there (probably) won’t be any blog stories to accompany my travels.
These last fifteen years of Jamaica travel and ten years of blogging have been extremely rewarding, soul-changing, and WORTH IT. Travel and Jamaica have changed my life immensely and I’m thankful for all that this journey has taught me about myself, others, and life in general.
Thank you all for being diehard fans over the years!!
It’s time to say OVER AND OUT!
(God that felt good!!!)
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