Reflections on 2016

It's been one... something of a year.

2016 was something of a gargantuan cluster for most everyone around the world. When you list off all the happenings around the world in 2016, it's hard to believe all that chaos fit into 12 months. It really seemed like one massively disturbing or heartbreaking event after another. The trending memes about this year hit home all too well.

Aside from the global events that affected us all, this has personally been a very eventful year for me, filled over the brim-- not just bad or good, but chock full of both. My father passed away from liver cancer, my family dealing with the aftermath of that, my management of my unpredictable autoimmune issues, a long-distance relationship, best friends getting engaged, my sister getting married and now expecting her first little girl (I'm going to be an auntie!), my first full year managing my own business and experiencing all the learning curves of being an entrepreneur.

I talked about all this a bit more in detail in my autumn reflections post, but the reason I bring this all up again though is that amidst all the crazy and eventful, SO very much happened this year that I am grateful for. And a whole lot of good in the world that tends to get overlooked in the heyday of the negativity-- Google put out a beautiful video reminding us about it too. 

One of the main things that I am over-the-moon grateful for, is the amount of travel I got to experience this year and new places I got to soak up with my eyes and heart. Not everyone is so lucky to have done this much, and I know I am very fortunate to have been able to experience and learn what I have this year. 

So in the spirit of closing 2016 off on a grateful note, I wanted to share with you guys some travel photos I love from this past year-- most of which I haven't yet shared on the blog. Everything from my home of New York City, to upstate, up and down the California coast, Napa, San Francisco, LA, Austin, Dallas, Maine, Seattle, and Chicago-- I wanted to share little highlights from my heart with you guys, and give you previews of some guides coming soon!

Thank you all, SO very much for following along and sharing this space with others. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me. I began Living Minnaly as a representation of the authentic kind of life I hope to inspire others to lead, as I strive to do the same. The kind of life that is full of taking chances, overcoming fears, gratitude, heart, and one that is ever growing and ever learning. I am so looking forward to see what this next year brings for us all.

Wishing you all a wonderful, healthy, safe, and joyful New Year, filled with much love, great company, and laughter!