2022: Year in Review

Although time marches on, (almost) as evenly as always, I feel as if I’m sitting down to write this post sooner each year.

If you’re new around here, at the end of every year I like to sit down and reflect on the past twelve months in an exercise of gratitude and growth. Before moving forward into a new year, I think it’s important to stop and look backward, to slow down and really get grounded, to focus on what matters most in the moment, and examine where there is room for change.

Although the lines blur between these categories more and more with each passing month, today I’m looking back at 2022 under the lenses of life, travel, and this blog. I’ve missed pulling back the curtain in this space (since I usually save personal notes for my newsletter). Care to take a walk through the year with me?

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LIFE

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When creating a list of intentions for 2022, I was careful to only share with Michael that this would be my year of saying yes. After two years of having to say “no” to everything, I wanted to make sure I spent the better part of 2022 making up for lost time (that being said, I didn’t want to tempt the universe by putting this intention out in the world in my New Year’s post at the start of this year!). Little did I know I would be saying yes to the question back in August. Our engagement probably came as a surprise only to me, but I am cherishing this time together – a time we’ll only ever have once.

As for the rest of my 2022 intentions, well, I’ve been feeling sentimental lately for the days of old-school personal blogging, so bear with me as I share my thoughts on each here:

Find my calling | Admittedly this is still a work in progress, but I think I’m getting closer. This year I took a part-time job to be able to generate a more steady income while continuing to devote a significant portion of my time to developing this blog. When I launched this blog, I never considered for even a moment that it could be a source of income, and thus didn’t take a lot of the necessary steps to position it as a business from the start. I’ve spent a good portion of 2022 backtracking instead of writing. But when I stop to consider whether I’d enjoy writing or generating travel content for someone else as a career, I realize that I’d much rather be doing all of these things for myself on my own platform.

Reduce further | This intention was all about using up the number of consumable goods I’d acquired over the past couple of years. I’ve definitely made some progress and established systems for using things (routinely noting foods that are set to expire soon and making a point to eat them ASAP, using up beauty samples as soon as they arrive in the house, not holding on to excess packaging, etc.); while I’m not quite where I want to be, I’m much closer than at the start of the year.

Move daily | Some health issues throughout the year made this one incredibly difficult at times. I’m starting to see some improvements, and hope to return to this goal in 2023.

Make/repair | Well, I’ve got the knitting portion down-pat (I may be knitting too many things, to tell the truth), but I haven’t been enticed by my sewing machine as much this year. I have a stack of repairs still sitting in the closet, so maybe this is the kick in the pants I need to actually do it.

Explore home | Nailed it. I mean, looking back we visited so many new places in our region this year – which brings me to the next topic…

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TRAVEL

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For 2022 I prioritized traveling locally to explore destinations across the Southeast, with just a few flyaway trips here and there. Michael and I zipped all over North Carolina, from the mountains to the beach and many places in between. We managed to visit all of our neighboring states: Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. And, naturally, we spent a lot of time right here in Charlotte, finally getting the chance to immerse ourselves in our (now-not-so-new) home city. Beyond our backyard, we spent a lovely week in Mexico eating the most incredible food and meeting the kindest people. We also visited a destination many told us not to bother with, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And, heck – I even won a free trip and enjoyed the more relaxed pace. Although 2022 was a much slower travel year than we’re used to, I relished getting to know the Carolinas a little more closely (that being said: watch out, skies, in 2023!).

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BLOG

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I typically feel uncomfortable talking about my achievements, but I am proud of how I’ve grown the blog this year. Despite taking a year-and-a-half off and only returning at the end of last year, wayward saw the largest number of visitors in 2022 (so far, I hope!). In dusting off this blog and refreshing old content, I’ve started to focus on my time and recognize my efforts here as labor. Not in the negative sense, but instead as something that holds value. The time, energy, and yes, money, I spend on this site generates revenue for the brands and destinations I feature here (doubly so if it’s something I’ve purchased), and so you may have noticed the occasional partnership posts here and there to offset the costs of my time (regardless of the content, each post here takes a minimum of two hours to research, write, photograph, and edit – but travel guides can take fifteen hours or more). I’m grateful for your trust and understanding and will continue to keep these posts balanced with other organic content; no matter what, I’ll continue to write openly and honestly.

Most-Read Posts

If you’re not in this industry, you may not be aware that it takes time for a blog post to pick up traction – unlike social media with its quick-hit virality that sizzles and fades, blogging is a practice in patience, publishing articles and waiting for the Google gods to smile down on you. Once they do, traffic steadily follows for years (which is why I encourage creators and brands to not rely solely on social media – but that’s a story for another day). All of this to say – my most-read posts in 2022 were not all published in 2022:

1. Home Page | Classic.
2. How to Pack the Away Carry On (2018) | A helpful guide for new and experienced travelers alike!
3. Away Everywhere Bag Review (2022) | A thorough review of this trusty sidekick.
4. Dining at Pujol (2019) | Although we all want to know how much things cost, no one likes to talk about it (well, I do, at least).
5. 2022 Carowinds Guide (2022) | This makes me most excited because it means you’re coming to my city, which I love so much.
6. Away Packing Cubes Review (2018) | The people love Away, I get it.
7. 2022 Universal Standard Mystery Boxes (2022) | And the people love to spoil a good mystery.
8. How to Split Travel Costs When One Person Makes More Money (2019) | More money talk! It makes me so happy to see this post getting some love.
9. 10 Things Everyone Should Know Before They Visit Florida (2019) | 50% joking, 50% real advice, 100% humidity.
10. Travel Guide: Roanoke, Virginia (2022) | This one made the rounds on Facebook (and made me question whether Facebook is as irrelevant as I thought…).

Most-Read Posts from 2022

It’s always interesting to see what content you loved from this year as I’m planning ahead for the next:

1. Away Everywhere Bag Review | Out of everything, this was the most popular post of the year, and I think I’m okay with that?
2. 2022 Carowinds Guide | Is 2023 here yet? There are so many cool developments happening in the park next year – I can’t wait to cover them.
3. 2022 Universal Standard Mystery Boxes | (I hope you got what you wanted!).
4. Travel Guide: Roanoke, Virginia | I desperately wanted to reveal our engagement in this post, you have no idea!
5. Cuyana Classic Leather Zipper Tote Review | Sadly this tote isn’t going to be in production much longer; I’m glad people are snapping it up while they can.
6. All of my Travel Bags | I don’t know why it took so long for me to share all of the bags I travel with, but it was clearly time.
7. Everlane Review: The Daytripper Shirtdress, The Italian Leather Tourist Heel, The Linen Way-High Drape Pant, and The Cactus Leather Hobo | 2022 saw a series of Everlane reviews, and this travel-inspired collection was a favorite.
8. Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set Review (Four Year Update) | As time goes on, I’m excited to be able to share updates on the products I use heavily.
9. Everlane Review: The Curvy Way-High Jean, The Japanese GoWeave Slip Dress, The Eyelet Puff Sleeve Top, The Way-High Canvas Short, The A-Line Denim Short, The Clean Silk Short-Sleeve Square Shirt | These were fun to shoot, so I’m glad people are reading!
10. Packing List: Guadalajara, Mexico | Sharing weekend packing lists is fun and all, but I really love stretching my packing muscles and sharing a packing list for a longer getaway like this.

Most Popular Products

I don’t think I’ve ever shared this category before, but here’s a look at what wayward readers were shopping in 2022:

1. Universal Standard’s Mystery Boxes | I was blown away by the fanaticism for this sale at first, but I get it. There are so few brands offering truly inclusive sizing, so when there’s a chance to score items in your size at a steep discount, you have to snap it up – even if the products are a mystery.
2. Reusable Quart Bag | I, too, love a budget find! This baggie contains all my mini bottles and can be used over and over again.
3. Leather Travel Case Set, Cuyana | With two reviews on the site (the original, and the four-year update), I feel like I’ve written about as much as I can possibly write on these two travel bags – but it’s clear you love them!
4. Everywhere Bag, Away | This air travel-ready bag is a favorite of mine – and apparently a favorite of readers (find a full review here).
5. Everyday Chelsea Boot, Nisolo [save 20% with code WAYWARDBLOG or use stacking code WAYWARDEXTRA on top of any high-value codes from the brand] | I wrote about my experience traveling for five straight days in these boots here, and haven’t taken them off (okay, that’s a slight exaggeration but I wear them a lot!).
6. Folding Panama Hat, Cuyana | I purchased this hat in my quest for a packable hat, but I think it’s time for an update as they’ve changed up the style a little bit. Have you purchased one of these recently? What are your thoughts?
7. Linen Way-High Drape Pant, Everlane | Everlane’s Way-High Drape series has been a hit this year (I feel like I see them everywhere – including my closet!). This linen pair is cool and comfortable.
8. Carry On, Away | With 2022’s lost luggage debacles, it’s understandable that readers are seeking ways to travel light.
9. Rowena Swing Dress, wool& | Interestingly enough I don’t actually own this item – but I mentioned it in my review of one of the brand’s other dresses (the one where I got stranded for six days in the same dress) and it’s one of their most popular pieces. Plus, it has pockets!
10. Alpaca Cardigan, Quince | This is a new addition to my wardrobe (so new, in fact, I’ve only just finished shooting images for a review – which is now available), but it’s left a good impression on you, apparently.

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I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that’s a wrap on 2022! I am so grateful to have had you by my side this year, and I’m looking forward to hearing about all the places you’ll go in 2023. But for now, I’d love to hear about your 2022. Did you accomplish everything you set out to do? Travel anywhere fun? Have a restorative year at home? Let me know!